Abstract: Processing is applied to convert an input compressed video bitstream into an output compressed video bitstream having a different bit rate and/or representing different imagery from the input bitstream. The bitstream conversion processing is adjusted based on control parameters that are generated by comparing analogous measurements made to the input and output bitstreams so that subsequent measurements of the output bitstream will more closely match subsequent measurements of the input bitstream. In certain embodiments, the bitstream conversion processing involves decoding the input bitstream, optionally applying image processing functions to the resulting decoded video data, and re-encoding the resulting processed video data to generate the output bitstream.

Abstract: Processing is applied to convert an input compressed video bitstream into an output compressed video bitstream having a different bit rate and/or representing different imagery from the input bitstream. The bitstream conversion processing is adjusted based on control parameters that are generated by comparing analogous measurements made to the input and output bitstreams so that subsequent measurements of the output bitstream will more closely match subsequent measurements of the input bitstream. In certain embodiments, the bitstream conversion processing involves decoding the input bitstream, optionally applying image processing functions to the resulting decoded video data, and re-encoding the resulting processed video data to generate the output bitstream.

Abstract: A method for decoding variable length encoded digital video data including pictures, to a size less than the full size of the pictures, each picture including a plurality of macroblocks. The method comprises the steps of receiving digital video data; parsing the digital video data to identify macroblocks included in the digital video data; discarding from the digital video data those macroblocks not associated with a picture region substantially corresponding to one of a safe-title picture region and safe-action picture region; and storing the digital video data in a decoder input buffer.

Abstract: In a television sync signal one or more of the post-equalizing pulses of the vertical blanking interval is/are altered in duration to provide information to a receiving circuit.

Abstract: A high-definition camera uses sinuous scanning to produce wide-bandwidth signals having high definition in the horizontal direction as well as in the vertical direction. A lowpass filter produces a limited-bandwidth signal from the wideband signal. The limited-bandwidth signal is compatible with standard television broadcast systems and receivers. A subtracting circuit compares the wide-bandwidth and limited-bandwidth signals to produce a delta signal representative of the difference. The delta signal exists only in regions of fine detail which cannot be resolved by the limited-bandwidth signal. The delta signal and its address are transmitted to the receiver together with the limited-bandwidth signal. At the receiver, the high-definition image is recreated by operation of the delta signal on the limited-definition signal. The delta signal and its addresses may be transmitted during the vertical blanking interval.

Abstract: A CCD imager of frame-storage type has a frame storage register operable as a recirculating serial memory. The output ends of the parallel charge transfer channels in the image register are separated from respective ones of the input ends of the parallel charge transfer channels in the frame storage register by respective ones of the successive charge transfer stages of a line register. After the frame storage register charge packet contents are converted to serial format and sensed during selected field scan intervals, corresponding charge packets are clocked serially into the line register, then parallelly entered into the frame storage register.

Abstract: A motion detector for detecting the occurrence of image changes between successive fields of video information includes a signal averager for averaging the video signal from two lines of video signal of one video field and a signal averager for averaging the video signal from three lines of video signal of a successive field. The two average video signals are coupled to comparing means which develops a motion indicating signal when the two average video signals differ.

Abstract: Hue and saturation are modified in a composite video signal processor by detecting the phase of the chrominance signal component to determine if it possesses phase components at or near a predetermined phase angle. If such components exist, quadrature related saturation and hue modifying signals are added to the composite video signal in controlled proportions and polarities to provide a resultant composite video signal in which a specified color or range of colors is modified. The modifying signals are inhibited by a masking unit to confine the color modification to predetermined areas of the displayed color image. Specific picture locations where color changes occur are identified by substituting an AC signal within the luminance frequency band for the color modifying signals. A desaturation signal derived from the hue modifying signals is added to the composite video signal to minimize changes in saturation level of the composite video signal as hue is changed.

Abstract: A synchronizer receives from a tape playback arrangement television frames at a rate which is slightly higher or slightly lower than a standard frame-rate. The synchronizer includes four frames of storage, and reading and writing are continuous. In a mode in which the incoming frame rate is high, the read and write become separated in time as time passes due to the difference in frame rate. When reading and writing are separated by at least two frames, a motion detector is activated to continuously interrogate the memory in order to locate two identical frames. When two frames are identified as being identical, the read address is immediately switched by two fields, thereby bypassing or dropping two fields. This drop is not visible because the motion detector has identified the fields as being substantially identical.

Abstract: A signal indicative of tape tension or of recording of signal on tape is generated in a helical-scan recorder. A test signal having a particular frequency characteristic is recorded by rotating heads at a high head-to-tape speed. A fixed playback head downstream from the headwheel picks up the test signal converted in frequency by the ratio of the reading speed to the writing speed, and applies it to a detector. The detector is a synchronous detector which receives at a second input terminal a frequency-divided sample of the test signal which controls demodulation by the synchronous detector. The frequencies of the input signals to the phase detector differ by a small amount, so that an output signal can always be generated no matter what the phase of the input signal. The rate of pulsation of the output signal is indicative of tape tension.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the playback speed of a VTR features an accurate speed control signal. The reproduced signal is resynchronized to a standard speed by repeating or deleting frames when successive frames are substantially identical. In addition, or as an alternative, frame averaging can be used. Provision for real time entry is made to minimize human error. Application of the invention to both quadruplex and helical scan machines is shown.

Abstract: The size of a color television picture field is changed without changing the size of the raster. This is achieved in an apparatus that includes means responsive to a field of television video signals for sampling same and providing a predetermined number of samples of television video signals per line and a predetermined number of lines per field and means responsive to the predetermined number of samples per line and lines per field for providing a full field of television video signals. Size reduction is accomplished by causing the first mentioned means to skip samples provided at the output thereof in groups of N, where N is the number of samples in a color subcarrier cycle, and to skip line pairs of the field.

Abstract: A time base corrector for removing time base errors from video signal information of a type including synchronizing pulses is provided. A storage means in the form of a charge coupled device (CCD) has the video information coupled to its input. A start-stop oscillator in conjunction with a preset counter coupled to the storage means clocks the video information into the storage means so as to stop the clock when the input signal information has been transferred to the output terminal of the storage means. A local reference restarts the clock and the stored input signal information is clocked out in synchronism with the local reference.