Abstract: A storage mechanism utilizing a single data recorder from which multiple channels of compressed video data may be simultaneously accessed. The data access to and from the data recorder via a single data access path takes place at a higher data rate (f.sub.1, f.sub.2) than the data rate (f.sub.3, f.sub.4) at which that compressed data needs to be decoded to support a video signal. A video router is used to direct the reproduced data stored within two data channel buffers to respective JPEG decoders where they are decompressed into a signal suitable for driving two digital monitors. In operation, a segment of compressed video data for one channel is recovered from the data recorder and stored within one of the buffers from which it is continuously read at a lower data rate (f.sub.3, f.sub.4). The data recorder then cues to another part of the medium from which data for the second channel is reproduced and stored within another buffer. The process is then repeated.

Abstract: An arrangement is provided which enables one or more controllable pieces of equipment to be controlled by a control unit. Each piece of controllable equipment includes a control structure definition for that equipment. The controllable equipment is responsive to a request from the control unit to supply the control structure definitions to the control unit where it is used for programming that control unit. The control unit has a number of user operable input devices, at least some of which are programmable, and a programmable display. The control unit responds to an initial operation (e.g. an initial operation of one of the input devices) to transmit a message to the controllable equipment requesting the control structure definitions for programming the display and/or the input devices. The control unit responds to a message from the controllable unit to carry out the programming.

Abstract: Lighting effects for a digital video effects system are provided through a write-side process. An array of pixel values from a source video image is mapped onto an object surface to produce an output image by storing the input image pixels in a memory and then selectively addressing the memory in accordance with a function defining the object surface to form output pixels representative of the source video image mapped onto the object surface. Before storage in the memory, a write side lighting processor modifies the intensity of the source pixels. The source images are logically divided into tiles, a tile mapper calculates a mapping of the corners of the tiles onto the object surface and a lighting factor generator uses the mapped corner points to compute normals for individual pixels using interpolation. The dot product of the interpolated normals are computed and mathematically combined with other factors to generate lighting intensity modification factors for each of the pixels of the source image.

Abstract: There is described a video special effects apparatus 1 comprising: transforming means 2, 10, 12, 14 for mapping an input video image (FIG. 3A) onto a three-dimensional surface (FIG. 3B) to form a transformed image; luminance level calculating means 16 for calculating luminance levels I.sub.out for parts of said transformed image to produce an effect of a positive light source P generating positive light that increases luminance levels of parts of said transformed image corresponding to parts of said three-dimensional surface where said positive light is incident and a negative light source N generating negative light that decreases luminance levels of parts of said transformed image corresponding to parts of said three-dimensional surface where said negative light is incident; and luminance level control means 6 for controlling luminance levels of parts of said transformed image in dependence upon said calculated luminance levels.

Abstract: A digital video effects system for emulating motion blurring includes a digital video effects apparatus for manipulating an input image to generate an effect, and a controller for controlling the apparatus to generate an output image sequence comprising a sequence of output images at respective output image timings in which different manipulations are applied for successive images such that the effect changes with time. The controller causes the apparatus to combine a set of constituent images for each output image, the constituent images manifesting manipulations commensurate with respective constituent image timings. The constituent images for each set of constituent images are combined to form a respective output image in the output image sequence.