Abstract: A random access audio/video processor having multiple outputs is disclosed. The processor includes a main control unit with analog video and audio back panels, an analog input/output board, audio and video processing boards, video effects board, synchronization board, and a system board (containing the main CPU). The video processing board includes a compressor for compressing input video signals, and triple transfer buffers for intermediate storage of digital video path. The video processing board further includes decompression circuits coupled to each of two triple transfer buffers for decompressing compressed stored video, and providing the decompressed video channels to an effects board for the addition of special effects. The audio processing board contains processors for compression, decompression, and effects, as well as triple transfer buffers. The triple transfer buffers include present, past, and future buffers which jointly operate to minimize discontinuities in the output channels.

Abstract: A dual bus, multi-function disk chassis is provided for use as an enclosure for hard disk drives that store audio or video. The chassis allows configuration of the disk drives for either one of two independent buses contained within the chassis without the need to re-cable any of the bus connections. These two buses are an audio bus for transmitting audio material and a video bus for transmitting video material. The chassis also contains multiple sets of edge connector pairs. Each of the edge connector pairs consists of a first edge connector for connection to the video bus and a second edge connector for connection to the audio bus. This arrangement allows the disk drives to be configured for audio or video storage depending on the orientation of the drive at insertion.