Pronunciation: [lˈa͡ɪn blˈaŋkɪŋ] (IPA) 
The term "line blanking" refers to the process of blocking out portions of a video signal that contains unwanted or irrelevant information. This term is pronounced as "laɪn ˈblæŋkɪŋ" in IPA phonetic transcription. The word "line" is pronounced as "laɪn" and the word "blanking" is pronounced as "ˈblæŋkɪŋ." The "a" in "blanking" is pronounced as a short vowel sound, and the stress in the word falls on the second syllable.
Line blanking refers to a process used in video production and broadcasting where certain sections of a video signal are intentionally removed or "blanked" during the horizontal retrace period of a television display. This is done to prevent unwanted artifacts and disturbances from appearing on the screen.
During each scan line of a video signal, there is a horizontal retrace period where the electron beam of a cathode ray tube (CRT) display moves from the right side back to the left side of the screen to prepare for the next scan line. Line blanking takes advantage of this period to remove unnecessary information and control the display's behavior.
By blanking certain sections of the video signal during the horizontal retrace, line blanking ensures that unwanted video content, such as sync signals, noise, or other disturbances, do not interfere with the visible display. This process prevents viewers from seeing any disruptions or distortions that might occur during the retrace, resulting in a cleaner and more visually pleasing image on the screen.
Line blanking is achieved by synchronizing the video source with the display device using blanking pulses and sync signals, which control the timing and positioning of the blanking intervals. These signals instruct the display device to turn off the electron beam during the retrace period, effectively eliminating any extraneous content from being displayed.
Overall, line blanking is an essential technique in video production and broadcasting, ensuring the high-quality and uninterrupted display of video content on CRT screens and other display devices.
The etymology of the term "line blanking" involves examining the origins of its individual components:
1. Line: word "line" comes from the Old English word "līne", which refers to a rope, cord, or thread. Over time, it evolved to denote a variety of meanings, including a straight mark or stroke, a row of people or things, or a boundary.
2. Blanking: term "blanking" originates from the noun "blank", which came from the Old French word "blanc" meaning "white, bright". It could also refer to an empty or unused space, absence, or lack of information.
When combined, "line blanking" typically refers to the process of temporarily interrupting or erasing specific lines of a video signal or old cathode-ray tube (CRT) display. This technique is often used to hide unwanted or unnecessary information during television transmission or display synchronization.
