Television – Studio equipment
Reissue Patent
1998-01-30
2001-08-28
Lee, Michael H. (Department: 2714)
Television
Studio equipment
C386S349000, C386S349000, C386S349000, C386S349000, C386S349000
Reissue Patent
active
RE037342
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This 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 INVENTION
Traditional 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, ¾″ 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 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)
(
DVE
) systems, character generators, and other equipment. 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. However, recording duration capacity for these types of videotape recorders ranges up to three hours or more, making them uniquely valuable for many applications, such as program distribution, archival storage, and as master program sources for mass duplication of videos for the home video market.
In contrast, non-linear systems are based on optical discs, or alternatively, on magnetic or magneto-optical disks. 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. However, the rapid random-access features and editing ease are valuable for short programs.
As currently implemented by many manufacturers (such as AVID and videoCube), PC-based hard disk storage is very expensive. If equipped with 10 GB of storage capacity, the system, in practice, is utilized in a two-step process. First, the original unedited program material is digitized at a high data-compression ratio to provide representative pictures for use in an off-line editing environment, whereby the operator may develop an EDL. This EDL then is used to perform the required editing, using program materials that have been digitized and stored at much lower data-compression ratios. 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.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to integrate the most valuable features of linear and non-linear editing system approaches.
It is another object of the invention to provide capabilities for automatic unattended editing from edit decision lists developed on an off-line editing system.
It is yet another object of the invention to provide a PC-based digital video recorder for applications such as broadcast television playback, video duplication source-master playback, or other related applications.
A further object of the invention is to provide extended playback of 40 hours or more of digital video programming, for cable television or other uses.
The present invention achieves these and other objectives by providing a PC-based audio/video production system which addresses the problem of providing inexpensive alternatives to the large, expensive edit suites currently in common use. Digital program source material, produced by specially modified cameras or other sources, provide data-compressed audio and video program materials in two formats having matched edit-time-code identification. A first format having a higher data-compression ratio and intended for use in an off-line editing system is used to develop an edit decision list, and a second format having a lower data-compression ratio is used in an on-line editing system for the production of a final representation of the program. As such, off-line editing decisions may be developed on a PC, including a portable PC, using removable storage media, and final representations of the programs may be implemented on a stationary-head or rotary-head digital-tape-based format, such as DAT, 6-mm or 8-mm.
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.
A method of producing a final video program according to the invention therefore includes the steps of providing program source materials in the first and second digital formats, the first format being characterized in having a higher data compression ratio than the second; recording the materials in the first and second formats, respectively, onto first and second removable storage media along with correlated edit-time-code information in each case; interfacing the first storage medium to an off-line video editing system to develop an edit decision list: interfacing the second storage medium to an on-line video editing system; transferring the edit decision list developed in conjunction with the off-line video editing system to the on-line video editing system; and editing the materials in the second
formal
format
on the second storage medium, in accordance with the edit decision list, to produce a final video program.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5164839 (1992-11-01), Lang
patent: 5218672 (1993-06-01), Morgan et al.
patent: 5459582 (1995-10-01), Takahashi
patent: 5572499 (1996-11-01), Kohtani et al.
patent: 5649046 (1997-07-01), Stewart et al.
patent: 358044856A (1983-03-01), None
Panasonic NAB 95 Catalog. No Date.
Schwab Barry H.
Washino Kinya
Gifford Krass Groh Sprinkle Anderson & Citkowski PC
Lee Michael H.
Multi-Format, Inc.
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