(n.) The difference in the time codes recorded on two videotapes. Editors usually begin a program at 01:00:00:00 (in the hours:minutes:seconds:frames format) to provide room up front for color bars and a slate. If an audio engineer begins the audio program on the same tape at 00:45:00:00, the sound track has a –15-minute offset. A small offset may be useful, depending on the audio equipment.
offset
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