Technology / Television (TV) Glossary

Check Switch: Running a check switch procedure starts a series of tests in DISH Network satellite TV system receivers which confirms that a good signal connection between the receiver and the multi-sat di . . . View Full Definition

Chiaroscuro: A low-key lighting style, usually in reference to theatrical productions or the dark paintings of Rembrandt.

Chroma Key: An electronic special effects process, specific to video, making a single color (usually blue or green) transparent so that one image may be inserted into another--as in weather maps with a . . . View Full Definition

Chrominance: The level of saturation of a color: the color's purity, how much or little grayness is mixed with it.

Cinemascope: A widescreen, anamorphic film process with an aspect ratio of 2.35 to 1.

Cinematographer: The person overseeing all aspects of the film image--including lighting and the operation of the camera.

Cinematography: The process of making a film image, and the characteristics of the film image.

Clarke Belt: Named after its founder Arthur C. Clarke, the Clarke Belt is an orbit used by satellites at a height of 22,250 miles, in which satellites make an orbit in 24 hours, yet remain in a fixed pos . . . View Full Definition

Classical Hollywood Cinema: A conventional style of filmmaking with a particular model of narrative structure, editing technique, mise-en-scene, dialogue, music, etc. Narrative is presented in a clear cause-and-effect . . . View Full Definition

Classical Period: In the history of theatrical cinema, the 1920s-50s when the Hollywood studio system of film production held total power and evolved the classical style of filmmaking. In a genre's evolutiona . . . View Full Definition

Cliff Effect: A characteristic that causes DTV reception to deteriorate dramatically with a small change in signal reception. Unlike analog television where the picture gets ”snowey” and gradually disappe . . . View Full Definition

Close Miking: The positioning of a microphone very close to the performer's mouth--often used by radio and TV announcers.

Close-Up (Cu): A framing that presents a close view of an object or person--filling the frame and separating it or her or him from the surroundings. Conventionally, a TV close-up of a person is from the sh . . . View Full Definition

Closed Captioning: Text stream included in broadcast signal that provides narrative description of dialogue, action, sounds, and other elements of the picture. Most often used by the hearing impaired and in en . . . View Full Definition

Closure: Occurs when enigmas opened at the beginning of a program and throughout are resolved: all of the narrative's questions are answered. The opposite of aperture.

Clutter: Excessive amounts of advertising carried by media vehicles. Term refers to the total amount of advertising time and space and to its scheduling long strings of consecutive commercials for br . . . View Full Definition

Co-Op Advertising: TV advertising paid for jointly by a manufacturer and retailer.

Code: A set of rules: an historically and/or culturally based set of conventions.

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