Dual format digital video production system

Abstract

An audio / video production system is implemented on a PC-based platform, preferably utilizing various forms of removable magnetic, optical, or magneto-optical storage media. Specially modified cameras or other sources provide digitally data-compressed audio and video program materials in two formats, a first format having a higher data-compression ratio and intended for use in off-line systems to develop edit decision lists, and a second format having a lower data-compression ratio and intended for use in on-line editing and to produce the final representations of the programs. Off-line editing decisions may thus be developed on a PC using removable storage media, and final representations of the programs may be produced on-line in accordance with stationary-head or rotary-head digital-tape-based formats, such as DAT, 6-mm or 8-mm tapes. In an alternative embodiment, automatic and unattended editing, or extended program playback of more than 40 hours duration of digital video, is available.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThis invention relates generally to video recording systems associated with the editing of program materials, and, more particularly, to a system that takes advantage of a PC-based platform for performing non-linear editing functions.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONTraditional video editing systems are generally divided into two categories: linear and non-linear. Linear editing systems are generally integrated with tape-based program storage, while non-linear editing systems are associated more closely with disk-based storage media, wherein random-access storage more easily may be implemented. The typical linear editing system is implemented with one of the many "broadcast quality" videotape recording formats. The choices for analog recorders include, among others, 1" C-format, Betacam, Betacam-SP, 3 / 4" U-matic, U-matic-SP, S-VHS, and Hi-8. The choices for digital recorders include, among others, D-1, D-2, D-3, D-5, DCT, and Digital Betacam. Each of these recording ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

By employing one of several new, small, inexpensive storage media such as PCMCIA-based disk drives, and by utilizing data-compression technology, the off-line editing capabilities are achieved in an economical system, with the digital-tape-based formats providing broadcast-quality required even for demanding applications. Recording duration capacity for these media is 60 to 120 minutes or longer for conventional NTSC or PAL video formats, and a natural extension to HDTV formats (with comparable program duration capacity) is achieved as commercial availability of storage media having higher recording densities becomes economically practical. Where compatibility to film materials is desirable, operation of the various system components at 24 frames-per-second is implemented.

Problems solved by technology

Each of these recording formats is incompatible with any other format, and all require sophisticated system facilities, including synchronization systems, edit controllers, audio and video switchers and processors, digital video effects .[.(DYE).].

This, in turn, requires extensive physical plant facilities for electric power, air conditioning and air filtration, storage space, and maintenance equipment.

Furthermore, large operational and maintenance staffs are required to keep the equipment in good working order.

Because of the relatively high cost of these storage media when long-duration recording periods are required, such systems are relegated to use as off-line editing systems applied to the preparation of edit decision lists (EDLs) for use in edit suites incorporating linear editing systems.

As currently implemented by many manufacturers (such as AVID and videoCube), PC-based hard disk storage is very expensive.

Because these two digitizing steps must be performed in real time, this is an expensive, time-consuming process which requires well-drained and expensive operational and engineering personnel.

Images