Abstract: A data processing apparatus, comprising data storage having a plurality of defined storage elements, memory containing usage data indicating which of the storage elements contains data, and a processor is configured to update the usage data in response to data being stored within the data storage. The memory contains a datastore. The processor is configured to analyze the usage data to determine the number of the storage elements not containing data, store information within the datastore indicating the number of storage elements not containing data and read information from the data storage to determine whether the further data may be stored.

Abstract: A first image processing system, a second image processing system, a first storage system and a second storage system communicate over a high bandwidth switch. The switch connects the first processing system to the first storage system and also connects the second processing system to the second storage system. At the first image processing system, first location data is read to identify the location of frames on the first frame storage system. Similarly, at the second image processing system second location data is read to identify the location frames on the second frame storage system. In response to control commands issued to the switch, the first image processing system is disconnected from the first storage system and reconnected to the second storage system. Similarly, the second processing system is disconnected from the second storage system and reconnected to the first storage system.

Abstract: A data processing apparatus, comprising a plurality of host computers, a plurality of storage devices and a switch; wherein each host computer and each storage device is connected to said switch such that each host computer is provided with switchable storage; each host computer has internal storage on which is stored first data that is necessary for said communication between itself and the storage devices to which it is connected, and second data that relates to at least one of said host computers and storage devices; and each host computer is configured to identify each of said host computers that is missing from said second data; and request said first data from each of said identified host computers in order to construct said second data.

Abstract: Image editing apparatus, comprising a plurality of image processing systems and a plurality of frame storage means. Some or all of the image processing systems are connected to a high bandwidth switching means, as are some or all of the frame storage means. The switching means forms a connection between a first image processing system and a first frame storage means, and the first image processing system accesses data stored on an additional processing system that is necessary to access frames stored as clips on the first frame storage means. This data comprises information specifying, for each frame on the first frame storage means, the clip to which it belongs, its position in that clip and effects to be applied to the frame.

Abstract: Data processing apparatus, comprising data storage means having a plurality of defined storage elements, memory means containing usage data indicating which of said storage elements contains data, and processing means configured to update said usage data in response to data being stored within said data storage means. The memory means further contains a datastore. The processing means is configured to analyse said usage data to determine the number of said storage elements not containing data, store information within said datastore indicating said number of storage elements not containing data and read information from said data storage means to determine whether said further data may be stored.

Abstract: A first image processing system, a second image processing system, a first storage system and a second storage system communicate over a high bandwidth switch. The switch connects the first processing system to the first storage system and also connects the second processing system to the second storage system. At the first image processing system, first location data is read to identify the location of frames on the first frame storage system. Similarly, at the second image processing system second location data is read to identify the location frames on the second frame storage system. In response to control commands issued to the switch, the first image processing system is disconnected from the first storage system and reconnected to the second storage system. Similarly, the second processing system is disconnected from the second storage system and reconnected to the first storage system.