Audio-Visual & Production Design Flashcards

In professional event video production, what does 'SDI' stand for?

Answer: Serial Digital Interface

SDI stands for Serial Digital Interface, a professional standard for transmitting uncompressed digital video over coaxial cable, widely used in broadcast and live event production.

In event staging, what is the purpose of 'masking'?

Answer: To hide technical equipment, rigging, and backstage areas from audience view

Masking uses black drape, fabric, or panels to conceal technical equipment, rigging structures, lighting positions, and backstage areas, maintaining a clean and professional appearance for the audience.

What does 'aspect ratio' refer to in event video projection?

Answer: The proportional relationship between the width and height of a projected video image

Aspect ratio is the proportional relationship between a video image's width and height (e.g., 16:9 widescreen), which determines how content must be designed and sized for proper display without distortion.

What is 'audio latency' in live event production and why is it a concern?

Answer: A processing delay between a sound being produced and heard through speakers, which can cause sync issues

Audio latency is the delay introduced by digital audio processing; in live events it can cause audible echoes or lip-sync problems when audience members near the stage hear both the live source and the delayed speaker output.

What is the function of a patch bay in professional audio production for events?

Answer: To provide a centralized panel for flexibly routing audio signals between pieces of equipment

A patch bay is a panel of sockets providing a centralized routing point for audio signals between equipment, allowing the audio team to quickly reconfigure signal flow without physically moving cables between devices.

In event lighting, what unit does 'lux' measure?

Answer: The illuminance, or amount of light falling on a surface per unit area

Lux measures illuminance—the amount of luminous flux per square meter falling on a surface—and is used to verify that a stage or venue area receives adequate, consistent lighting levels.

What is 'color temperature' in event lighting and how is it expressed?

Answer: The perceived warmth or coolness of a white light source, expressed in Kelvin (K)

Color temperature describes the hue appearance of a white light source measured in Kelvin; lower values (2700–3000K) produce warm, amber-white light, while higher values (5500–6500K) produce cool, blue-white daylight.