Panning
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Panning has several loosely related meanings.
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Cinematography
Movie and television cameras pan by turning horizontally on a vertical axis, but the effect may be enhanced by adding other techniques, such as rails to move the whole camera platform.
In telecommunications, the term panning has the following meanings:
- On the viewing screen of a display device, for example, a computer monitor, horizontal shifting of the entire displayed image. The panning direction is at a right angle with respect to the scrolling direction.
- In video technology, the use of a camera to scan a subject horizontally.
- In antenna systems, successively changing the azimuth of a beam of radio-frequency energy over the elements of a given horizontal region, or the corresponding process in reception.
Source: from Federal Standard 1037C
Pan and scan
In television, the term pan and scan refers to reproducing wide-screen films on narrow TV screens by selectively moving from one part of the screen as the action moves or the speaker changes.
Early technology
The term panning is derived from panorama, a word originally coined in 1787 by Robert Barker for the 18th century version of these applications, a machine that unrolled or unfolded a long horizontal painting to give the impression the scene was passing by. (Barker also invented the cyclorama in which a large painting encircles an audience.)
Audio recording
In audio recording, panning is the spread of a monaural signal in a stereo or multi-channel sound field.
Candy
'Panning is a process by which one adds a coating or shell to a candy item (such as M&M or jellybean). The process was initially invented in 17th century France to make Jordan Almonds.
Essentially, the shell-less candies in question are placed in some container and constantly agitated (such as by rocking or spinning the container) while the ingredients of the coating are added. Some systems use a belt rather than a rotating container to achieve the tumbling action.
Typically the ingredients include syrups, dyes, flavors and sugar, depending on the candy in question. Through repeated coating and drying, a shell is accumulated on the individual candies.
These days, panning is a process carried out using dedicated machinery, with controlled temperatures and humidity to ensure uniform shells between batches. Some companies even specialize in panning, such as Sconza Candy Company in the US.
Jellybeans use a process of 'soft panning' which is basically the same, but more difficult to do in an automated way since the machinery becomes fouled more easily with the sticky ingredients.