Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for performing pre-programmed recording on a recording medium having insufficient remaining storage space for performing a pre-programmed recording with a specified recording quality, and to an apparatus for reading from and writing to recording media using such method. The method has the steps of: determining the storage space required on a recording medium for performing one or more pre-programmed recordings with a specified quality; comparing the available storage space on the recording medium with the required storage space; and in case the required storage space exceeds the available storage space, reducing the specified recording quality for one or more of the pre-programmed recordings in accordance with settable priority indicators for the pre-programmed recordings such that the required storage space no longer exceeds the available storage space.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for simultaneously recording two a/v input signals using only a single digital a/v compressor, and an apparatus for reading from and writing to recording media capable of performing such method. This object is achieved by a method for recording a first a/v input signal and a second a/v input signal on a first recording unit for recording compressed digital a/v data, having the steps of: recording the first a/v input signal on the first recording unit; recording the second a/v input signal on the second recording unit; after completing the recording of the first a/v input signal on the first recording unit, reading the second a/v input signal recorded on the second recording unit; and recording the second a/v input signal read from the second recording unit on the first recording unit and/or the second recording unit.

Abstract: A video apparatus has a receiver for receiving and converting an RF signal into a video signal. The video signal is then processed (notably encoded) into an encoded digital stream by processing means. The processing means is adjusted based on an indicator of a characteristic of the RF signal.

Abstract: A video apparatus has a digital encoder which receives a first analogue video signal with ancillary information in a given time window and generates on an output a digital stream based on the first analogue video signal. A digital decoder is connectable to this output to generate a second analogue video signal. A switch selects between the first analogue video signal and the second analogue video signal as an output depending on a control signal based on the occurrence of said time window.

Abstract: A video apparatus has a digital decoder generating a first digital stream, a video source of a first analogue signal, a video encoder and a first video decoder connectable to the video source for generating a second digital stream based on the first analogue signal. A switch is coupled to the first video decoder and to the digital decoder to notably mix the second digital stream and the first digital stream into an output digital stream to the video encoder.

Abstract: The present invention proposes a method for generating a digital video signal from an analog input video signal, which prevents picture jitter in the digitized video signal when the analog input video signal is not in complete conformity with a standard. According to the invention, the method includes the steps of: detecting the type of signal source; in case the type of signal source is a non-standard type, detecting the existence of an error state; converting the analog input video signal to a digital video signal; in case an error state exists, replacing an error prone part of the digitized video signal with a substitute signal part; and in case the type of signal source is a standard type or no error state exists, keeping the digitized video signal unchanged.

Abstract: A video apparatus, for instance a video player, comprises a first digital source (e.g. a media player) of a first video digital stream and a video encoder (for generating analogue video signals based on said first video digital stream. The video apparatus also has an input for receiving first analogue video signals comprising synchronization signals. A second digital source generates a second video digital stream based on which the video encoder can generate second analogue video signals synchronized by the synchronization signals of the first analogue video signals for superimposition on the first analogue video signals.

Abstract: The circuit arrangement comprises a power supply unit with a first power supply only for the analogue signal processing part and for the control part of a respective device. For the digital signal processing part, a second, separate switched mode power supply is provided, which is switched off, when only the analogue signal processing part is active, and which is in operation, when the digital signal processing part is on. For switching on and off of the second switched mode power supply, the power supply comprises a switching circuit (18), which is coupled in a special embodiment to a control loop (15) on the secondary side, for switching off the second power supply at the primary side via a galvanic isolating means (14). The switching circuit is provided with a supply voltage (12VS) from the first power supply and receives the on/off command from the control part, e. g. a microprocessor.

Abstract: A video apparatus has a first connector for outputting first RGB signals, a second connector for receiving second RGB signals, and an On-Screen Display circuit generating third RGB signals. A RGB generator generates fourth RGB signals. A first RGB switch is connected to the second connector and to the On-Screen Display circuit for receiving respectively said second RGB signals and said third RGB signals. The first RGB switch outputs fifth RGB signals. A second RGB switch is connected to the first RGB switch and to the RGB generator for receiving respectively said fifth RGB signals and said fourth RGB signals. The second RGB switch outputs the first RGB signals. A process to control such a video apparatus is also proposed.

Abstract: A video apparatus comprises a correction circuit for delaying a luminance stream in a digital stream. The correction circuit has a demultiplexer, a line buffer and a multiplexer to achieve this. This construction enables compensation of the luminance 2H-delay of conventional VHS and S-VHS signals. A process is disclosed for improving the picture quality of conventional VHS and S-VHS signals and for recording the corrected or quality-improved signals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for simultaneously recording two a/v input signals using only a single digital a/v compressor, and an apparatus for reading from and writing to recording media capable of performing such method. This object is achieved by a method for recording a first a/v input signal and a second a/v input signal on a first recording unit for recording compressed digital a/v data, having the steps of: recording the first a/v input signal on the first recording unit; recording the second a/v input signal on the second recording unit; after completing the recording of the first a/v input signal on the first recording unit, reading the second a/v input signal recorded on the second recording unit; and recording the second a/v input signal read from the second recording unit on the first recording unit and/or the second recording unit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for performing pre-programmed recording on a recording medium having insufficient remaining storage space for performing a pre-programmed recording with a specified recording quality, and to an apparatus for reading from and writing to recording media using such method. The method has the steps of: determining the storage space required on a recording medium for performing one or more pre-programmed recordings with a specified quality; comparing the available storage space on the recording medium with the required storage space; and in case the required storage space exceeds the available storage space, reducing the specified recording quality for one or more of the pre-programmed recordings in accordance with settable priority indicators for the pre-programmed recordings such that the required storage space no longer exceeds the available storage space.

Abstract: The present invention relates to method for performing pre-programmed recording in an apparatus for reading from and writing to recording media, each recording requiring the generation of recording specific data at the end of the recording session. According to the invention, in case of successive pre-programmed recordings separated by a time interval which is insufficient for the generation of the recording specific data, the successive recordings are treated as a single recording and the recording specific data are generated when the single recording is finished.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for recording an a/v signal on a recording medium, and to an apparatus for reading from and writing to recording media performing such method. It is an object of the invention to propose a method for recording an a/v signal on a recording medium capable of optimizing the use of the available storage space when the a/v signal has segments with a low signal quality. This object is achieved by a method having the steps of: receiving an a/v signal; determining a quality indication value indicating the quality of the received a/v signal; and comparing the quality indication value with a predefined threshold value; wherein a recording bit rate is automatically adjusted to the lowest possible recording bit rate when the determined quality indication value is lower than the predefined threshold value.

Abstract: The present invention proposes a method for generating a digital video signal from an analog input video signal, which prevents picture jitter in the digitized video signal when the analog input video signal is not in complete conformity with a standard. According to the invention, the method includes the steps of: detecting the type of signal source; in case the type of signal source is a non-standard type, detecting the existence of an error state; converting the analog input video signal to a digital video signal; in case an error state exists, replacing an error prone part of the digitized video signal with a substitute signal part; and in case the type of signal source is a standard type or no error state exists, keeping the digitized video signal unchanged.

Abstract: A video apparatus has a digital encoder which receives a first analogue video signal with ancillary information in a given time window and generates on an output a digital stream based on the first analogue video signal. A digital decoder is connectable to this output to generate a second analogue video signal. A switch selects between the first analogue video signal and the second analogue video signal as an output depending on a control signal based on the occurrence of said time window.

Abstract: A video apparatus has a digital decoder generating a first digital stream, a video source of a first analogue signal, a video encoder and a first video decoder connectable to the video source for generating a second digital stream based on the first analogue signal. A switch is coupled to the first video decoder and to the digital decoder to notably mix the second digital stream and the first digital stream into an output digital stream to the video encoder.

Abstract: Refractive optical systems having first and second lens systems are transmissive to infrared radiation. The first lens system includes one of BaF2 and CaF2. An exemplary second lens system includes an optical material selected from at least spinel, MgF2, and aluminum oxynitride. Such exemplary refractive optical systems provide correction of chromatic aberration in multiple wavelength bands.

Abstract: A video apparatus has a connector for receiving a video signal and having at least a first pin carrying a first signal, at least a second pin carrying a second signal and at least a third pin carrying a signal indicative of which of the first signal and the second signal defines the video signal at a given point in time. The first pin and the second pin are coupled to a video circuit able to operate with at least two types of video signal. A detection circuit connected to the third pin determines a characteristic of the video signal based on the indicative signal, and control means responsive to said characteristic sends a control signal whereby the video circuit is forced to operate with one of said types of video signal.

Abstract: A video apparatus has a receiver for receiving and converting an RF signal into a video signal. The video signal is then processed (notably encoded) into an encoded digital stream by processing means. The processing means is adjusted based on an indicator of a characteristic of the RF signal.