IRE unit

noun

A unit used in the measurement of composite video signals. A value of 100 IRE is defined to be +714 mV in an analog NTSC video signal.

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Meanings

nounIRE unit (plural IRE units)

plural IRE units

  1. broadcastingA unit used in the measurement of composite video signals. A value of 100 IRE is defined to be +714 mV in an analog NTSC video signal.

    At the same time the picture blacks may be reproduced at levels as high as 20 or 30 IRE units.

    1966, Rodger J. Ross, Television Film Engineering, page 331

Origin

Named after the Institute of Radio Engineers.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

IRE unit. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/IRE%20unit

MLA

“IRE unit.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/IRE%20unit. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “IRE unit,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/IRE%20unit.

Source: IRE unit on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.