AJA FS2 - Manual (Page 217)

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1080p Refers to a picture resolution of 1,920 vertical pixels by 1,080 horizontal pixels. The
“p” stands for progressive scanning. This format works on the same principle as
720p; the only difference is that in this type there are more pixels and the resolution
is better.
1080psf 1080psf differs from 1080p defined previously; PSF is an acronym for “Progressive
Segmented Frame”. Like 1080p, psf is progressive, but it differs in that the data is
written as two separate “fields” (but without inter-field motion as interlaced video
carries). This provides psf with the temporal motion characteristics of progressive
video, but with the data transport ease of interlaced video. There should be no
visual difference between the display of a progressive frame communicated as
1080p, and the same frame communicated as 1080psf.
16:9 Refers to the aspect ratio of movie screen and widescreen DTV formats used in all
HDTV (High Definition TV) and some SDTV (Standard Definition TV). The ratio is 16
arbitrary units of width for every 9 arbitrary units of height.
4:3 The aspect ratio of traditional National Television Systems Committee (NTSC) TV
screens. The ratio refers to four units of width for every three units of height.
720p Refers to a picture that is 1,280 vertical pixels by 720 horizontal pixels. The “p” stands
for progressive scanning. Progressive scanning offers a smoother picture as 720
horizontal lines are scanned progressively or in succession in a vertical frame
repeated 30 times a second.
Anamorphic
video Refers to video images that are “squeezed” or “stretched” (depending on whether
the video is being Upconverted or Downconverted) to fit a video frame. When 16:9
anamorphic video is displayed on a 4:3 screen size (Downconvert), the images will
appear unnaturally tall and narrow.
Aspect ratio A ratio of screen width to height. It may be traditional 4:3 or 16:9 widescreen.
ATSC An acronym for Advanced Television Systems Committee, which is responsible for
developing and establishing Digital-HDTV Standards. It is also the name of the DTV
system used by broadcasters in the U.S.
Barn Doors When a 4:3 image is viewed on a 16:9 screen, the viewer sees black bars on the sides
of the screen, sometimes referred to as “barn doors.”
Codec A short term used for both “Compressor-decompressor” and “Coder-decoder.” In
terms of Final Cut Pro and most editing and graphics applications, codec generally
means “Compressor-decompressor”, which, whether hardware or software,
converts video and audio signals to and from a compressed digital format. (“Coder-
decoder” is generally a device that converts analog video and audio signals into a