a) A device used to form a single composite color signal (NTSC, PAL, or SECAM) from a set of component signals. An encoder is used whenever a composite output is required from a source (or recording) which is in component format. b) Sometimes devices that change analog signals to digital (ADC). All NTSC cameras include an encoder. Because many of these cameras are inexpensive, their encoders omit many of the advanced techniques that can improve NTSC. CAV facilities can use a single, advanced encoder prior to creating a final NTSC signal. c) An embodiment of an encoding process.