Abstract: Data to be processed is stored within data files 20. Associated with each data file 20 is a header file 18. The header files 18 store data specifying a wide range of attributes of the data within the data files 20. A user selects a particular signal processing function 14 that he desires to use and this then accesses one or mope selected data files 20 and associated header files 18. The selected signal processing tool 14 only needs a set of the attributes stored within the header files 18. The signal processing tool 14 reads those attributes it requires and then manipulates the data within the data file 20. The provision of this structure allows a wide range of signal processing function tools to be integrated into a single system which may also be simply expanded.

Abstract: A method of processing an input 60 field/second video signal generated by 3232 pulldown to produce an output video signal, comprises producing from the input signal a series of progressive scan format frames, each frame corresponding to a respective one of the input fields, and comparing blocks of pixels in each progressive scan frame with blocks of pixels in the following frame to derive motion vectors representing the motion of the content of respective blocks between frames. The motion vectors are utilized to monitor the field sequence of the input signal, and fields or frames of the output video signal are produced using input fields or progressive scan frames selected in dependence upon the field sequence of the input signal, at least some of the output fields or frames being produced by motion compensated temporal interpolation utilizing the motion vectors.

Abstract: In order to simulate, on set or on location, a subsequent video to film conversion process, an input interlaced video signal is converted in any of a variety of ways to a progressive scan format video signal, and then interlaced fields of the progressive scan format frames are displayed on a video monitor or view finder.

Abstract: A portable support stand for camera unipods and camera equipment. The support stand includes a cylindrical body adapted to receive and contain a camera unipod stand or the like and to which a camera can be mounted. A series of legs are hingedly attached to a pair of collars slidably mounted about the cylindrical body. As the collars slide along the body of the support stand, the legs of the support stand are extended and retracted between a compact non-operative position and a spread apart operative position.

Abstract: Image processing apparatus is described in which a source stream of data captured by a particular source is passed through a data splitter where it is split using one splitting technique into a plurality of split streams of data. These split streams of data each contain only part of the information within the source stream of data. The split streams of data are separately manipulated by a post production unit prior to being passed through a data combiner where they are recombined to form an output stream of data. The source stream of data and the output stream of data are of a higher resolution than the individual split streams of data. The post production unit includes at least one reformatter for reformatting the data stream to use a different splitting technique matched to the manipulation being performed in the post production unit.

Abstract: In order to reduce the effects of discontinuities at the edge of a picture and reduce erosion of the usable picture area caused by a filtering or interpolation operation, the edges of the picture are extrapolated prior to such an operation. This may be achieved by a circuit which receives an input line of active pixel data; forms from the input line a delayed line of the active pixel data; produces at least one additional start pixel data derived from a pixel data at or adjacent the start of the input line; produces at least one additional end pixel data derived from a pixel data at or adjacent the end of the input line; and forms an output sequence of pixel data by selecting for the output sequence the additional start pixel data, then at least part of the delayed line, and then the additional end pixel data. This circuit therefore performs zero-order (repeat) extrapolation at the beginning and end of each line.

Abstract: An input digital video signal representing a series of input frames with at least some of the input frames each having a first picture portion having a first acquisition characteristic (such as 60 Hz, 2:1) and a second picture portion having a second acquisition characteristic (such as 30 Hz, 1:1) is processed to produce an output video signal representing a series of output frames having generally the same acquisition characteristic (such as 24 Hz, 1:1). The method comprises the steps of distinguishing between the first and second picture portions in the input frames (for example by determining the difference between input fields (a.sub.1, a.sub.2 ; a.sub.3, a.sub.4 ; . . . ) of a pair, or by detecting a key signal accompanying the input video signal) and processing the first and second picture portions differently to produce the output frames.

Abstract: A system for integrating film material with a digital video signal employs a film scanner to produce a digital video signal from the source film, and a post production system for combining with that signal the input digital video signal. Motion interpolated temporal compensation is employed at stages of frame rate conversion.

Abstract: A system for integrating film material with a digital video signal employs a film scanner to produce a digital video signal from the source film, and a post production system for combining with that signal the input digital video signal. Motion interpolated temporal compensation is employed at stages of frame rate conversion.

Abstract: Method of integrating 30 or 60 frame/s format material and 60 field/s 2:1 interlace scan format digital video signal to produce a 60 field/s 2:1 interlace scan format digital video signal by producing a progressive scan format digital video signal from the format material, converting the progressive scan format digital video signal to a 60 field/s 2:1 interlace scan format digital video signal and combining the converted signal with the 60 field/s interlace scan format digital video signal.

Abstract: A digital video signal is real-time converted from a high definition format (such as 1250 lines, 50 field/s, 2:1 interlace, with a 16:9 aspect ratio) to a conventional definition format (such as 525 lines, 60 field/s, 2:1 interlace, with a 4:3 aspect ratio) by compressing the image so that the active area extends across only part of an intermediate field/frame; by writing the pixels of the high definition fields to alternate field stores at the high definition format pixel rate; and by forming the output frames in the conventional definition format by reading, at the conventional definition pixel rate, pixels of at least part of the active portion from the field store which is not being written. Alternatively, a conventional definition format signal is converted to a high definition format by placing each conventional definition field in a portion of a high definition field and then expanding that portion substantially to fill the high definition field.

Abstract: In a method of converting a 60 field/s 2:1 interlaced video signal to 24 frame/s film, for each sequence of five input fields: the fields of at least one pair of the input fields are each progressive scan converted to form a pair of frames, and a weighted addition of the frames is made on a pixel-by-pixel basis to form an output video frame with a shifted temporal centroid, so that the temporal centroids of the output video frames are equally spaced. The output video frames are then recorded on film. In another method, the progressive scan conversion and weighted addition is performed by a single filter.

Abstract: A digital video signal is real-time converted from a high definition format, such as 1125 lines, 60 field/s, 2:1 interlace, with a 16:9 aspect ratio and 1920.times.1035 active pixels to a conventional definition format, such as 525 lines, 60 field/s, 2:1 interlace, with a 4:3 aspect ratio and 720.times.486 active pixels.The image is compressed so that the active area extends across only part of an intermediate field/frame.The pixels are written of the high definition fields to alternate field stores at the high definition format pixel rate.The output frames are formed in the conventional definition format by reading, at the conventional definition pixel rate, pixels of at least part of the active portion from the field store which is not being written.

Abstract: An input digital video signal is converted to an output digital video signal having a different frame rate and a different number of pixel lines per frame. A first series of progressive scan format frames is formed from the input signal. Then a second series of frames is formed from the first series of frames using motion compensated temporal interpolation between successive frames of the first series in producing at least some of the frames of the second series so as to provide the difference in frame rate. Before or after the second series of frames is formed, vertical spatial interpolation is performed so as to provide the difference in the number of pixel lines per frame.

Abstract: Video tape recorder speed control apparatus for controlling a video tape recorder (1) to cause it to reproduce a recorded video signal at a predetermined speed, such as a fraction 1/n of the normal speed, the apparatus comprising the video tape recorder (1), first and second counters (25,26), the first and second counters (25, 26) being incremented by a signal locked in frequency to the field repetition frequency of the video signal at the normal playback speed thereof, the first counter (25) resetting periodically at intervals determined by the predetermined speed, the second counter (26) being reset with a signal locked in frequency to the field repetition frequency of the video signal being reproduced by the video tape recorder (1), a comparator (27) for periodically comparing the counts of the first and second counters (25, 26) thereby to derive a phase error signal, and a control signal generator (28, 29, 30) to derive in dependence on the phase error signal a signal to control the reproduction speed of

Abstract: A video image capture apparatus including an image sensor for sensing light at a plurality of pixel positions received via an optical system, picture storage means for temporarily storing pixels derived from the image sensor, address generation means for applying differing write and read addresses to the picture storage to effect mapping of input pixels from the image sensor to provide output pixels compensating for the effects of imperfections of the optical system is described. A video camera producing high quality output images for instance can thereby be produced.

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.

Abstract: A digital video signal is real-time converted from a conventional definition format, such as 525 lines, 60 field/s, 2:1 interlace, with a 4:3 aspect ratio and 720.times.486 active pixels, to a high definition format, such as 1125 lines, 60 field/s, 2:1 interlace, with a 16:9 aspect ratio and 1920.times.1035 active pixels by writing the pixels of the conventional definition fields to alternate field stores at the conventional definition format pixel rate; by formed intermediate frames in the high definition format by reading pixels from the field store which is not being written at the high definition pixel rate and adding background pixel data between the lines of the read pixels and between the fields of the read pixels; by translating the pixels of the intermediate image, if necessary; and by expanding the image so that the originating pixel data extends across the whole frame in at least one direction.

Abstract: Apparatus for processing a video signal derived by single frame animation for subsequent merging with live action material, comprises a motion vector estimator (11) for deriving motion vectors in dependence on motion in the picture sequence represented by the video signal, and an interpolator (12) and associated circuits (14 to 16) for blurring the images represented by the video signal of objects in the picture sequence so determined as being in motion in dependence on the motion vectors.

Abstract: Apparatus for converting, for example, 24 Hz 1:1 format film to, for example, a 60 Hz 2:1 interlace format video signal comprises a converter (12) for transferring 24 Hz 1:1 format film material to a 60 Hz 2:1 interlace format video signal using 3 2 3 2 pull down, and a coder (13) associated with the converter (12) for associating a 10-field sequence identifier with the video signal. The 10-field sequence identifier is used to maintain identification of the phantom fields and the field sequence through subsequent processing, and in particular to control motion processing.