TV Terminology

Hi,
I'm steadily moving into more TV, having come from a background of radio. I've been browsing the forums, and notice a lot of reference to 'astons'. What are these? Are they the graphics? I understand the meaning of 'beds', as these are also used in radio for things like traveland so on. However, I'd like to know more TV terminology. Can anyone direct me to a list?
Thanks,

Don't know of any links to terminology, but i'm sure your employer in TV will have a booklet for newcomers...

'Aston' is the name of a company which makes the device that creates name supers on screen, e.g...

FRED BLOGGS
Washington Correspondent

There are other companies of course, but the term 'Aston' is now used throughout the TV industry

Try the Insights section of BBC Online
http://www.bbc.co.uk/insights/what_does_1.shtml

Mark Grindon

His employer would be more than pleased to assist, I'm sure.

It seems to be known these days as an accepted term for the piece of equipment which superimposes captions on your screen. For example, details of clothes in This Morning fashion items or the names of people on the news will all be put onto an 'Aston'.

I've been doing it for a few years now, and I still come up with words I haven't heard before. The other day I asked a producer why her programme had overrun - she said: 'the DISCO had got a bit heated and overrun'. That was a new one on me.

What was the programme? And did you ever find out what the Disco was?! (I'm guessing it was a discussion?)

Do Americans in the TV industry use the term 'aston' or do they say something else? I know they say 'ID' instead of ident…

My employer would help...If I had one!
No, I meant that I'm moving into TV from an interest point of view. I worded my original post very badly considering. Mind you, if someone offered me a job in TV, I'd jump at the chance (as I suspect, would most people).
Thanks for all your help

(Edited by RadioUK at 11:30 pm on June 6, 2001)

This is an excellent book about everything there is to know about TV Production...

'The Technique of Television Production'
by Gerald Millerson
Published by Focal Press
ISBN: 0-240-51252-9

Think it's out of print now, but I'm sure your local book shop will offer advice

Scott

I have a Millerson book called 'Television Production' which, from what I gather in the blurb, is the new version of the out-of-print tome.

Whats the proper name for an Aston? I know it is named much the same way as the following:

Hoover - vacuum cleaner, but we all call it a hoover

Tannoy - Loud Speaker, but again most people call it a tannoy.

but whats the proper name for an Aston? anyone know?

I suppose it could be a Caption Generator (Capgen)?