| | Definition: | | When an analog master videotape is duplicated, the second-generation copy is usually inferior in some way to the master. This degradation appears as loss of detail, improper colors, sync loss, etc. Limited frequency response of audio/video magnetic tape and imperfections in electronic circuitry are the main causes of generation loss. Higher performance formats (such as 1-inch) exhibit much less generation loss than more basic formats. Digital formats make generation loss negligible because each copy is essentially an exact duplicate of the original. Video enhancing equipment can minimize generation loss. Some video processors pre-enhance the video signal to overcome generation loss. |
Video Dictionary