Abstract: Synchronization signals for a digital device are derived for an analog composite video source by computing during a "synch-up" phase the average duration of a low synchronization portion of the signal and the average duration of a high active portion of the signal over a predetermined number of lines separated by the synchronization portions. During subsequent operation, the duration of low times and high times as they are encountered in the unknown signal are compared with their respective average durations. If the duration of a low time is significantly longer than the average low time, a vertical synchronization signal is indicated, the vertical synchronization signal being about 20 times longer than the horizontal synchronization signal in a typical video format. Similarly, if the duration of a high time is significantly shorter than the average high time, a video half line is indicated.