Abstract: Motion compensated video signal processing apparatus comprises a subsampler for horizontally subsampling an input digital video signal, to generate a subsampled video signal; a motion vector processor for generating motion vectors from the subsampled video signal; and a motion compensated video processor for processing the input digital video signal according to the motion vectors, to generate an output digital video signal.

Abstract: Motion compensated video signal processing apparatus for interpolating an output image of an output video signal from a corresponding pair of temporally adjacent input images of an input video signal comprises: means for generating a plurality of local motion vectors to represent image motion of respective search blocks of one input image of the pair between that image and the other image of the pair; means for detecting blocks of the output image pointed to by each local motion vector; means for assigning a group of motion vectors to each block of the output image, the group being selected from a set of motion vectors comprising at least those local motion vectors pointing to that block of the output image; and a motion compensated interpolator for interpolating pixels of each block of the output image from the pair of input images, using a motion vector from the group assigned to that block.

Abstract: Motion compensated video signal processing apparatus, in which motion vectors are generated to represent image motion between a pair of input images of an input video signal, comprises means for comparing search blocks within one of the pair of input images with respective search areas, comprising a plurality of blocks, in the other of the pair of input images, to generate a first plurality of original correlation surfaces, each comprising an array of correlation values representing correlation between the respective search block and search area; means for generating a second plurality of interpolated correlation surfaces by interpolation from the original correlation surfaces; and means for generating a respective motion vector from each interpolated correlation surface, in dependence on a point of maximum correlation in that interpolated correlation surface.

Abstract: In order to simulate, on set or on location, a subsequent video to film conversion process, an input interlaced video signal is converted in any of a variety of ways to a progressive scan format video signal, and then interlaced fields of the progressive scan format frames are displayed on a video monitor or view finder.

Abstract: A motion compensation technique for color video signals involves deriving at least one principal component from the video signals by means of a hotelling transform circuit and a matrix, and applying motion compensation to an interpolator (or to a compressor/decompressor) on the basis of the derived principal component. The technique avoids the need to provide three separate compensation circuits for each of the video signals while ensuring that optimum use is made of the color information in the video signals.

Abstract: An input digital video signal representing a series of input frames with at least some of the input frames each having a first picture portion having a first acquisition characteristic (such as 60 Hz, 2:1) and a second picture portion having a second acquisition characteristic (such as 30 Hz, 1:1) is processed to produce an output video signal representing a series of output frames having generally the same acquisition characteristic (such as 24 Hz, 1:1). The method comprises the steps of distinguishing between the first and second picture portions in the input frames (for example by determining the difference between input fields (a.sub.1, a.sub.2 ; a.sub.3, a.sub.4 ; . . . ) of a pair, or by detecting a key signal accompanying the input video signal) and processing the first and second picture portions differently to produce the output frames.

Abstract: A system for integrating film material with a digital video signal employs a film scanner to produce a digital video signal from the source film, and a post production system for combining with that signal the input digital video signal. Motion interpolated temporal compensation is employed at stages of frame rate conversion.

Abstract: A system for integrating film material with a digital video signal employs a film scanner to produce a digital video signal from the source film, and a post production system for combining with that signal the input digital video signal. Motion interpolated temporal compensation is employed at stages of frame rate conversion.

Abstract: Method of integrating 30 or 60 frame/s format material and 60 field/s 2:1 interlace scan format digital video signal to produce a 60 field/s 2:1 interlace scan format digital video signal by producing a progressive scan format digital video signal from the format material, converting the progressive scan format digital video signal to a 60 field/s 2:1 interlace scan format digital video signal and combining the converted signal with the 60 field/s interlace scan format digital video signal.

Abstract: Video tape recorder speed control apparatus for controlling a video tape recorder (1) to cause it to reproduce a recorded video signal at a predetermined speed, such as a fraction 1/n of the normal speed, the apparatus comprising the video tape recorder (1), first and second counters (25,26), the first and second counters (25, 26) being incremented by a signal locked in frequency to the field repetition frequency of the video signal at the normal playback speed thereof, the first counter (25) resetting periodically at intervals determined by the predetermined speed, the second counter (26) being reset with a signal locked in frequency to the field repetition frequency of the video signal being reproduced by the video tape recorder (1), a comparator (27) for periodically comparing the counts of the first and second counters (25, 26) thereby to derive a phase error signal, and a control signal generator (28, 29, 30) to derive in dependence on the phase error signal a signal to control the reproduction speed of

Abstract: Video signal processing apparatus, for example a television standards converter (12), for motion adaptive or motion compensated processing a video signal in dependence on inter-field or inter-frame information, comprises a reader (21) for reading scene discontinuity information relating to the video signal, which may be expressed in time codes, from a recording medium such as a magnetic disc, the apparatus being controlled in dependence on the read information to cause the processing of the video signal to change to being dependent on intra-field or intra-frame information at a scene discontinuity.