Abstract: A video processing system (55) is designed to output edited clips in different video output formats, in which an edited clip is produced by applying a video effect to source clips in at least first and second different formats during an editing process. The system includes an image processor (60) for rendering to produce new video content for a video effect based on the video content of source clips in first and second different formats. The image processor (60) is operable to generate the new video content in a plurality of video output formats. There is also provided a store (70) comprising a plurality of storage locations (13, 14, 16) each for holding a version of the new video content in each of the plurality of video output formats.

Abstract: A chroma keying system 1 processes foreground image data representing a foreground subject in front of a matte, together with background data representing a background image, to produce composite image data representing the foreground subject and the background in place of the matte. A programmable look up table 8 is provided for receiving on a pixel-by-pixel basis the most significant bits (MSBs) of the foreground image data and outputting in response thereto range data representing limits of a keying range. An interpolator 9 is also provided for interpolating the range data depending on the least significant bits (LSBs) of the foreground image data and outputting keying data. A combiner 4 combines the foreground image data and the background image data on a pixel-by-pixel basis in response to the keying data to produce the composite image data. The system is operable in a calibration mode in which a generator 15 is connected to input the colour point data to an external keyer.

Abstract: An electronic image processing system 1 includes a large capacity store 2 having a source area 3 for storing data representing an initial image and a destination area 4 for storing data representing a modified image. A control processor 5 calculates transformation parameters and controls the transfer of portions of the initial image data to a high speed low capacity cache store 9. A spatial filter 10 effects transformations on the data in the cache store 9 and the thus modified image portion data is written to the destination area 4.

Abstract: A video graphics system is provided with a framestore 3 and a viewing store 10. The framestore 3 is arranged to receive new image data created by a processor 6 in response to user manipulations of a stylus/touch tablet device 1. The framestore 3 and the viewing store 10 both have the capacity to store a high definition image and to facilitate display of the image on a high definition monitor 13 the framestore is arranged to transfer only portions of its data contents to the viewing store 10 during a frame period. The portion transferred is determined by the position of the stylus on the touch tablet at the beginning of a frame period. Data in the viewing store 10 is output in faster sequence for display on the monitor 13.

Abstract: A data storage apparatus 20 comprises several disc stores 21 to 24 connected to respective RAM buffers 37 to 40 by respective data interfaces and highways 25 to 36. Sets of data are stored in the disc stores with the data in each set being distributed among the disc stores. The apparatus comprises a controller 51 which, in response to an external request for data, generates control data identifying one or more sets of data to be transferred between the disc stores and the RAM buffers. The control data is transferred to the disc stores 21 to 24 via the respective data interfaces and highways 25 to 36. When data is ready for transfer a signal is sent from the interfaces 33 to 36 and once the controller has received signals from each of the interfaces it enables data to be transferred between the interfaces and respective RAM buffers.

Abstract: Uncompressed digital video data representing one or more initial video frames is input from a video source 2 to a disc store 14 via a compressor/decompressor 10 or a bypass path 20 and a data bus 12. Thus, data can be stored in the disc store 14 in either compressed or uncompressed form. Video data corresponding to video frames selected for editing are held in a display store 5 in uncompressed or decompressed form and editing and other image processing operations are performed thereon by an image processor 6 under the control of a stylus/touch tablet or other user operable input device. Edited data is output to the bypass path for storage without compression in the store or to the compressor/decompressor for storage in compressed form in the store. The compressor/decompressor may be configured to effect symmetrical real time data compression and decompression or fractal data compression.