JP2000306367A - Data recording and reproducing apparatus and generating method for reference signal - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make easily synchronizable a system with a reference signal even when the reference signal is not inputted from a dedicated input terminal. SOLUTION: An external synchronizing signal is inputted to a terminal 82 so as to be supplied to the first input end of selector 83. Synchronizing signals are extracted from respective video signals. which are inputted to an input port 60A and an input port 60C', and they are supplied to the second input end and the third input end of the selector 83. The first, second and third input ends are selected by the selector 83. A selected output is supplied to a timing pulse generator 41 as a reference video signal Vref. A reference signal which is generated on the basis of the reference video signal Vref by the generator 41 is supplied to respective ports 60A to 60D. When the second or third input end of the selector 83 is selected, an external reference signal which is supplied to, e.g. a video camera and which is superposed on the output signal of the camera can be used as the reference signal of the output ports 60B, 60D.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a data recording / reproducing apparatus and a reference signal generating method capable of obtaining synchronization between a plurality of input ports without using a dedicated external synchronization signal.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, with the spread of digital broadcasting for transmitting video and audio signals in digital form in television broadcasting, the number of channels for providing information has been increased. With the increase in the number of channels, one unit of video data and / or audio data (hereinafter A / V
Depending on the recording / reproducing device, a plurality of A /
It has been required to perform parallel recording and reproduction of V data and reproduction while recording. In order to satisfy this demand, a video server that records A / V data using a randomly accessible recording medium such as a hard disk (hereinafter referred to as A / V (Audio and / or
A device called Video) is becoming widespread.

In the A / V server, the A / V
It has a plurality of inputs and outputs with data input and output. These multiple input / output ports are connected to multiple cameras, sending devices,
Editing devices and the like are respectively connected. For example, video data captured by a plurality of cameras is input from each input / output port, displayed on a monitor, and recorded on a recording medium. At the same time, predetermined A / V data is read from the recording medium, sent to an editing device via an input / output port, and edited. Further, the A / V data selected by the predetermined control is read from the recording medium and sent to the sending device via the input / output port. The A / V server is configured to be able to simultaneously process these multiple accesses to the recording medium.

[0004]

As described above, in an A / V server capable of simultaneously accessing a recording medium from a plurality of input / output ports, an input / output port (playback) for reproducing A / V data is used. The reference signal at port (port) could be synchronized only with the signal input from the dedicated external synchronization signal input terminal.

FIG. 12 schematically shows the structure of an A / V server according to the prior art. A plurality of input ports 101A and 101C for inputting A / V data to the bus 100
And a plurality of output ports 101 for outputting A / V data
B, 101D. In addition, in bus 100,
A recording / reproducing unit 107 for recording and accumulating the input A / V and reproducing the accumulated A / V data; and a file system 106 for managing the A / V data accumulated in the recording / reproducing unit 107. Is connected. In addition, bus 10
0, an interface 104 is connected, and to the interface 104, a control panel 105 that outputs a control signal for controlling the operation of the A / V server based on a user operation is connected.

An external synchronization signal REF is input to an external synchronization signal input terminal 103. External synchronization signal REF
Is supplied to the timing generator 102 and A / V
A reference signal for the server is generated. This reference signal is supplied to each of the ports 101A, 101B, 101C and 101D.

For example, the A / V data stored in the recording / reproducing unit 107 is reproduced and supplied to the output port 101B via the bus 100. In the output port 101B,
The supplied A / V data is temporarily stored in a buffer memory (not shown). Then, the timing is controlled by the reference signal generated from the timing generator 102 based on the external synchronization signal REF, and the A / V data is read from the buffer memory. The read A / V data is A / V data synchronized with the outside as A / V data.
/ V output from the server.

A dedicated external synchronizing signal input terminal 103 is formed of a coaxial cable connector, and receives an external reference signal R.
The EF is supplied to the A / V server via a coaxial cable. For example, in a room such as a broadcasting station, the reference signal REF of the station is used.
Is supplied to each room, and the A / V server installed in the room can obtain the reference signal REF from the wiring.

However, in the case where the A / V server is used outdoors, for example, in sports broadcasting, or in a relay van, etc., in addition to the main line on which the A / V data is transmitted, a reference signal is used. There is a problem that it is necessary to carry out wiring for.

In particular, since the reference signal is supplied via the coaxial cable as described above, if the wiring distance is long, the wiring for the reference signal is very troublesome.

It is also conceivable that the A / V server synchronizes with the self-running signal inside the A / V server without inputting the reference signal from outside. In this case, it is necessary to finally synchronize the reproduced data with the system reference signal. Therefore, a frame synchronizer can be used to add a synchronization signal to the output signal output from the playback port using a frame synchronizer, or the output signal can be temporarily recorded on a video tape recorder and played back from the video tape recorder. There is a problem that processing such as synchronization with a system reference signal is sometimes required.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a data recording / reproducing apparatus and a reference signal generating method which can easily synchronize with a system reference signal without inputting a reference signal from a dedicated input terminal. It is in.

[0013]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention has a recording medium capable of non-linear access and has a plurality of input / output processing units. Is written on a recording medium,
In a data recording / reproducing apparatus in which data written on a recording medium is read out in an assigned time slot, a data signal of a reference signal input from a dedicated external reference signal input terminal and a reference signal input from each input port are used. ,
A data recording / reproducing apparatus comprising a selecting means for selecting any one of the reference signals, wherein the reference signal selected by the selecting means is used as a reference signal for each input / output port.

A time slot to which a plurality of input / output processing units are assigned to write data input to the recording medium, and to which the data written to the recording medium is assigned, In a reference signal generating method for generating a reference signal used in a data recording / reproducing device such as read in, a reference signal input from a dedicated external reference signal input terminal and a reference signal input from each input port, A reference signal generating method, comprising a selecting step of selecting any one of the reference signals, wherein the reference signal selected in the selecting step is used as a reference signal of each input / output port.

As described above, the present invention selects any one of a reference signal input from a dedicated external reference signal input terminal and a reference signal input from each input port, Since the selected reference signal is used as the reference signal of each input / output port, the reference signal of each input / output port can be generated without inputting the reference signal from the dedicated external reference signal input terminal. it can.

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. The data recording / reproducing apparatus according to the embodiment has a function of recording / reproducing, inputting / outputting, and editing AV data, and enables an editing operation to be performed by one apparatus.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a data recording / reproducing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. This data recording / reproducing apparatus has a plurality of input / output ports, and has audio data and / or video data (hereinafter A / V
(Referred to as audio and / or video data) and an A / V server capable of recording and storing the A / V data in parallel and reproducing the stored A / V data.

The data recording / reproducing apparatus 1 according to the embodiment has one housing 2. The housing 2 has a size equivalent to, for example, one VTR. On the front surface of the housing 2, a meter panel 3 is provided on an upper side, and a control panel 4 is provided on a lower side. The control panel 4 is detachable from the housing 2. The control panel 4 is detached from the housing 2 and
It can be made not to be used, or can be detached from the housing 2, connected to a circuit in the housing 2 by a cable, and used after being removed from the housing 2.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing main parts of the meter panel 3 and the control panel 4 shown in FIG. Data recording / reproducing device 1 according to one embodiment
Is an input unit for inputting A / V data or A / V data.
It has four ports as output units for outputting V data. Each port is capable of inputting or outputting video data and audio data of 4 or 8 channels, respectively.

The meter panel 3 shown in FIG. 2 has a display unit 11 for displaying the operation states of the four ports. The display unit 11 has four display areas 11A to 11D corresponding to each port. Display areas 11A-1
1D are arranged in the upper left, upper right, lower left, and lower right portions of the display unit 11, respectively. Each display area 11A-
11D is an audio level meter unit 1 for displaying audio level meters for four channels.
2, a dot matrix unit 13 for displaying a time code or the like, a status display unit 14 for displaying a current operation state (reproducing, recording, etc.) of each port, and a type of a displayed time code. And an information display unit 15 for displaying various information such as

The audio level meter section 12 displays the number of the corresponding channel below the audio level meter for each channel. By operating a switch to be described later, the audio level meter unit 12 displays four audio level meters from the first channel to the fourth channel and four audio level meters from the fifth channel to the eighth channel. Either one is selectively displayed. The display is switched according to the operation of a switch (not shown).

In the data recording / reproducing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment, selection of input of A / V data, adjustment of recording or reproducing level of audio data, and monitoring of audio data are performed for each port. Various operations such as selection of a channel to be performed can be performed. The meter panel 3 has four port selection switches 16 for selecting ports to be operated.
Is provided.

The meter panel 3 is further provided with four rotary encoders 17 for adjusting the level of recording or reproduction of audio data and a rotary encoder 18 for adjusting a video process.

On the other hand, the control panel 4 includes an operation / display unit 21 including various switches required for editing work and a display unit for displaying images and the like used for editing work. Similarly to the port selection switch 16, the control panel 4 is provided with four port selection switches 22 for selecting a port to be operated. The control panel 4 further includes a switch 23 for instructing recording, and a switch 2 for instructing rewinding.
4. A switch 25 for instructing reproduction, a switch 26 for instructing fast-forward, and a switch 27 for instructing stop are provided. Further, the data recording / reproducing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment can remotely control up to two external VTRs.
The control panel 4 has an external VTR that is remotely controlled.
Are provided.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the data recording / reproducing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment. The data recording / reproducing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment includes a data bus 30A for transferring A / V data and a CPU bus 30B for transferring commands. A timing management unit 31, an information management unit 32, a recording and reproducing unit 33, data management units 34A to 34D, and a control unit 36 are connected to the buses 30A and 30B, respectively.
The data input / output units 37A to 37D are connected to the data management units 34A to 34D, respectively. A special effect unit (effector) 39 is connected to the control unit 36.
The control panel 36 is connected to the meter panel 3, and the timing management section 31 is connected to the control panel 4. Each of the units 31 to 39 is formed of, for example, a separate substrate.

The timing management section 31 has a timing pulse generator 41. Timing pulse generator 4
1 generates a timing pulse and supplies it to each circuit that requires the timing pulse. An external reference video signal Vref is input to the timing pulse generator 41. The timing management unit 31 further controls the control panel 4 and the internal bus 30.
(In the figure, described as I / F) 42 for connecting the.

The information management unit 32 holds file management information indicating a file recording area on the recording medium, and manages the file based on the file management information and an external network such as Ethernet. It has a network driver 44 connected to and connected to an external network to input and output data.

The recording / reproducing unit 33 is connected to a plurality of hard disk devices (hereinafter, referred to as HDDs) 45 for recording video data, and a video disk array controller 47 for controlling these HDDs 45 and an audio data. An audio disk array controller 48 connected to a plurality of HDDs 46 for recording and controlling these HDDs 46 is provided between the disk array controllers 47 and 48 and the internal bus 30 to temporarily store data. Buffer memory 4 for performing
9.

Here, the HDD 45 for video data is used.
Are provided, nine of which are used for recording A / V data, and one is used for recording parity data.
The nine HDDs 45 and the video disk array controller 47 are connected to a RAID (Redutant Arrays of Inexpensive).
Disks) 3. On the other hand, two HDDs 46 for audio data are provided. Two HD
D46 and audio disk array controller 48
Has a RAID1 configuration.

The control unit 36 has an interface (I / F in the figure) 52 for connecting the editing unit 51 to the meter panel 3 and the internal bus 30, and a CPU 81. The CPU 81 is connected to the CPU bus 30B, and can communicate with other components connected to the CPU bus 30B. The interface 52 includes:
An external editing command CE can also be input. The editing unit 51 has functions of a matrix switcher and an audio mixer. The editing unit 51 is connected to the special effect unit 39, and has two data output paths for outputting data to the special effect unit 39 and one data input path for inputting data from the special effect unit 39. And a route. The editing unit 51 can output monitor data DM.

The special effect section 39 performs processing for obtaining special effects such as dissolve and wipe.

The data input / output units 37A to 37D are connected to terminals 61A to 61D, respectively. Here, the terminal 61A is a data input terminal, and the terminals 61B to 61D are data output terminals. Also, terminals 61A to 61D
The A / V data input / output by, for example, a serial digital interface (hereinafter referred to as SDI).
It is digital data according to the standard.

The data input / output section 37A and the data management section 34A constitute one port 60A, and the data input / output section 37B and the data management section 34B constitute one port 6A.
0B, the data input / output unit 37C and the data management unit 34C constitute one port 60C, and the data input / output unit 37D and the data management unit 34D constitute one port 60D.

The data input / output unit 37A has an encoder 62 for compressing SDI standard data, and a two-input / one-output switch 64. One input terminal of the switch 64 is connected to the terminal 61A, the other input terminal is connected to the editing unit 51, and the output terminal is connected to the input terminal of the encoder 62. Note that the terminal 61A is also connected to the editing unit 51.

The data input / output unit 37B is a decoder 6 for decompressing the compressed data and converting it to SDI standard data.
3 and a switch 65 for two inputs and one output. One input terminal of the switch 65 is connected to the output terminal of the decoder 63, the other input terminal is connected to the editing unit 51,
The output terminal is connected to the terminal 61B. Note that the output end of the decoder 63 is also connected to the editing unit 51.

The data input / output unit 37C is a decoder 7 for decompressing the compressed data and converting it into SDI standard data.
It has a switch 74 for switching between two and two inputs and one output. One input terminal of the switch 74 is connected to the output terminal of the decoder 72, the other input terminal is connected to the editing unit 51,
The output terminal is connected to the terminal 61C. Note that the output end of the decoder 72 is also connected to the editing unit 51.

The data input / output unit 37D is a decoder 7 for decompressing the compressed data and converting it into SDI standard data.
It has three and two-input / one-output changeover switches 75. One input terminal of the switch 75 is connected to the output terminal of the decoder 73, the other input terminal is connected to the editing unit 51,
The output terminal is connected to the terminal 61D. Note that the output terminal of the decoder 73 is also connected to the editing unit 51.

The data management unit 34A includes a data input / output unit 3
It has a buffer memory 66 inserted between the output terminal of the 7A encoder 62 and the internal bus 30. The data management unit 34B has a buffer memory 67 inserted between the internal bus 30 and the input terminal of the decoder 63 of the data input / output unit 37B. The data management unit 34C has a buffer memory 76 inserted between the internal bus 30 and the input terminal of the decoder 72 of the data input / output unit 37C. The data management unit 34D includes the internal bus 30 and the data input / output unit 3
It has a buffer memory 77 inserted between the input terminal of the 7D decoder 73.

It should be noted that the data management section 34A has a CPU 80
A and can communicate with other components connected by the CPU bus 30B. Similarly, the data management units 34B, 34C and 34D
B, 80C, and 80D, and can communicate with other components connected by the CPU bus 30B.

The data management section 34A can receive a recording command CR from outside. The data management unit 34A responds to the terminal 61A in response to the recording command CR.
Is transferred to the recording / reproducing unit 33 to control the recording process. Data management unit 3
An external reproduction command CP can be input to 4B to 34D. Data management units 34B to 34D
Reproduces data by the recording / reproducing unit 33 in response to the reproduction command CP, and transmits the data to the terminals 61B to 61D.
Is controlled.

Each of the units 31 to 39 in FIG. 3 has a microcomputer including a CPU (central processing unit), a ROM (read only memory) and a RAM (random access memory).

The data management units 34A to 34D use the time slots to access the recording / reproducing device 33 for each of the ports 60A to 60D in a time-division manner.

The data input / output units 37A to 37D and the data management units 34A to 34D can be replaced with other types of data input / output units and data management units, respectively. For example, output-type data input / output unit 37B and data management unit 34B, data input / output unit 37C and data management unit 34C, data input / output unit 3
Any set of 7D and data management unit 34D can be replaced with an input-type data input / output unit and data management unit such as a set of data input / output unit 37A and data management unit 34A. In such a case, the data recording / reproducing device 1 is a device having two input ports and two output ports.

Next, the operation of the data recording / reproducing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment will be described. First, the operation for recording A / V data input from the outside will be described. At this time, data is input to terminal 61A. This data is input to the encoder 62 via the switch 64 in the data input / output unit 37A and is compressed.
The compressed data is temporarily stored in the buffer memory 66 in the data management unit 34A. Data management unit 34A
Accesses the recording / reproducing unit 33 during the time slot assigned to the
Is transferred to the recording / reproducing unit 33 via the internal bus 30.

In the recording / reproducing section 33, the transferred data is temporarily stored in the buffer memory 49 and then read. Of the data read from the buffer memory 49, video data is input to the video disk array controller 47, and audio data is input to the audio disk array controller 48. The video disk array controller 47 divides the input video data into predetermined units, calculates parity data, and records the divided data and parity data in a plurality of HDDs 45. The audio disk array controller 48 records the input audio data in the two HDDs 46.

Next, the operation of outputting recorded data to the outside will be described. At this time, any one of the data management units 34B to 34D determines whether the recording / reproducing unit 33
And requests the recording / reproducing unit 33 to reproduce data. In the data reproducing unit 33, the video disk array controller 47 reads the video data and parity data divided from the plurality of HDDs 45,
The video data is reproduced by unifying the divided data and performing error detection and error correction based on the parity data. The audio disk array controller 48 reproduces audio data from the error-free HDD 46 of the two HDDs 46. The reproduced video data and audio data are temporarily stored in the buffer memory 49, read out, and read via the internal bus 30 to the data management unit 34B.
To 34D.

When data is output to the outside from the terminal 61B, the reproduced data is expanded by the decoder 63 in the data input / output unit 37B through the buffer memory 67 of the data management unit 34B, and the switch 65 is set. Through,
The signal is output from the terminal 61B to the outside. Data is transferred to terminal 61
When outputting to outside from C, the reproduced data is
Decompressed by the decoder 72 in the data input / output unit 37C via the buffer memory 76 of the data management unit 34C,
The signal is output from the terminal 61C to the outside via the switch 74. When data is output to the outside from the terminal 61D, the reproduced data is expanded by the decoder 73 in the data input / output unit 37D through the buffer memory 77 of the data management unit 34D, 6
Output from 1D to the outside.

In the data recording / reproducing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment, since the data management units 34A to 34D operate in a time-division manner, the same data or different data is simultaneously output from the three terminals 61B to 61D. It is possible.

Next, the operation for editing data will be described. The editing unit 51 of the control unit 36 performs data editing processing using at least one of the data input from the outside and the data reproduced by the recording / reproducing unit 33. That is, the editing unit 51 can input data input from the outside via the terminal 61A and output data reproduced by the recording / reproducing unit 33 and expanded by the decoders 63, 72, and 73. The editing unit 51 performs an editing process using at least one of these data, using its own matrix switcher or audio mixer, and using the special effect unit 39 as necessary. The editing unit 51 can perform AB roll editing for obtaining special effects such as dissolve and wipe.

The editing section 51 can output data obtained by the editing process to any of the switches 64, 65, 74, and 75. The data output to the switch 64 is recorded on the HDDs 45 and 46 by the recording / reproducing unit 33. The data output to the switches 65, 74, and 75 are output from terminals 61B, 61C, and 61D, respectively. As described above, the editing unit 51 can perform linear editing.

The editing unit 51 can also perform non-linear editing that holds only editing information such as data at editing points without outputting the edited data.

In the data recording / reproducing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment, the meter panel 3 is used to select the input of A / V data, adjust the recording or reproducing level of the audio data, and adjust the audio data. Various operations, such as selection of a channel for monitoring the data, can be performed. Further, the operating state of the four ports can be displayed on the display unit 11 of the meter panel 3.

Further, in the data recording / reproducing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment, an operation necessary for an editing operation can be performed using the control panel 4.

Next, a file system applied to this embodiment will be described. The file system is
In the server unit, that is, the recording / reproducing unit 33, this is a system for managing where the file is recorded on the HDD 45 constituting the recording / reproducing unit 33. The file management by the file system is executed by the file management unit 43.

The file system information generally includes (1) file entry information, (2) record entry information, (3) free space list information, and these three pieces of information. FIG. 4 schematically shows an example of the structure of each of these pieces of information. These file entry information, record entry information, and free space information are held in the information management unit 32 as, for example, file management information.

As shown in FIG. 4A, the file entry information of (1) describes a file name and pointer information to the first record entry information. Therefore, the file entry information is set for each file. File entry information indicates that the file is
Based on the link information, linking is made to record entry information described later, which is information indicating from which position in 45 and how long the data is written.

As shown in FIG. 4B, the record entry information of (2) is, for example, the first address information on the HDD 45 where the file is actually written to the HDD 45 and the address indicating the first position. And data length information indicating the data length of the continuous area, indicating whether or not the data length has been written continuously. Further, in the record entry information, link information to the next record entry information is described.

In the HDD 45, one file may be divided into different areas and written. In this case, record entry information is created for each divided area. The link information is, for example, pointer information, which is information indicating a link to record entry information indicating information of the next area in which the divided file is written. By sequentially tracing the pointer information indicated by the link information in the plurality of record entry information, the address information of the file divided into different areas can be grasped. If the file ends in the continuous area, for example, “EOF (End of Fi
le) "is written.

FIG. 5 schematically shows access to a file by the record entry information. It is assumed that a file having a file name “A” has been written in the address space of the HDD as illustrated in FIG. 5A. That is, file "A" is divided into three,
Address [50]-[100], Address [200]-
[300] and addresses [500] to [750]. In the following description, the numerical value of the address corresponds to the recording and playback time,
For example, it is described that the playback length from address [100] to address [200] for address [100] is length [100].

FIG. 5B shows an example of file entry information (FE) and record entry information (RE) corresponding to FIG. 5A. In the file entry information, the file name “A” of the file is described, and link information for linking to the first record entry information is described. The link information is, for example, the file name of the first record entry information to be linked. Alternatively, the position where the record entry information is written, for example, pointer information indicating the address may be directly used as the link information.

In this example in which the file "A" is divided into three, three pieces of record entry information are created.
First, in the first divided area, data of the address [50] to the length [50] (that is, the address is [10
0]) is written. That is, data is continuously written at addresses [50] to [100]. The file “A” has been written over the next continuous area. By tracing the link information, record entry information indicating the next continuous area in which the file “A” has been written is referred to, and data of a length [100] from the address [100], that is, addresses [100] to [200] It can be understood that the data is written in the continuous area of []. In addition, file "A"
Is written over the next continuous area. By following the link information in the same manner as described above, the record entry information indicating the next continuous area in which the file “A” has been written is referred to, and the data from the address [500] to the length [250], that is, the address [500] ~
It can be seen that data has been written in the continuous area of [750]. Since the file "A" ends at the address [750], it is not linked to the next continuous area, and the corresponding record entry information contains "EO" as link information.
F "is described.

The free space list information of (3) is HD
Information of an area where data is not written on D45 is described. The description method conforms to the above-described record entry information. That is, as shown in FIG. 4C, the area where no data is written, that is, the address information at the head of the free area and the length of the continuous free area are described. At the same time, link information to the next free space list information is described. The link information is, for example, the file name of the first free space list information to be linked. Alternatively, a position where the free space list information is written, for example, pointer information indicating an address may be directly used as link information.

FIG. 5C schematically shows a link state of the free space list information corresponding to FIG. 5A. In the example of FIG. 5A, the address

[0] to [50], address [10
0] to [200] and addresses [300] to [50]
0] is an area where no data is written. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5C, the first free space list information includes the start address of the continuous free area.

[0]
It is described that there is an empty area of length [50]. When the next free space list information is referred to by following the link information, the start address of the free area is [10
0] describes that there is an empty area having a length of 100 minutes from the start address. When the next free space information is referred by further following the link information, the start address of the free area is [300], and the length from the start address is [20].
0]. Since "EOF" is described as the link information, it is understood that there is no more free space in this HDD. In this way, by referring to the free space list information one after another based on the link information, it is possible to grasp the free space of the entire HDD.

A file system for managing files on the HDD 45 according to this embodiment is configured based on the three pieces of information of the above-described file entry information, record entry information, and free space information. For example, H in which the above-mentioned file “A” has already been written
When another file "B" is written to the DD 45, file entry information is created based on the file name "B" of the file "B" to be written. Then, referring to the free space list information, the file "B"
Is written to the HDD 45. At that time, file "B"
Record entry information is created based on the write address and the data length of the record entry. When the file “B” is written, the free space on the HDD 45 changes, and the free space list information is rewritten.

Next, an A / V data editing process according to the embodiment, which is performed based on the above-described file system, will be schematically described. In this embodiment, a virtual file (virtual file list: VFL) indicating the edited result is created without outputting the edited result as a real A / V data file. VFL
Describes information necessary for reproducing the editing result on the A / V server.

An editing device is connected to the A / V server. In the A / V server according to the embodiment, A / V
The stored A / V data can also be edited by the control panel 4 attached to the server body. Hereinafter, a case where an external editing device is connected to the A / V server will be described.

The editing device sends an editing command CE, a reproduction command CP, and a recording command CR to the A / V server.
Are supplied. For example, when an attempt is made to edit a file having a file name “A” (hereinafter referred to as a file “A”) stored in the A / V server, information indicating the file “A” is transmitted from the editing apparatus to the A / V server. Output to the server. On the A / V server side, the information management unit 3
Since it is possible to know in which area of the HDD 45 the file “A” is recorded based on the file management information held in the HDD 2, the information management unit 32 issues a playback command to the recording and playback unit 33, Play "A". The reproduced file “A” is supplied to the port 60B via the bus 30A, for example, and is transferred from the port 60B to the editing device.

On the editing device side, based on the transferred file "A", the file is displayed on a monitor connected to or built in the editing device. Editing operators who perform editing work
While checking the monitor image, an editing point indicating which part of the material stored in the A / V server is actually used is set by operating the operating means provided in the editing apparatus. The editing operation includes various processes such as setting an IN point for starting reproduction and an OUT point for ending reproduction, and applying a special effect such as wipe or dissolve to the reproduced video. Hereinafter, the case where the IN point and the OUT point are set will be described for explanation.

An editing result in which the IN point and the OUT point are set by editing is transferred to the A / V server. At this time, in this embodiment, the set IN point and OUT point are set together with the file name of the A / V file used for editing.
Only the point information is transferred to the A / V server. An actual A / V file based on the edited contents is not created.

As a result of editing, the above-mentioned VF is transferred to the A / V server. The VFL is transferred to the A / V server and stored in a memory (not shown) of the information management unit 32, thereby completing the editing operation. The A / V server reads out the A / V data stored in the HDD 45 based on the VFL, and sends out the edited material. That is, by using VFL, it is not necessary to record the editing result as a new A / V file, and it is possible to edit the material in real time and transmit the editing result.

FIG. 6 shows an example of the structure of the VFL. VF
L describes the file name of the target A / V file, the reproduction start position in the file, ie, information on the IN point, and the reproduction end position, ie, information on the OUT point. The playback start position and the playback end position are the target A
/ V is the address information for the start position of the address space in the file.

As an example, in the example shown in FIG.
With respect to the file [A] having the length [400], the position of the length [10] from the beginning of the file is set as the IN point, and the length [60] from the beginning, the length [50] behind the IN point
Is the OUT point, as shown in FIG.
The playback start position is [10], and the playback end position is [6].
0].

On the other hand, as described above, the file is H
When data is written on the DD 45, the data may be divided and written in different areas on the HDD 45. The divided files are managed as one continuous file by the file management unit 43 by successively following the link information of the record entry information and referring to the record entry information.

Similarly, in the case of the VFL, a portion from the described reproduction start position to the reproduction end position may be divided and written in different areas of the HDD 45 in some cases.
FIG. 8 shows the processing in this case according to FIG. 5A described above. The file “A” is stored on the HD as shown in FIG. 8A.
D45 is divided into different areas and recorded. On the other hand, the reproduction start position and the reproduction end position in the VFL address space are as shown in FIG. 8B.

In the file management section 43, based on the file entry information and the record entry information, the VF of the file “A” is obtained from the file head position data described in the record entry information and the recording length data of the continuous area.
The reproduction start position described in L is accessed. In the example of FIG. 8A, the head position of the file “A” is the address [50] in the address space of the HDD 45. Since the reproduction start position is set to the address [10] in the address space of the file “A” by the VFL, the address space of the HDD 45 is obtained by adding the length [10] to the address [50] in the address space of the HDD 45. The reproduction is started from the address [60].

When a playback length exceeding the recording length of the continuous area described in the record entry information is designated by the playback start position and the playback end position of the VFL,
Link to the next record entry information based on the link information of the record entry information. In the example of FIG. 8A, VFL
Is the reproduction length [50], whereas the recording area indicated by the first record entry information is the HDD 4
In the address space of No. 5, address [50] to address [100]. Since the reproduction is started from the address [60], in order to reproduce the reproduction length designated by the VFL, the data having the length [10] must be reproduced. The data of the above-mentioned length [10] is reproduced from the file head position indicated by the next record entry information linked based on the link information. That is, in the address space of the HDD 45, the address [2
00] to address [210] are reproduced.

That is, the reproduction range indicated by VFL of the file “A” in the VFL address space is as shown in FIG.
As shown in B, based on the continuous area in the address space of the HDD 45, on the HDD 45, a portion of length [40] and a portion of length [10] are divided and written in different areas. Will be.

On the other hand, if the VFL is a description as shown in an example in FIG. 9, in the address space of the HDD 45, the address of the data to be actually reproduced is reproduced from the address [60], and the address [100]. The data written in the continuous area up to this point is reproduced.

FIG. 10 shows an example of a configuration for inputting the reference video signal Vref according to the present invention. In FIG. 10, portions corresponding to FIG. 3 described above are shown in a simplified manner, and portions common to FIG. 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description is omitted.
The port 60C in FIG. 3 is configured similarly to the port 60A so as to function as an input port for description, and is described as a port 60C ′.

An external synchronization signal REF supplied from outside is input to an external synchronization signal input terminal 82. The external synchronization signal input terminal 82 is, for example, a connector corresponding to a coaxial cable. The signal REF input from the terminal 82 is input to the first selection input terminal of the selector 83.

On the other hand, although details will be described later, the input port 60
A and 60C, a synchronization signal is extracted from the video signal, and the extracted synchronization signal is supplied to a selector 8 respectively.
3 are input to the second and third selection input terminals.

The selector 83 selects one of the signals input to the first, second and third selection input terminals based on, for example, the operation of the control panel 4 by the user. The selected signal is supplied to the timing pulse generator 41 as the reference video signal Vref. In the timing pulse generator 41, the supplied reference video signal V
A predetermined reference signal is generated based on ref. The generated reference signal is transmitted to each of the ports 60A, 60B, 60C ′ and 6
0D.

FIG. 11 shows an example of a configuration for extracting the synchronization signal from the input video signal described above. In this example, an analog video signal and a digital video signal can be selectively input. The analog video signal is, for example, a composite video signal, and a black burst signal at a vertical synchronization interval is used as a synchronization signal. The digital video signal is S
This is a signal in which DI (Serial Digital Interface) is a transmission format. In SDI, digital data of a predetermined format is transmitted by bit serial, and a predetermined bit pattern is used as a synchronization signal.

The analog video signal is input to a terminal 84. The analog video signal input to the terminal 84 is A
The digital video signal is converted into a bit-serial SDI standard digital signal by the / D converter 86 and supplied to one of the selection input terminals of the selector 87. On the other hand, digital video signals
The signal is input to the terminal 85, and supplied from the terminal 85 to the other selection input terminal of the selector 87. For example, the selector 87 selects one of the one and the other selection input terminals by operating the control panel 4. Selector 8
The digital video signal selected at 7 is input to terminal 6 for example.
Input to port 60A via 1A.

The analog video signal input to the terminal 84 is also supplied to the sync separation circuit 88. Sync separation circuit 8
At 8, the black burst signal of the analog video signal is detected, and the synchronization signal is separated based on the detection result. The separated synchronization signal is supplied to one selection input terminal of the selector 90. On the other hand, the digital video signal input to the terminal 85 is supplied to a synchronization detection circuit 89, and the synchronization is detected by detecting a predetermined bit pattern. The detected synchronization signal is supplied to the other selection input terminal of the selector 90.

It is more preferable that the selector 90 can switch the selection in conjunction with the selector 87 described above. That is, when the selector 87 selects one selection input terminal, the selector 90 also selects one selection input terminal. A synchronization signal according to the input video signal is selected by the selector 90. The synchronization signal selected by the selector 90 is supplied to, for example, a second selection input terminal of the selector 83 described above.

Although omitted in FIG. 11, the port 60
A similar configuration is provided for C ′, and the output from the selector corresponding to the selector 90 in FIG.
Is supplied to the third selection input terminal described above. Note that the audio signal is processed separately from the video signal in the configuration of FIG. 11 described above. Since the processing of the audio signal is not particularly related to the gist of the present invention, the description is omitted here.

Next, as an example of the operation, a case will be described in which the selector 83 selects the selection input terminal corresponding to the input of the port 60A. Terminal 6 of port 60A
A video camera capable of superimposing a reference signal on an output signal is connected to 1A. For example, a reference synchronization signal is externally supplied to a video camera. A reference signal based on the external synchronization signal is superimposed on the output signal.

A / A output by shooting with a video camera
The V data is supplied to the A / V server after a reference signal is superimposed on the V signal. The A / V server supplies the supplied A / V data to the recording / reproducing unit 33 via the port 60A,
While accumulating, the reference signal is extracted from the supplied A / V data based on the example configuration shown in FIG.

The reference signal extracted from the A / V data is
It is supplied to the timing pulse generator 41. In the timing pulse generator 41, a reference signal used inside the A / V server is generated based on the supplied reference signal. The reference signal generated by the timing pulse generator 41 is supplied to each of the ports 60A, 60B, 60C 'and 60D.

On the other hand, in the A / V server, the recording / reproducing section 33 can reproduce the stored A / V data in parallel with the recording of the input A / V data. The A / V data reproduced by the recording / reproducing unit 33 is supplied to, for example, the port 60B via the bus 30A. At the port 60B, the supplied A / V data is supplied to the data management unit 34B and is temporarily stored in the buffer 67. The A / V data stored in the buffer 67 is read with the read timing controlled based on the reference signal supplied from the timing pulse generator 41. Data is output from the A / V server in synchronization with the reference signal superimposed on the output signal from the video camera.

In the above description, two ports are used for inputting A / V data and two ports are used for outputting A / V data. However, this is not limited to this example. Furthermore, it is possible to correspond to a large number of input / output ports, and it is possible to select an arbitrary signal from the synchronization signals superimposed on the respective inputs and use it as a reference signal. Similarly, one input port and one output port may be provided.

[0093]

As described above, according to the present invention, a synchronization signal superimposed on a video signal input to an input port can be selected as a synchronization signal of an output port for outputting a video signal. Therefore, if a signal synchronized with an external reference signal is input to any one of the input ports, an external reference signal can be input without inputting an external synchronization signal to the dedicated external synchronization signal input terminal. There is an effect that a synchronized reproduction signal can be obtained.

Therefore, by using the A / V server to which the present invention is applied, for example, outdoors or in a relay van such as a sports broadcast, wiring of a coaxial cable for a reference signal to the A / V server is performed. This has the effect of eliminating the need to do so.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a data recording / reproducing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view showing main parts of a meter panel and a control panel.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the data recording / reproducing device according to one embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram schematically showing respective structures of file entry information, record entry information, and free space information.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram schematically showing file access by record entry information.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the structure of a virtual file VFL.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a description of a virtual file VFL.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating a process of reproducing a file divided and written in different areas using a virtual file VFL.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating another example of a description of a virtual file VFL.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration for inputting a reference video signal Vref.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration for extracting a synchronization signal from an input video signal.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of an A / V server according to a conventional technique.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Data recording / reproducing apparatus, 2 ... Housing, 3 ...
Meter panel, 4 ... control panel, 11 ...
Display unit, 30 Internal bus, 31 Timing management unit, 32 Information management unit, 33 Recording / reproducing unit, 34A to 34D Data management unit, 36 Control , 37A-37D ... data input / output unit, 39 ...
.Special effect part, 41: timing pulse generator, 4
5, 46: HDD, 51: Editing unit, 60A-6
0D port, 61A-61D terminal, 82
..External synchronization signal input terminals, 83 ... selectors

Continued on the front page F term (reference) 5C052 AA01 AB03 CC02 CC06 CC20 DD04 5D110 AA13 BB20 CF13 CM02 CM06 CM17

Claims (2)

[Claims] An input / output processing unit includes a recording medium capable of non-linear access, writes data input in a time slot to which the input / output processing unit is allocated, and allocates the data written to the recording medium. In a data recording / reproducing apparatus that reads data in a time slot, a selection is made to select one of a reference signal input from a dedicated external reference signal input terminal and a reference signal input from each input port. A data recording / reproducing apparatus, characterized in that the reference signal selected by the selecting means is used as a reference signal of each input / output port. 2. A method according to claim 1, further comprising a recording medium capable of non-linear access, wherein a plurality of input / output processing units write data input in the allocated time slot to the recording medium and allocate the data written to the recording medium. In a reference signal generation method for generating a reference signal used in a data recording / reproducing apparatus such as reading in a time slot, a reference signal input from a dedicated external reference signal input terminal and a reference signal input from each input port are used. A step of selecting any one of the reference signals, wherein the reference signal selected by the selecting step is used as a reference signal of each input / output port. Method.