Rewinding the tape in your camcorder to a few seconds before the point at which you intend to start capturing.

Rewinding the tape in a camcorder to a few seconds before the point at which the user intends to start capturing video.

Time that it takes for a camcorder or VCR to get from pause to play or record.

Another term that has a different meaning in the digital realm versus in the analog realm. Giving yourself pre-roll when you are laying down keyframes using mixer automation means that you cue the playhead to a place before the actual clip you want to effect to give you time to prepare to react.