Computer Graphics and Alphanumeric Resources in TV
Computer Graphics as Informative Resources in TV
Computer-generated graphics are used to express specific content in television. They can function as independent expressive components or be integrated into a broader audiovisual system. Graphics offer a wide range of options for television information, including:
- Line drawings
- Geopolitical and weather maps
- Representations of scenes and actions
Graphics are particularly useful when live images are unavailable or when there’s a need to clarify information.
Alphanumeric and Written Resources in TV
With innovations in writing, text has gained a strong presence on television, either alone or combined with images and sounds. Several factors differentiate text on television:
Typography
Television typography differs significantly from print media.
- Letter Shapes: They must facilitate reading without fully absorbing the viewer’s attention.
- Size: Large enough for readability at a distance.
- Thickness or Depth: Text may appear with depth or perspective.
- Clarity of Design: Letters must be clear for quick reading due to their brief appearance on screen.
- Structure: Two-dimensional or three-dimensional structures offer more variety in television writing.
- Color: Single or multiple colors can differentiate news items. Color interacts with background images to highlight the text.
- Other Expressive Features: Underlining, italics, and bold text can be used for emphasis.
Topography
This refers to the composition of text within the overall image on the screen. When text occupies a portion of the screen, it usually appears at the bottom, overlaid on the images, requiring harmonization and clarity. When text covers the entire screen, a clear composition with blurred backgrounds is necessary to ensure readability.
Display Mode: Fixed or Moving
There’s a close relationship between fixed or moving text and still or moving images. Fixed text requires sufficient time for online reading. Flashing text is used to attract attention. Moving text requires precise timing for entry, exit, and duration. It can appear horizontally (right to left or vice versa) or vertically (top to bottom or vice versa).
Functions of Writing on Television
- Labeling: This involves a variety of alphanumeric characters and mathematical symbols, requiring full harmonization and synchronization.
- Summaries and Headlines: These typically appear on a neutral background.
- Abstracts or Outlines: These provide supporting information and are often seen alone.
- News Headlines: Used to identify news items.
- Identification of Professionals: Each station has its own style, usually including the logo, name, and title on separate lines.
- Identification of Personalities: Similar to the previous point, but often with abbreviated titles. Two different colors are commonly used.
- Identification of Place, Date, Time: Provides contextual information.
- Information on Technical Aspects: Displays relevant technical details.
- Credits for the Participating Team: In news programs, only those with the most direct responsibility are credited.
Written Translations on Screen
When foreign speakers are featured, written translations appear on screen while they are talking. This preserves the original audio while conveying the message. Translations should be accurate to the intended meaning, rather than strictly timed as in film dubbing.
Resources and Forms of Presentation
- Character Generators or Electronic Titles: These are linked to mixers and synchronize their output signal. They allow direct writing on the screen, providing greater speed and immediacy. This technique offers multiple typographic and topographic options.
- Teletext: This can be used to simultaneously broadcast written messages alongside images. Originally introduced for the deaf, it has evolved into a new communication channel.