Abstract: The invention, in one embodiment, is a method for performing direct memory access. The method includes arbitrating between a chained, low priority, direct memory access and a high priority, direct memory access, the arbitration occurring between two links in the chained, low priority, direct memory access.

Abstract: During recording of a television signal on a VCR, data are accumulated with respect to the time of occurrence and duration of detectable events, such as blank frames, in the television signal, and such data are stored. Timing reference data are written onto the tape as it is recorded. At a time subsequent to the recording process, the stored data are analyzed to classify the content of the television signal between the detectable events and a playback map is constructed for the recorded signal. During playback, the stored playback map is retrieved and stored timing data are compared to the timing reference data read from the tape. The VCR is automatically commanded into a fast scan mode when the tape reaches the beginning time of a portion of the video signal that has been classified for elimination during playback. The VCR is then automatically commanded to return to the normal "play" mode when the tape reaches the ending time of that portion of the video signal.