Abstract: A device that calculates a field difference by ROM and also a correlation between the calculated result and the delayed calculated result by ROM to detect one shot of flicker, and which uses a personal computer to examine the continued occurrence of the flicker-containing scene to make a final decision of the presence or absence of the flicker.

Abstract: First data representing a picture is quantized into quantization-resultant data. Information corresponding to a predetermined special effect on a picture represented by the quantization-resultant data is generated in response to the quantization-resultant data. The quantization-resultant data is converted into conversion-resultant data. The conversion-resultant data and the information are multiplexed into multiplexing-resultant data. The multiplexing-resultant data is compressed into compression-resultant data of a predetermined code.

Abstract: Pan, tilt and zoom sensors are coupled to a broadcast camera in order to determine the field of view of the broadcast camera and to make a rough estimate of a target's location in the broadcast camera's field of view. Pattern recognition techniques can be used to determine the exact location of the target in the broadcast camera's field of view. If a preselected target is at least partially within the field of view of the broadcast camera, all or part of the target's image is enhanced. The enhancements include replacing the target image with a second image, overlaying the target image or highlighting the target image. Examples of a target include a billboard, a portion of a playing field or another location at a live event. The enhancements made to the target's image can be seen by the television viewer but are not visible to persons at the live event.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for capturing and compressing an original uncompressed video signal which enables decoding and reversible reconstruction of a decompressed version of the original video signal. The system includes an input for receiving a signal indicating a special effect operation by which a first frame of a video signal is irreversibly transformed to a special effect frame. This is achieved by combining decompressed frame pixel data of the first frame with information comprising either pixel data of a second frame or a single scaling value to be used to scale plural pixels of a frame. The information indicates a special effect operation which can be performed on decompressed pixel data of the first frame to produce a special effect frame (e.g., the information can include a separate indicator specifying a specific operation or the information by its mere presence can indicate the special effect operation). The system also includes a processor for compressing pixel data of the first frame.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for changing a video image having a number of luminance areas to a drawing-style image. An edge boundary between two luminance areas of the video image may be detected and a key signal may be generated therefrom. The key signal may be nonlinear transformed to generate a transformed key signal. Two color signals may be mixed in accordance with the transformed key signal so that the boundary of the video image may be displayable as a line in the drawing-style image.

Abstract: A digital video effects system for producing live-action video effects in real time includes an address generator having a pair of 2-D tables for providing x-coordinate and y-coordinate offset values. A third 2-D table contains warp activation factors (activators) which are scaled by a clip and gain processing technique to produce scaled activators. The scaled activators are used to scale the x- and y-offset values which are then combined with the original raster-order addresses to produce frame buffer readout addresses. An output video signal is produced by an inverse mapping of the input frame buffer to the output. The 2-D tables provide control of the image on a pixel-by-pixel basis. The degree of scaling by the clip and gain unit varies with time so that the resulting readout addresses also vary with time. A video effect, therefore, is produced simply by adjusting the scaling of the clip and gain unit. Moreover, a variety of effects can be achieved simply by changing the various 2-D tables.

Abstract: When an image size is changed by using a linear interpolating process, a picture quality is improved so as not to overlap the position of an original signal and the position of an interpolation signal. An interpolation interval Vdp which is derived from an original image and an image size after the conversion is stored into a register of an input side and is accumulated and added by an adder from a register of an output side through a selector. A predetermined calculation is performed and an offset value q.sub.0 is obtained in a circuit. The value q.sub.0 is selected by the selector and the register of the output side is initialized for a vertical blanking period. Thus, a value (.delta.+nVdp) in which the value q.sub.0 was added to the accumulation value of Vdp is derived. On the basis of the value (.delta.+nVdp), a read address (n) of the original image and linear interpolation coefficients q.sub.n1 and q.sub.n2 are obtained.

Abstract: First data representing a picture is quantized into quantization-resultant data. Information corresponding to a predetermined special effect on a picture represented by the quantization-resultant data is generated in response to the quantization-resultant data. The quantization-resultant data is converted into conversion-resultant data. The conversion-resultant data and the information are multiplexed into multiplexing-resultant data. The multiplexing-resultant data is compressed into compression-resultant data of a predetermined code.

Abstract: A new method and apparatus for creating, positioning and manipulating a garbage matte which obscures everything outside of a three-dimensional physical set or blue stage. Effectively, the garbage matte is a "negative" of a blue stage. What is important is that the garbage matte is created either as a virtual enclosure around all virtual objects in the virtual environment, or simply as a background color of the graphics engine generating the garbage matte. In this way, the garbage matte provides extensions of blue screens which comprise the blue stage, extending all the way around and behind the television cameras. Consequently, a compositor will not include in a composited output image those physical set elements which are masked by the virtual garbage matte. The compositor will replace areas hidden by the garbage matte with image data supplied by the computer image generator which stores the virtual environment.

Abstract: A digital video effects apparatus has a graphical user interface having a display upon which is produced a video image within a predetermined shape, the video Image being rotated in time and space to represent a 3-dimensional effect. Control points are set by a user together with rotation angles and x-y scaling parameters of the video image. The apparatus interpolates between the control points to provide a smooth transition from control point to control point. The video image is zoomed in and out as the video image changes orientation and/or size so that the video image substantially fills an image area of the graphical user interface display. In the invention the video image is tracked on the GUI display even when it is outside the normally visible screen area.

Abstract: A motion estimation and compensation technique is provided for interlaced digital video such as video object planes (VOPs). Predictor motion vectors for use in differentially encoding a current field coded macroblock are obtained using the median of motion vectors of surrounding blocks or macroblocks. When a surrounding macroblock is itself interlaced coded, an average motion vector for that macroblock is used, with fractional pixel values being mapped to the half-pixel. When the current block is not interlaced coded but a surrounding block is, the field motion vectors may be used individually or averaged. In a repetitive padding technique for an interlaced coded VOP, the even and odd lines of the VOP and surrounding block are grouped. Within each field, exterior pixels are padded by setting them to the value of the nearest boundary pixel, or to an average of two boundary pixels. The lines are then reordered to provide a single padded reference VOP image.

Abstract: An image data processing apparatus for adding a special effect to an input image data, which is provided with function data generating circuit for generating function data in accordance with positions of pixel data for each pixel data forming the image data, random number generating circuit for generating different random numbers for each pixel data, and output circuit for judging based on the function data and the random number data if the corresponding pixel data is valid data or invalid data, outputting the pixel data only when valid data.

Abstract: A virtual 3-D object video signal V1 is produced by performing a 3-D image transformation for a source video signal, and a 2-D objet video signal V2 for virtually representing the 3-D image transformation is produced by projecting the object video signal V1 onto an X-Y plane. Further, 3-D shadow signals V3 and V5 are produced by projecting the 3-D image transformed 3-D object video signal V1 onto a shadow plane, and 2-D shadow signals V4 and V6 corresponding to said 2-D object video signal are produced by projecting the 3-D shadow signals onto the X-Y plane. Therefore, a shadow signal for a 3-D image transformed object video signal can be produced by calculations.

Abstract: The invention enables processing of a time-varying video image in a manner that blurs (or "smears") the time-varying portion or portions of the video image as successive frames of video data are processed. Such smearing is particularly useful in reducing the choppiness and jerkiness that degrades the viewability of the time-varying portions of a displayed video image when the frame rate is low. The invention blends corresponding video data components from a current video frame and a previous video frame to achieve the smearing effect. The invention enables the degree to which the video data from each of the frames affects the processed video data to be varied. The exact blending can be based upon, for example, the magnitude of the frame rate. Further, in processing each video frame, each of a set of related video data components can be processed serially to enable the invention to be implemented more compactly and inexpensively.

Abstract: A system for handling special television video features digitally. The system receives incoming broadcast video into a switch (106). The switch allows the viewer to select a main channel and at least one auxiliary channel for viewing as a special feature, if the viewer does not want to view only the main channel for that particular special feature. The main video channel data is processed by a scan converter (216) to convert it from interlaced to progressive scan. A logic device (212) handles the auxiliary channel data to format it into the selected special feature and inputs that data to the scan converter (216) such that the special feature appears in the proper place relative to the main channel image.

Abstract: Processes, devices and systems for creating, manipulating and displaying images employing variable-geometry pixels. Pixels may vary in size, shape or position. Storage and transmission requirements may thus be reduced; as well as an increase in apparent resolution.

Abstract: A circuit for achieving a special effect in a television set (TV) by means of digital convergence, which includes an operating circuit for operating a digital convergence and a memory for storing special effect data. The circuit includes a first memory for storing special effect data, a second memory for storing standard coincidence data and a CPU for operating on the standard coincidence data so as to produce special effect data in accordance with a user instruction.

Abstract: A system for processing an input signal so as to automatically apply a plurality of effects thereto in a user-defined manner. The dynamics of the input signal are analyzed so as to generate a plurality of signal characteristics. Each signal characteristic is processed through a plurality of effects in a manner controlled by the user so as to be routed automatically to such of the effects in the plurality of effects as the user defines.

Abstract: A picture replacement system for replacing a specified area of an original picture, with a desired picture comprising at least one camera for shooting an original picture of the subject; at least one irradiation unit for radiating a specified area of the subject with a predetermined invisible light ray; a picture generation unit for generating a desired picture that matches a size of the specified area; a detection unit for detecting the invisible light ray reflecting from the specified area that has passed around an obstruction in front of the specified area of the subject without being obstructed; a key signal generation unit for generating a key signal indicating a replacement area of the original picture based on a detection result of the detection unit; and a replacement unit for replacing the specified area within the replacement area with a desired picture corresponding to the key signal indicating the replacement area.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transition effects in digitally compressed motion video, such video complying with the MPEG-1 standard. Transitions between two frames of video are effectuated by selecting a FROM frame and a TO frame, generating a stream of bidirectionally dependent duplicator frames which vary in their motion vector references to the FROM frame and the TO frame according to a predefined pattern, placing the FROM frame in the past buffer of a decoder, placing the TO frame in the future frame of a decoder, feeding the stream of duplicator frames to the decoder, causing the duplicator frames to be displayed, and beginning normal playback of the video stream containing the TO frame at the TO frame position.

Abstract: An anti-eye strain apparatus and method which automatically adjusts the brightness of a display to cause the muscles of the eyes of the user to adjust and refocus such that eye fatigue or tiredness is reduced or eliminated. The brightness is varied within a particular range and the brightness within this range is occasionally or periodically adjusted. The changing brightness preferably follows a predetermined pattern or cycle. These brightness changes may be perceptible or imperceptible to the viewer. The brightness of the display may be adjusted electronically or mechanically, for example by a potentiometer, by a computer attached to a monitor, for example by an application or software, or by changing the palette of colors or the gray scale.

Abstract: A device and method that overlays, onto a new colored background a subject clipped from a source video image having a subject moving against a first colored background. A clipping key KD is calculated which makes it possible to separate the color space representing the image into three regions, a first region defining a volume representing the first colored background, a second region defining a volume representing the subject, and a third region representing a region of transition between the first colored background and the subject. A video image VD representing the subject moving against the new colored background formed according to the formula:VD=KD.times.subject video+(1-KD).times.background video,where "subject video" and background video respectively represent a video image containing the subject and the video image of the new colored background.

Abstract: A sports event video manipulating system for manipulating a representation of a sports event, the sports editor including a video field grabber operative to grab at least one video field including a video image A/D converter operative to digitize a grabbed video field, an object tracker operative to track an object through a plurality of successive video fields, an object highlighter receiving input from the object tracker and operative to highlight the tracked object on each of the plurality of successive video fields, a D/A image converter operative to convert output of the object highlighter into a video standard format, and a video display monitor.

Abstract: A method for compositing first and second digital images having different pixel aspect ratios to reduce distortion of image content. The method includes determining a scaling factor from first and second pixel aspect ratios; scaling a first image by the scaling factor; and compositing the first and second images into a composite image. The scaling step may be limited to stretching or squashing the first image in only a horizontal direction. The scaling step may include resampling the first image. In another aspect, the invention features a method for controlling motion along a motion path in a composition having nonsquare pixels. The method includes determining a scaling factor based on the composition pixel aspect ratio; applying the scaling factor to a copy of the motion path; reparameterizing the copy of the motion path to generate a scaled motion mapping; and using the scaled motion mapping to control motion along the motion path. The motion path may define the motion of a layer in the composition.

Abstract: Pan, tilt and zoom sensors are coupled to a broadcast camera in order to determine the field of view of the broadcast camera and to make a rough estimate of a target's location in the broadcast camera's field of view. Pattern recognition techniques can be used to determine the exact location of the target in the broadcast camera's field of view. If a preselected target is at least partially within the field of view of the broadcast camera, all or part of the target's image is enhanced. The enhancements include replacing the target image with a second image, overlaying the target image or highlighting the target image. Examples of a target include a billboard, a portion of a playing field or another location at a live event. The enhancements made to the target's image can be seen by the television viewer but are not visible to persons at the live event.

Abstract: A system for enhancing the television presentation of an object at a sporting event includes one or more sensors which are used to determine the location of the object. Based on the location of the object and the field of view of a broadcast camera, a processor determines the position of the object in a video frame of the broadcast camera. Once knowing where the object is positioned within the video frame, the television signal can be edited or augmented to enhance the presentation of the object.

Abstract: A device for processing color data (R, G, B) of a signal representing an image. The processing device has a mechanism which, for each color data item, consist of an analog/digital converter (12, 13, 14) and a buffer memory (MT1, MT2, MT3), a circuit (PT) for processing the digital data output by each buffer memory, and serializer circuits (SE1, SE2, SE3) which collect the signals output by the processing circuit (PT) and make it possible to generate signals (D1, D2, D3) intended to reproduce the image with a slow-motion effect. According to an improvement of the invention, the control unit includes a mechanism (MO, SE4) for generating a signal (I) making it possible to reproduce the image at normal speed. The device applies particularly to television studio cameras in the professional sector.

Abstract: A camera (10) captures a subject facial image. A unit (30) generates a tracking signal containing feature extraction data. In conjunction with a memory store (40), the unit (30) generates an output signal representing a substitute face having the features of the subject face. To generate the tracking signal, the facial area is detected (3103, 3107-8) initially and used in location of the mouth (3102, 3110-3114) and eyes (3104-6, 3115-3118). Only the H and S components are used for detecting the facial area; and only the S and V components for the mouth within the facial area. A face vector may be generated (50) using the tracking signals.

Abstract: A video signal reproducing apparatus is arranged to use a first video signal which corresponds to an image sensed state of an object and is obtained by sensing the object's image and a second video signal which is reproduced from a record bearing medium; and to form and produce at least one picture plane portion of a third video signal which includes and has the first and second video signals mixed therein in a time sharing manner.

Abstract: A video signal processing apparatus for separating a video input into a luminance signal and a chroma signal which are sent respectively for individualized special effect processing. Special effect signals are fed to a control unit. The levels of a luminance signal and a chroma signal having undergone the special effect processing are estimated by a program. Based on the result of the estimate, a limiter controls the gains of the chroma signal following the special effect processing. In this setup, the gains of the chroma signal are controlled so that the level of a composite video signal will fall within a predetermined range of levels in keeping with the contents of the special effect processing performed on the luminance signal and chroma signal.

Abstract: An image processing system conducts a video effect processing. In the mosaic-image-processing, a dc component of inversely quantized discrete cosine transform (DCT) coefficients is multiplied by a constant h other than zero and an ac component of the inversely quantized DCT coefficients is replaced with zero. In the case of monochromatic-image-processing, a dc component D.sub.y of a luminance block Y of the inversely quantized DCT coefficients is multiplied by a constant i other than zero and an ac component A.sub.y of the luminance block Y is multiplied by a constant I other than zero, dc components D.sub.Cb and D.sub.Cr of chrominance blocks Cb and Cr of the inversely quantized DCT coefficients are replaced with constants j and k, respectively, and ac components A.sub.Cb and A.sub.Cr of the chrominance blocks Cb and Cr are replaced with constants J and K, respectively. In the thermographic-image processing, a dc component D.sub.y of the luminance block Y is processed into dc components D.sub.Cb '=mD.sub.

Abstract: A video signal editing apparatus that can easily switch the entire apparatus to a predetermined setting.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a video display processor comprised apparatus for receiving digital input signal components of a signal to be displayed, apparatus for converting the components to a desired format, apparatus for scaling and blending the signals in the desired format, apparatus for outputting the scaled and blended signals for display or further processing, and an arbiter and local timing apparatus for controlling the apparatus substantially independently of a host CPU.

Abstract: Moving-picture processing apparatus and method wherein image data and special effects data are transmitted in common in a time-division manner includes receiving structure and method for receiving, in a time-division manner, (i) coded digital moving-picture data which represent a moving picture and (ii) command data for commanding image modification processing to be applied to the digital moving-picture data. Decoding structure and method is provided for decoding the coded digital moving-picture data. A processor is provided for subjecting the digital moving-picture data received by the decoding structure to the image modification processing. Image forming structure forms an image in dependence upon the digital moving-picture data processed by the processor. The digital moving-picture data and the command data are transmitted through a common transmission line. This avoids the prior art problem of performing image modification processing before the data is encoded for transmission, thus causing, e.g.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for analyzing and enhancing a received data signal representing one or more views of a captured scene. The received data signal includes a plurality of data points. Each view includes a plurality of image points. Ones of the plurality of data points are representative of ones of the plurality of image points. A plurality of data sets are identified wherein each one of the data sets includes ones of the plurality of data points. Ones of the identified data sets are compared with one or more standard values and, in response thereto, are enhanced selectively to generate an output signal representing a processed 3-D scene estimate.

Abstract: A method for gradually adjusting intensity of a color component of pixels of successive images in a video data includes the steps of: a) providing an offset value; b) adding the offset value to the color component of each of the pixels of the successive images of the video data to generate an adjusted color component; c) setting a frequency factor indicative of times of adjustment of the offset value, the frequency factor corresponding to a number of the successive images per adjustment of the offset value; and d) adjusting the offset value in a predetermined manner in accordance with the frequency factor. An apparatus for gradually adjusting intensity of the color component is also disclosed.

Abstract: A digital video audio processing apparatus in which serial signal formed digital video signals and digital audio signals, which are supplied to a plurality of input terminals and are multiplexed each other, are converted into parallel signal form respectively; the digital video signals and digital audio signals are separated respectively; switching processing or video special effect processing is performed on a plurality of digital video signals; switching processing or mixing processing is performed on a plurality of digital audio signals; and these processed digital video signals and digital audio signals are multiplexed each other to convert into serial signal form and output them.

Abstract: An image data processing apparatus for adding a special effect to an input image data, which is provided with function data generating means for generating function data in accordance with positions of pixel data for each pixel data forming the image data, random number generating means for generating different random numbers for each pixel data, and output means for judging based on the function data and the random number data if the corresponding pixel data is valid data or invalid data, outputting the pixel data only when valid data.

Abstract: In a scanning line converting operation, an image signal is processed through a system including memories, switches, arithmetic circuits, an adder, a subtracter and a switch. In a graphic process, coordinate data processed by a parameter generator and a drawing unit is subjected to a coordinate converting calculation by the arithmetic circuits and supplied to an address generator. Based on an address generated by the address generator, a texture model, which has been stored in a memory under control of a CPU, is read out and supplied to a synthesizing circuit. In the synthesizing circuit, the texture model is attached to a polygon output from a drawing unit.

Abstract: A video signal reproducing apparatus is arranged to use a first video signal which corresponds to an image sensed state of an object and is obtained by sensing the object's image and a second video signal which is reproduced from a record bearing medium; and to form and produce at least one picture plane portion of a third video signal which includes and has the first and second video signals mixed therein in a time sharing manner.

Abstract: A video processing method and apparatus for processing video frames comprising animated images so as to blur movement of the animated images between successive frames, the method or apparatus comparing a first input frame with the following input frame; identifying moving areas in the first input frame by the comparison; calculating the velocity of the movement of the moving areas between the first and following input frame; summing, only for each input pixel site within the identified moving areas of the input frame, the pixel value of each input pixel site and adjacent pixel values determined according to the calculated velocities and a predetermined aperture type for the input frame; and providing an output frame from at least the summed pixel values and pixel values of areas of the input frame other than the moving area, the adjacent pixel values either being the pixel values of pixel sites in the input frame which are spatially adjacent in the direction of the velocity or predicted temporally adjacent pi

Abstract: A cascaded anti-aliasing filter control circuit for sampled images has a plurality of video effects modules coupled in a chain,. each module performing a particular transform of a cascaded video effect. An input module has as inputs constants for the particular transform and a pixel address signal, and provides as outputs a new pixel address signal and a set of partial derivative signals. The new pixel address signal is input to a next module in the chain as the pixel address signal, and the set of partial derivative signals are input to a matrix multiplier. A set of partial derivative signals from the next module also are input to the matrix multiplier to produce an intermediate set of partial derivative signals.

Abstract: A video adapter and computer/video system generate a video output signal having a first format useable by other video equipment. This signal is then looped back through the video adapter to generate a signal in a second format suitable for previewing on a monitor or display. The video adapter includes at least first and second data rate changers (preferably FIFOs), a controller unit, and circuitry for scaling and color-space converting the computer-processed video into the second format. Externally provided video input is multiplexed to a rate-increasing FIFO whose output is coupled to an IOSIMM unit in the computer/video system for video processing, through a master rate-decreasing FIFO whose output is output-controlled, format-processed and provided as the first format output signal. The output-controlled signal is coupled to a scaler, color-space converter and passed to a master rate-increasing FIFO.

Abstract: A computer implemented process for extracting and processing information in a vertical interval of a video signal comprising a plurality of video lines selects a portion of the vertical interval from the video lines as the video lines are coupled to a computer bus, detects information stored in the selected portion, places the detected information on the bus of the computer, processes the detected information according to the portion of the vertical interval from which it is selected, and processes the video lines responsive to the detected information from the vertical interval.

Abstract: A video signal processing apparatus for separating a video input into a luminance signal and a chroma signal which are sent respectively for individualized special effect processing. Special effect signals are fed to a control unit. The levels of a luminance signal and a chroma signal having undergone the special effect processing are estimated by a program. Based on the result of the estimate, a limiter controls the gains of the chroma signal following the special effect processing. In this setup, the gains of the chroma signal are controlled so that the level of a composite video signal will fall within a predetermined range of levels in keeping with the contents of the special effect processing performed on the luminance signal and chroma signal.

Abstract: In a special effects video processor, a low-pass filter limits, in a horizontal direction, the bandwidth of an input video signal. A field/frame converter, receiving the video signal from the first low-pass filter, generates a frame signal which is comprised of a video signal for one frame by generating one odd or even field signal from the other said odd or even field signal. A low-pass filter limits in a vertical direction the bandwidth of such frame signal supplied from the field/frame converter. In a mapping processor, a memory stores the frame signal supplied from the second low-pass filter, and an interpolator performs interpolation for a plurality of data in the frame signal read from the memory. Such special effects video processor provides a processed video image without deterioration in quality.

Abstract: A video effect is created with a video processing machine having a plurality of functions, each of which has a state that is selectively variable in response to change in an associated function parameter. The method comprises selecting a set of functions, specifying a starting keyframe containing a starting value for each of the parameters, specifying an ending keyframe containing ending values for the parameters associated with the functions of the selected set and vacancies for the other parameters associated with other functions, and specifying a number of video frames. The starting keyframe is used to place the machine in a starting state, in which each function has the status defined by the value of its associated parameter in the starting keyframe, and a first video frame is processed with the processing machine in the starting state.

Abstract: An interactive video system has a videodisc player, a joystick, a framestore, a display, and a control device for controlling functions such as reading of frames from the framestore to the display. The videodisc player stores several sequences of moving pictures with the frames of the sequences interleaved so that changes can quickly be made from one sequence to another. To mask the reduced frame rate of any one sequence, repeated frames from the framestore are given a alternate blue and red color casts. To give the effect of changing perspectives with motion, the portion of the framestore read to the display changes in dependence upon (ii) the joystick output and (ii) the existing location of the displayed portion in the framestore.

Abstract: Each line of a television signal has a sequence of interleaved luminance and chrominance samples according to a given format (Y.sub.o U.sub.o Y.sub.1 V.sub.o etc.) which are written into a one line store using a first address sequence and then read out using a second address sequence such that the luminance samples are in reverse order, (and likewise the chrominance); however their interleaving conforms to the given format. The second address sequence is used also for writing in the next incoming line, which is then read out using the first sequence, the two sequences alternating throughout a field period. The technique is especially useful in videotelephony and videoconferencing.

Abstract: A digital video effects generator includes: means for up-sampling the digital video component signals prior to their spatial transformation and linear interpolation, thereby reducing losses due to the (sin x)/x frequency response of the sampled video signal; means for spatially-mapping video motion data representing the degree of video data motion between temporally adjacent video frames and for motion adaptive interpolation to selectively blend interpolated video field data in accordance therewith; means for pre-transform keying, thereby allowing two video signal transformations to be keyed simultaneously; means for selectively transforming portions of input video signals, thereby allowing selective keying of non-spatially transformed video into selected regions of the video image; means for selectively linking keyframes within separate effects and providing smooth parametric transitions therebetween, thereby allowing several separate effects to be combined into a single effect with smooth parametric transit