Abstract: A workstation for processing and producing a video signal comprises a video input system, a video graphics processor, and a video output system. The video input system may comprise a video input module, a first video pipeline, and a second video pipeline. The video output system may comprise a receiver, a video pipeline and a video output module. In addition, the video input system may comprise a video input module having a specific configuration and a video processing module having a connector for coupling the video input module, the specific configuration of the video input module setting the characteristics of the video processing module. The video output system may comprise a video processing module having a connector for coupling a video output module and a video output module having a specific configuration, the specific configuration of the video output module setting the characteristics of the video processing module.

Abstract: A video card for processing a video signal comprises an interchangeable connector module and a video processing module. The interchangeable connector module has a specific configuration. The video processing module has a connector for coupling the interchangeable connector module. The specific configuration of the interchangeable connector module sets the characteristics of the video processing module.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing video signals comprises a receiver for receiving a video signal, a video pipeline for post-processing the received video signal, the video pipeline producing a post-processed video signal, and a video output module for converting the post-processed video signal, the video output module producing a formatted video signal. The video output module may further comprise an ancillary data injector, the injector inserting ancillary data into the post-processed video signal. Also, the video output system may further comprise a generator locking device or the video input module may include a generator locking device.

Abstract: A workstation for processing and producing a video signal comprises a video input system, a video graphics processor, and a video output system. The video input system may comprise a video input module, a first video pipeline, and a second video pipeline. The video output system may comprise a receiver, a video pipeline and a video output module. In addition, the video input system may comprise a video input module having a specific configuration and a video processing module having a connector for coupling the video input module, the specific configuration of the video input module setting the characteristics of the video processing module. The video output system may comprise a video processing module having a connector for coupling a video output module and a video output module having a specific configuration, the specific configuration of the video output module setting the characteristics of the video processing module.

Abstract: A workstation for processing and producing a video signal comprises a video input system, a video graphics processor, and a video output system. The video input system may comprise a video input module, a first video pipeline, and a second video pipeline. The video output system may comprise a receiver, a video pipeline and a video output module. In addition, the video input system may comprise a video input module having a specific configuration and a video processing module having a connector for coupling the video input module, the specific configuration of the video input module setting the characteristics of the video processing module. The video output system may comprise a video processing module having a connector for coupling a video output module and a video output module having a specific configuration, the specific configuration of the video output module setting the characteristics of the video processing module.

Abstract: A workstation for processing and producing a video signal comprises a video input system, a video graphics processor, and a video output system. The video input system may comprise a video input module, a first video pipeline, and a second video pipeline. The video output system may comprise a receiver, a video pipeline and a video output module. In addition, the video input system may comprise a video input module having a specific configuration and a video processing module having a connector for coupling the video input module, the specific configuration of the video input module setting the characteristics of the video processing module. The video output system may comprise a video processing module having a connector for coupling a video output module and a video output module having a specific configuration, the specific configuration of the video output module setting the characteristics of the video processing module.

Abstract: A video card for processing a video signal comprises an interchangeable connector module and a video processing module. The interchangeable connector module has a specific configuration. The video processing module has a connector for coupling the interchangeable connector module. The specific configuration of the interchangeable connector module sets the characteristics of the video processing module.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing video signals comprises a receiver for receiving a video signal, a video pipeline for post-processing the received video signal, the video pipeline producing a post-processed video signal, and a video output module for converting the post-processed video signal, the video output module producing a formatted video signal. The video output module may further comprise an ancillary data injector, the injector inserting ancillary data into the post-processed video signal. Also, the video output system may further comprise a generator locking device or the video input module may include a generator locking device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing video signals comprises a receiver for receiving a video signal, a video pipeline for post-processing the received video signal, the video pipeline producing a post-processed video signal, and a video output module for converting the post-processed video signal, the video output module producing a formatted video signal. The video output module may further comprise an ancillary data injector, the injector inserting ancillary data into the post-processed video signal. Also, the video output system may further comprise a generator locking device or the video input module may include a generator locking device.

Abstract: A video card for processing a video signal comprises an interchangeable connector module and a video processing module. The interchangeable connector module has a specific configuration. The video processing module has a connector for coupling the interchangeable connector module. The specific configuration of the video input module sets the characteristics of the video processing module.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for pre-processing video signals comprises a video input module, a first video pipeline, and a second video pipeline. The video input module receives and forwards one or more live video signals, producing a forwarded video signal for each received live video signal. The first video pipeline pre-processes VS1, wherein VS1 is a first stored video signal or one of the forwarded video signals produced in the video input module, producing a first pre-processed video signal. The second video pipeline pre-processes VS2, wherein VS2 is the same video signal being pre-processed in the first video pipeline, one of the other forwarded video signals produced in the video input module, or a second stored video signal, producing a second pre-processed video signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing video signals comprises a receiver for receiving a video signal, a video pipeline for post-processing the received video signal, the video pipeline producing a post-processed video signal, and a video output module for converting the post-processed video signal, the video output module producing a formatted video signal. The video output module may further comprise an ancillary data injector, the injector inserting ancillary data into the post-processed video signal. Also, the video output system may further comprise a generator locking device or the video input module may include a generator locking device.

Abstract: A workstation for processing and producing a video signal comprises a video input system, a video graphics processor, and a video output system. The video input system may comprise a video input module, a first video pipeline, and a second video pipeline. The video output system may comprise a receiver, a video pipeline and a video output module. In addition, the video input system may comprise a video input module having a specific configuration and a video processing module having a connector for coupling the video input module, the specific configuration of the video input module setting the characteristics of the video processing module. The video output system may comprise a video processing module having a connector for coupling a video output module and a video output module having a specific configuration, the specific configuration of the video output module setting the characteristics of the video processing module.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for packing and unpacking pixels using a shift-down register and a shift-up register. In general, the shift-down register and shift-up register have the same bit storage capacity. In addition, the shift-down register and the shift-up register have a bit storage capacity larger in size than the bit storage capacity of the memory device from which the pixels are unpacked, or to which the pixels are packed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for converting color data from a higher color resolution to a lower color resolution. Color data is converted by first receiving a plurality of bits representing color data for an image. Next, a subset of pixels represented by the plurality of bits is selected. The color data for each pixel within the selected subset is then divided into least significant bits and most significant bits. Next, the least significant bits for each pixel within the selected subset are compared to a corresponding value in a lookup table. Finally, for each pixel within the selected subset, if the least significant bits are greater than the corresponding value in the lookup table, then the most significant bits are incremented.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for video signal frame rate matching using three buffers. The method and apparatus reads frame data out of the third buffer. At substantially the same time, the method and apparatus fills the first buffer with the next sequence of frame data and then fills the second buffer with the next sequence of frame data, continuing to alternate the fills between the first buffer and the second buffer until all of the frame data has been read from the third buffer. Next, the method and apparatus determines which of the first buffer or second buffer has been filled with the most current and most complete frame data. Last, the method and apparatus reads the frame data out of the determined buffer.

Abstract: A back end unit for use with a graphics processor includes an input for receiving graphics data streams from the graphics processor, an output for transmitting graphics data streams, and a plurality of paths, coupled with the input and output, that direct graphics data streams between the input and the output. The plurality of paths direct data between the various modules that are a part of the back end unit. To that end, among other things, the back end unit also includes a gamma correction module that applies gamma correction operations to graphics data streams, a cursor module that adds cursor data to graphics data streams, and a digital to analog converter that converts the graphics data streams from a digital format to an analog format. The plurality of paths thus permit graphics data streams to pass through no more than two of the gamma correction module, the cursor module, and the digital to analog converter.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for displaying a television signal on a computer monitor first receives a selected first field data block of the television signal for display by the monitor. The television signal preferably includes a stream of first field data blocks and second field data blocks that are intended for display by respective first and second sets of lines on the computer monitor. After receipt of the first field data block, an immediately preceding second field data block is faded to produce a faded second block. The faded second block then is displayed on the second set of lines of the monitor, and the first field data block is displayed on the first set of lines of the monitor.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for converting color data from a higher color resolution to a lower color resolution. Color data is converted by first receiving a plurality of bits representing color data for an image. Next, a subset of pixels represented by the plurality of bits is selected. The color data for each pixel within the selected subset is then divided into least significant bits and most significant bits. Next, the least significant bits for each pixel within the selected subset are compared to a corresponding value in a lookup table. Finally, for each pixel within the selected subset, if the least significant bits are greater than the corresponding value in the lookup table, then the most significant bits are incremented.