a) A computer used to electronically generate text and sometimes graphics for video titles or captions which can be superimposed over a video signal. Text is usually entered via a keyboard, allowing selection of various fonts, sizes, colors, styles, and background colors, then stored as multiple pages for retrieval.

b) An electronic device that generates video letters for use as captions in television productions.

The output of the character generator is often used as an external key input to the switcher.

c) Circuit that forms the letters or numbers on a display or printer.