May 31, 2007
Re: Oh, the Energy of Time Domain Transients
David, I have a two-word answer for you: Print-Through.
The pre-echo thing does exists, but it comes from analog technology and has nothing to do with “temporal smearing” (unless you mean the stuff you apply directly to the forehead).
Print-through happens when magnetic recording tape, among other things, sits in storage. Here is an actual, factual explanation of it.
It can also happen on vinyl records depending on how close the grooves are and how intensely modulated (loud) the grooves are.
In the case of the Twilight Zone episodes; my expert opinion is that they were, at some point, transferred to videotape from the original film print. Imagine… reels and reels of magnetic tape with Rod Serling’s precious cargo just sitting… and sitting… and sitting. Magnetic tape back in the 1960’s and 1970’s could easily have suffered a good case of print-through while relaxing in the archives.
The same would have been true if the original film prints had a magnetic audio track instead of the usual optical audio track. The physics are the same.
Of course, the flux capacitor had not been invented yet, so we can easily rule it out as a contributing factor.
As for the “Gibbs phenomenon,” I think they are referring to the acoustical distortions reported during the recording sessions for “Stayin’ Alive.”
I think the life-lesson here is that educators are wise to insist that we not cite Wikipedia on our next term paper. However, if you're into comedy dish up some more. That one was precious.
I hope this helps.