What is burn-in in video mastering and provide a typical use case?

• A. A graphic element overlaid on the video permanently, such as timecode, date, or a watermark; used for reference or rights.
• B. A temporary overlay for subtitles
• C. A form of color correction
• D. A method for compressing video

Answer: (A)

Burn-in means permanently embedding a graphic into the image so it appears on every frame, baked into the video rather than something you can toggle off. In mastering, you’ll commonly burn in things like timecode, the date, or a watermark. The timecode helps you reference exact frames during editing, review, and QC with precision. A watermark or logo serves to indicate ownership or protect rights during private screenings or distribution, making it easy to trace a particular master if it’s shared or leaked. Because it’s baked into the picture, it cannot be removed by normal playback.

A typical use case is a screening master prepared for a distributor or client that shows a small, unobtrusive timecode in a corner along with a subtle watermark. This ensures the exact frame can be identified during discussions or if the copy must be traced, while still clearly marking the asset as belonging to the rights holder. This is different from temporary overlays like subtitles or on-screen graphics that can be turned off, and it’s not a color correction or compression process.