Sony 1500AP User Manual

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Glossary
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S/N
Abbreviation of Signal-to-Noise 
(ratio). The higher the S/N value, the 
less noise and higher the picture 
quality.
Search mode
A VCR operating mode used when 
searching for specific scenes, by 
viewing the video output or time code 
values while playing back the tape at 
various speeds in forward or reverse 
direction.
Servo lock
Synchronizing the drum rotation 
phase and tape transport phase with a 
reference signal during playback and 
recording so that the video heads scan 
the tape in the same pattern during 
playback and recording.
Standby Off mode
One of two conditions in the stop 
mode. The drum does not rotate and 
tape is slackened. There is no damage 
to the video heads and the tape, but 
the VCR is not ready for immediate 
recording or playback.
Standby On mode
One of two conditions in the stop 
mode. The drum is rotating and the 
tape is wrapped round the drum. The 
VCR is ready for recording or 
playback, so a still picture can be 
obtained.
Subcarrier
A sine wave imposed on the 
luminance portion of a video signal 
and modulated to carry color 
information. Its amplitude represents 
color saturation and its phase 
represents hue.
Superimpose
To put a set of characters onto a 
picture so that both can be seen at the 
same time.
S-video
A signal format in which Y 
(luminance) and C (chrominance) 
signals are separated to reduce 
interference between them so that 
noiseless images are reproduced.
Sync signal
A reference signal consisting of 
vertical and horizontal sync signals 
used for synchronizing the scanning 
patterns of the video camera and the 
monitor.
TBC
Abbreviation of Time Base 
Corrector. Electronic circuits to 
electrically stabilize the playback 
signals by removing color variation 
and roll in the playback picture 
caused by irregularity in drum 
rotation and tape movement. Time 
base correction reduces deterioration 
of picture quality when transmitting 
or copying playback signals.
Threading
See “Loading.
Time code
Signals recorded on the tape to 
supply information on tape position 
such as the hour, minute, second and 
frame, to assist in setting edit points 
or searching for particular scenes.
Unloading
When the EJECT button is pressed, 
the VCR automatically winds the 
tape back into the cassette case. Also 
called “Unthreading.”
User bits
Sections of time code information 
consisting of a total of 32 bits that can 
be used for recording information 
such as date, tape ID number, 
program ID number, etc.