Abstract: The invention provides a method for transforming pixels of a digital image by a preselected-transformation. The method includes acts for receiving pixel values of a selected pixel block from an original image provider; determining transformed pixel values for an image block of the selected pixel block under the transformation; and burst writing the transformed pixel values to a random access memory.

Abstract: A method and a system are provided for playing back sequences of segments of video media data stored on a storage media. A segment of the video media data is retrieved at a predetermined period prior to playback and stored in a temporary storage. Control information correlated with the segment of the video media data is subsequently supplied for processing the segment of the video media data. The control information specifies the processing of the segment of the video media data during playback. The segment of the video media data is then processed according to the control information to generate processed video for playback.

Abstract: Combining first and second video streams into a combined output video stream by inputting a first transition proximity map listing proximity values for pixels in a video frame made up of lines of pixels, each proximity value indicating a distance from a pixel to a video transition, applying a mapping function to convert each proximity value to a key value indicating the relative amount of the first and second video stream to be included in a combined output video stream, and combining pixel values of the first and second video streams based upon respective key values.

Abstract: A procamp to color transforms component digital video data. The procamp includes a digital multiplier coupled to receive component digital video data corresponding to at least two different pixel parameters. The digital multiplier is configured to selectively multiply the component video data for different pixel parameters by different factors.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for combining first and second video streams and a border color into a combined output video stream using a multiplexer and a video combiner. The multiplexer receives the first and second video streams as input and outputs a selected video stream in response to a control signal. The video combiner receives the border color at a first input and the selected video stream from the multiplexer at a second input and outputs a combined output based upon a key received at a key input.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for editing video which has at least two components: a digital database system and a nonlinear video editor. The digital database system stores source video segments and has the capability to decimate the source video segments into decimated video segments of a selected decimation quality. The nonlinear video editor is connected to selectively access decimated video segments and source video segments from the digital database system. The nonlinear video editor is capable of using the decimated video segments during editing of a video program and accessing the source video segments to produce the program at a different quality than the selected video.

Abstract: Combining first and second video streams into a combined output video stream by using a gradient table listing gradient values for pixels in a video frame to address a look up table of key values, and combining pixel values of the first and second video streams based upon respective key values read from the look up table.

Abstract: A video peripheral board for providing video I/O capabilities to a general purpose host computer. The video peripheral board comprises a video I/O port configured to connect a video device, a bus interface circuit, and control logic. The bus interface circuit is configured to connect the video peripheral board into a system bus of the host computer, and is capable of becoming bus master of the system bus. The control logic is configured to control the bus interface circuit to effect transfer of video data between the video I/O port and storage of the host computer, the video data passing through the video I/O port in real time.

Abstract: Apparatus that compresses video data using a compression coder having control registers loaded with compression parameters, the apparatus being controlled to sense the size of compressed video data resulting from compressing a portion of source video data using a set of compression parameters, to automatically reload compression parameters that change as a function of the sensed size of compressed video data (the changed parameters being used with the next portion of video data to be compressed), and to store with each compressed portion an indication of the compression parameters used in compressing the portion.

Abstract: An audio/video input/output (I/O) port apparatus for acquiring digital audio samples from one or multiple channels of input audio and synthesizing digital audio samples into one or multiple channels of output audio. The apparatus comprises a video I/O port, a frequency synthesizer, and an audio I/O port. The video I/O port generates a video-rate clock, and is configured to digitize input video into digital video, and to synthesize output video from digital video. The frequency synthesizer is configured to derive an audio sampling clock based on the video-rate clock. The audio I/O port is configured to sample input audio and convert it into digital audio samples according to the sampling clock, and to synthesize digital audio samples into output audio according to the sampling clock. The apparatus ensures that the video and audio data track together, both when inputting the information from an external source and when outputting the audio/video data streams.

Abstract: A video peripheral board for providing video I/O capabilities to a general purpose host computer. The video peripheral board comprises a video I/O port configured to connect a video device, a bus interface circuit, and control logic. The bus interface circuit is configured to connect the video peripheral board into a system bus of the host computer, and is capable of becoming bus master of the system bus. The control logic is configured to control the bus interface circuit to effect transfer of video data between the video I/O port and storage of the host computer, the video data passing through the video I/O port in real time.

Abstract: A method of decoding data packets of an encoded video program using a decoder that is controlled by decoding parameters loaded into control registers, the method including sequentially acquiring data packets that include decoding parameters and associated encoded video data, and processing each of the packets as it is acquired by storing the decoding parameters from the packet into the control registers and decoding the encoded video data using the associated decoding parameters.

Abstract: An apparatus that compresses video data uses a compression coder having control registers loaded with compression parameters, the apparatus being controlled to sense the size of compressed video data resulting from compressing a portion of source video data using a set of compression parameters, to automatically reload compression parameters that change as a function of the sensed size of compressed video data (the changed parameters being used with the next portion of video data to be compressed), and to store with each compressed portion an indication of the compression parameters used in compressing the portion.

Abstract: An audio/video input/output (I/O) port apparatus for acquiring digital audio samples from one or multiple channels of input audio and synthesizing digital audio samples into one or multiple channels of output audio. The apparatus comprises a video I/O port, a frequency synthesizer, and an audio I/O port. The video I/O port generates a video-rate clock, and is configured to digitize input video into digital video, and to synthesize output video from digital video. The frequency synthesizer is configured to derive an audio sampling clock based on the video-rate clock. The audio I/O port is configured to sample input audio and convert it into digital audio samples according to the sampling clock, and to synthesize digital audio samples into output audio according to the sampling clock. The apparatus ensures that the video and audio data track together, both when inputting the information from an external source and when outputting the audio/video data streams.

Abstract: Apparatus for displaying a reduced-size image in a window of the display of a host computer, the reduced-size image based upon subsampled digital image data. The apparatus includes a host computer and a peripheral controller. The peripheral controller includes a subsampler that receives digital source image data and outputs subsampled image data, and window display circuit. The window display circuit receives a directive from the host computer indicating a window location on the host's display, and the subsampled image data. The window display circuit autonomously (independently of the host CPU) writes the subsampled data through the host's system bus into the display memory at addresses corresponding to the specified window. The apparatus allows video to be displayed on the display screen while avoiding intensive involvement or supervision by the host CPU during display of the video image data.