Abstract: Luminance information and a subset of chrominance information associated with a video signal are encoded into a first encoded video signal. The subset of chrominance information does not include all of the received chrominance information. At least the remaining chrominance information that is associated with the video signal but is not encoded into the first encoded video signal is encoded into a second encoded video signal. The second encoded video signal could include all of the chrominance information, and not only the remaining chrominance information. In either case, a full set of chrominance information for the video signal is encoded.

Abstract: Lever handles for video fader consoles are disclosed. A lever handle is used to control transition of video segments in a video production system. A hand grip of the lever handle is parallel to the video fader console in an embodiment, and could be made to fit a user's hand such that a user can completely grasp the hand grip with all fingers. The lever handle includes the hand grip and an arm structure which offsets the hand grip thereby permitting a user to grasp the hand grip without any impedance from the arm structure, which could provide greater operator control of the handle during operation. Embodiments with adjustable handle length or height are also disclosed.

Abstract: Low-latency interactive multiviewer interfaces and methods for video broadcast equipment are disclosed. A video switcher includes an integrated multiviewer to generate a multiviewer interface. Video signals are received from video sources and a user interface graphic is received from an external source such as an external computer. The received video signals are routed in a video path of the video switcher to be presented in a multiviewer interface on a display, and the received interface graphic is overlaid on the received video signals for presentation in the multiviewer interface. Realtime elements associated with frames of the video signals may also be generated within the video switcher and combined with the video signals and the externally generated interface graphic in the multiviewer interface. The video signals could include video signals from external video sources, outputs of internal processing elements within the video switcher, and/or intermediary video signals within the video switcher.

Abstract: Video/audio production processing control synchronization apparatus and methods are provided. Processing control commands that are provided to a first installation of production processing equipment for controlling production processing of edit units of first production signals are echoed to another installation, or possibly multiple other installations, of production processing equipment. Timing information associated with the edit units is also provided to the other installation(s), to enable production processing of delayed production signals by the other installation(s) to be synchronized with the production processing by the first installation of production processing equipment. Multiple production processing equipment installations can be controlled and synchronized from a single control interface.

Abstract: Various improvements for video production switchers are disclosed. In a user input module, a Link button is operable to link key functions with a user controllable input device. A multicolor lighting arrangement may be provided, and possibly calibrated, for illuminating each button of a switcher with a controllable color and/or intensity. In an improved Pulse-Width Modulation (PWM) scheme, a PWM output is dependent on a pseudo-random number and a threshold. A display on a keyer module may be used to provide indications of a key source and type currently associated with the keyer module. A switcher menu system may be enhanced by providing a first display for accessing a full menu system, and a second display for accessing at least a portion of the full menu system. In a modular switcher panel, a panel structure carries button modules, at least one of which is interchangeable without displacing other button modules.

Abstract: Video/audio production processing control synchronization apparatus and methods are provided. Processing control commands that are provided to a first installation of production processing equipment for controlling production processing of edit units of first production signals are echoed to another installation, or possibly multiple other installations, of production processing equipment. Timing information associated with the edit units is also provided to the other installation(s), to enable production processing of delayed production signals by the other installation(s) to be synchronized with the production processing by the first installation of production processing equipment. Multiple production processing equipment installations can be controlled and synchronized from a single control interface.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for electronic hardware resource management in video processing are provided. A hybrid filter is controllable to apply either Finite Impulse Response (FIR) filtering or Infinite Impulse Response (IIR) filtering for vertical filtering of a video image during a resizing process. A scale factor by which the video image is to be resized in the resizing process is determined, and the hybrid filter is controlled to apply FIR filtering for the vertical filtering where the determined scale factor satisfies a first condition relative to a threshold value ST or to apply IIR filtering for the vertical filtering where the determined scale factor satisfies a second condition relative to the threshold value ST. The first and second conditions are different and exclusive, such that only one type of filtering is applied. This hybrid filtering approach uses each type of filtering to avoid defects of the other.

Abstract: Intelligent resource state memory recall techniques, and associated apparatus and methods, are disclosed. States of one or more video switcher resources in a resource state memory may be recalled to the same or different resources, depending on resource availability at the time of memory recall. A memory recall need not affect an on air signal. The memory may be recalled to recreate a desired program output, as defined in the memory, on a preview output of the video switcher, which leaves a current program output of the video switcher undisturbed when the memory is recalled.

Abstract: An audio and video production system and method, including a video production control switcher; and one or more computers connected through a network and configured for controlling the video production control switcher. The system is further configured for at least one of defining looks, including shot templates, that correspond to particular settings on the production control switcher or settings of parts of the production control switcher; defining sequences of the looks or assigning individual looks to control elements on a computer of the computers; transmitting the looks across the network; and translating of a single look into one or more standard editor commands, and transmitting the commands to the production control switcher.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for electronic hardware resource management in video processing are provided. A hybrid filter is controllable to apply either Finite Impulse Response (FIR) filtering or Infinite Impulse Response (IIR) filtering for vertical filtering of a video image during a resizing process. A scale factor by which the video image is to be resized in the resizing process is determined, and the hybrid filter is controlled to apply FIR filtering for the vertical filtering where the determined scale factor satisfies a first condition relative to a threshold value ST or to apply IIR filtering for the vertical filtering where the determined scale factor satisfies a second condition relative to the threshold value ST. The first and second conditions are different and exclusive, such that only one type of filtering is applied. This hybrid filtering approach uses each type of filtering to avoid defects of the other.

Abstract: Intelligent resource state memory recall techniques, and associated apparatus and methods, are disclosed. States of one or more video switcher resources in a resource state memory may be recalled to the same or different resources, depending on resource availability at the time of memory recall. A memory recall need not affect an on air signal. The memory may be recalled to recreate a desired program output, as defined in the memory, on a preview output of the video switcher, which leaves a current program output of the video switcher undisturbed when the memory is recalled.

Abstract: A method, system, and device for video production, including adding a mixer to an Auxiliary Bus of a Video Production Switcher; adding one or more keyers to the Auxiliary Bus of the Video Production Switcher; and adding special effects to the Auxiliary Bus.

Abstract: A method, system, and device for generating a clean clipping signal ? for a chromakey function or a video composition, including identifying background colors formed by a solid color background, shadows cast by still and moving subjects, a non-uniform reflection caused by spot lighting and non-flat backdrop or flaw wall, and translucent foreground objects, with a 3D volume in a 3D color space; determining parameters defining same by using a dirty alpha ?; generating a clean clipping signal ?shd background colors, and a clean clipping signal ?tsl for translucency colors; identifying foreground colors formed by the still and moving subjects with a 3D volume in a 3D color space; classifying colors into transition colors; and generating an area map for mapping each pixel into background, shadow, translucent, foreground, and transition areas.

Abstract: Various improvements for video production switchers are disclosed. In a user input module, a Link button is operable to link key functions with a user controllable input device. A multicolor lighting arrangement may be provided, and possibly calibrated, for illuminating each button of a switcher with a controllable color and/or intensity. In an improved Pulse-Width Modulation (PWM) scheme, a PWM output is dependent on a pseudo-random number and a threshold. A display on a keyer module may be used to provide indications of a key source and type currently associated with the keyer module. A switcher menu system may be enhanced by providing a first display for accessing a full menu system, and a second display for accessing at least a portion of the full menu system. In a modular switcher panel, a panel structure carries button modules, at least one of which is interchangeable without displacing other button modules.