JP2002152670A - Device and method for editing material for multi-media contents - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To permit a person in charge, who edits individual materials constituting multi-media contents, to easily edit the material while the other materials are easily referred to and to shorten the generation time of the multi-media contents. SOLUTION: The device is provided with a recording means 2 recording the material constituting the multi-media contents by a prescribed format, a plurality of editing means 3a to 6a which can display the materials and edit the materials and conversion means 3b to 6b and 7a converting the prescribed formats and formats which can be processed by the editing means 3a to 6a. The material supplied from the outside is recorded by the recording means 2 and the material is transferred between the recording means 2 and the editing means 3a to 6a through the conversion means 3b to 6b and 7a.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for editing individual materials constituting multimedia contents.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, multimedia contents created by combining a plurality of types of materials such as video, audio, and text have been sold as CD-ROMs or DVDs or distributed via the Internet.

The process of creating multimedia contents is roughly divided into the following three stages. (1) A step of collecting materials from the outside (for example, recording a video with a television camera or searching for an appropriate video from an existing video library). (2) The stage of individually editing the collected materials or creating and editing new materials (computer graphics, text, and audio). (3) Authoring stage in which the playback timing of each edited material is determined, and the position of a visible material such as video or text on the screen is determined.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing processing conventionally performed at these stages. The video recorded by the television camera is recorded on the recording device 23 attached to the editing terminal 22 for video editing (step (1)). Editing terminal 22
Then, the material recorded in the recording device 23 is edited (step (2)).

On the other hand, in an editing terminal 24 for CG (computer graphics) editing, the CG is created and edited and recorded in an attached recording device 25 (step (2)).
The editing terminal 26 for audio editing also creates and edits audio and records it in the attached recording device 27 (step (2)).
The editing terminal 28 for text editing also creates and edits text.
It is edited and recorded in the attached recording device 29 (step (2)).

When the editing of the material at the editing terminals 22, 24, 26, 28 is completed, the recording devices 23, 25, 27, 29
The edited material is reproduced from, and those materials are re-recorded in the recording device 30 in the format for authoring. In the authoring terminal 31, the material recorded in the recording device 30 is converted to a GUI (graphical user interface) by executing the authoring tool.
Authoring is performed on the screen (step (3)).

As described above, conventionally, a material collection stage (stage (1)) and an editing stage for each material (stage (2))
Thus, each material was recorded on a recording device attached to a separate editing terminal.

[0008] Further, when shifting from the editing stage for each material to the authoring stage (stage (3)), the materials are reproduced from the recording device attached to each editing terminal, and the materials are reproduced in the format for authoring. It was re-recorded on another recording device.

[0009]

However, such conventional processing has the following disadvantages (a) and (b). (A) Each material constituting the multimedia content is
They are closely related to each other. Therefore,
In the editing stage for each material, it is desirable that the person in charge of editing each material edits while actually referring to the other materials so that there is no defect in relation to the contents of other materials (For example, it is desirable that the person in charge of editing the CG edits the CG while referring to the video collected from the outside). However, in the conventional processing, each material is recorded on a recording device attached to a separate editing terminal.
It was difficult for a person who edited each material to refer to other materials.

(B) It takes time to reproduce a material from a recording device attached to each editing terminal (generally, it takes about the same time as reproducing the material when reproducing a completed multimedia content). . As a result, the waiting time when shifting from the editing stage for each material to the authoring stage becomes longer, so that the creation time of the multimedia content as a whole becomes longer. Furthermore, if any content deficiencies are found in the relationship between the materials at the authoring stage, it is necessary to return to the editing stage for each material and redo the editing. Since the corrected material must be reproduced from the recording device attached to the editing terminal, the waiting time is further increased. (Especially, as described in (a), it is difficult for a person who edits each material at the editing stage for each material to refer to other materials, so there is a lack of content in the relationship between the materials at the authoring stage. Often found.)

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above, the present invention enables a person in charge of editing each material constituting a multimedia content to edit while easily referring to other materials, and The object was to reduce the creation time.

[0012]

Means for Solving the Problems In order to solve this problem, the present applicant has a recording means for recording materials constituting multimedia contents in a predetermined format, and a material which can be displayed. A plurality of editing means for editing the material; and a conversion means for converting the format between the predetermined format and a format processable by the editing means. The present invention proposes an apparatus for editing a material for multimedia contents in which the material is recorded by means and transmitted and received between the recording means and these editing means via these converting means.

In this editing apparatus, a recording means for recording a material in a predetermined format and a plurality of editing means exchange a format between the predetermined format and a format which can be processed by these editing means. Materials are exchanged via conversion means for performing conversion.

Therefore, when the material supplied from the outside is recorded in the recording means (that is, when the material is collected from the outside), the person in charge of operating each editing means requires the material reproduced from the recording means. Can be converted by the converting means and displayed by the editing means.
As a result, not only the person in charge of editing the material collected from the outside but also the person in charge of editing other materials can edit while easily referring to the material collected from the outside.

A person in charge of operating each editing means can convert the edited material into a format by the converting means and record the converted material in the recording means. Therefore,
The person in charge of operating each editing means can convert the format of the material reproduced from the recording means, if necessary, and display it on the editing means.
As a result, the person in charge of editing each material can perform editing while easily referring to other edited materials.

As described above, by using this editing apparatus, the material recorded in the common recording means is displayed by each editing means, so that the person in charge of editing each material can easily refer to other materials. You can edit while doing.

Further, since the format conversion between the format of the material recorded in the recording means and the format which can be processed by the editing means is performed by the conversion means, regardless of the format which can be processed by the editing means, As a recording means, a means for recording a material in a format for authoring can be used. Therefore, at the authoring stage, the material recorded on the recording means can be directly authored. That is, when shifting from the editing stage for each material to the authoring stage, there is no need to reproduce the material from this recording means and record it again in another recording means. As a result, it is possible to promptly shift from the editing stage for each material to the authoring stage, so that the time for creating multimedia contents is reduced.

In addition, as described above, at the editing stage for each material, the person in charge of editing the individual material can perform the editing while easily referring to the other material (therefore, the contents of the other material cannot be edited). Editing can be performed so that there is no deficiency in the relationship), so that it is less likely that content deficiencies are found in the relationship between the materials at the authoring stage. This allows
Since the number of times of returning to the editing stage for each material from the authoring stage and redoing the editing is reduced, the time for creating the multimedia content is also reduced from this point.

Preferably, in the editing apparatus, the converting means includes a converting means for converting a file format and a converting means for converting a compression format. Thereby, as the editing means, not only the file format that can be processed is different from the file format when the material is recorded by the recording means, but also the compression format that can be processed is the compression format of the material recorded in the recording means. (For example, a very common editing terminal such as a personal computer in which application software for editing is installed) will suffice.

Next, the present applicant has a recording means for recording the material constituting the multimedia content in a predetermined format, and a plurality of editing means capable of displaying the material, each of which edits the material. In a method of editing a material for multimedia content using an apparatus including a conversion unit that converts a format between the predetermined format and a format that can be processed by the editing unit, the content is supplied from outside. A first step of recording the material by the recording means, a second step of format-converting the material reproduced from the recording means by the conversion means and displaying the converted data by the editing means, and editing by the editing means; And a third step in which the converted material is format-converted by these converting means and recorded by the recording means. .

In this editing method, after a material supplied from the outside is recorded by a recording means, the material reproduced from the recording means is format-converted by a conversion means and displayed by each editing means. As a result, not only the person in charge of editing the material collected from the outside but also the person in charge of editing other materials can edit while easily referring to the material collected from the outside.

Thereafter, in this editing method, the material edited by each editing means is format-converted by the conversion means and recorded by the recording means. Therefore, if necessary, the material reproduced from the recording means is converted in format by the conversion means and displayed by each editing means, so that the person in charge of editing the individual material can also copy other edited materials. Editing can be performed while easily referencing.

As described above, by displaying the material recorded in the common recording means by each editing means, the person in charge of editing the individual material can perform the editing while easily referring to other materials. it can.

Further, since the format conversion between the format of the material recorded in the recording means and the format which can be processed by the editing means is performed by the conversion means, regardless of the format which can be processed by the editing means, As a recording means, a means for recording a material in a format for authoring can be used. Therefore, at the authoring stage, the material recorded in the recording means can be directly authored. As a result, it is possible to promptly shift from the editing stage for each material to the authoring stage, so that the time for creating multimedia contents is reduced.

In addition, as described above, in the editing stage for each material, the person in charge of editing each material can perform editing while easily referring to other materials. It is also less likely that content defects will be found. As a result, the number of times of returning to the editing stage for each material from the authoring stage and redoing the editing is reduced, and the creation time of the multimedia content is also reduced from this point.

[0026]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of an apparatus for editing a material for multimedia content according to the present invention. In this editing device 1, one recording device 2, an editing terminal 3 for video editing, an editing terminal 4 for CG editing, an editing terminal 5 for audio editing, an editing terminal 6 for text editing, The converter 7 and the interface 8 are connected by a LAN (local area network) 9.

The recording device 2 includes an HDD (hard disk drive) 2a and an AAF (Advanced Authoring Format) which is an authoring format standardized by SMPTE (American Association of Motion Picture and Television Engineers).
And a controller 2b for recording the material on the HDD 2a. AAF is a file format including an essence (material) and metadata describing the format.

The editing terminal 3 is a personal computer in which application software for video editing is installed. The editing terminal 4 is a personal computer in which application software for creating and editing CG is installed. Editing terminal 5
Is a personal computer in which application software for creating and editing audio is installed. The editing terminal 6 is a personal computer in which application software for creating and editing text is installed.

These personal computers can process data in accordance with AVI (Audio Video Interleaving), which is a general file format for personal computers, and DV (Digital Video), which is a compression format of a digital video cassette. Application software for processing video data is installed.

These personal computers have a file format of input data of AAF.
Also, bridge software for converting the file format of data to be output from AVI to AVI and converting the file format from AVI to AAF is also installed. here,
The portions of the editing function in the editing terminals 3, 4, 5, and 6 are shown as editors 3a, 4a, 5a, and 6a, respectively. , 4
b, 5b and 6b.

The converter 7 converts the compression format of the moving picture data compressed by MPEG2 into DV, and
Sets the compression format of video data compressed by DV to MP
It is converted to EG2.

The interface 8 connects the television camera 10 outside the editing apparatus 1 to the LAN 9. The television camera 10 is capable of compressing a captured moving image by MPEG2 and recording the compressed moving image on a hard disk.

The editing device 1 is also connected to the authoring terminal 11 via the LAN 9. The authoring terminal 11 executes the authoring tool to execute G
On the UI screen, the playback timing of each material constituting the multimedia content is determined, and the position of a visible material such as video or text on the screen is determined.

Next, an example of a material editing process using the editing apparatus 1 will be described. First, a moving image is recorded by the television camera 10, and the recorded moving image data (MPEG2
Is transmitted to the recording device 2 of the editing device 1 via the interface 11. In the recording device 2,
The control unit 2b records the moving image data on the HDD 2a in the AAF file format. As a result, materials (moving images) are collected from outside.

Subsequently, a person operating the editing terminal 3 for video editing reproduces the data from the recording device 2 and sends the moving image data portion to the editing terminal 3 via the converter 7, Is sent to the editing terminal 3 as it is. In the editing terminal 3, the moving image data and the metadata converted into the DV compression format by the converter 7 are converted into the AVI file format by the bridge 3b, and the moving image is displayed on the screen. This person
The moving image is edited by the editor 3a.

On the other hand, the person in charge of operating the editing terminal 4 for CG editing also plays back the data from the recording device 2, sends the moving image data portion to the editing terminal 4 via the converter 7, The part is sent to the editing terminal 4 as it is. Also in the editing terminal 4, the moving image data and the metadata converted into the DV compression format by the converter 7 are converted into the AVI file format by the bridge 4b, and the moving image is displayed on the screen. The person in charge creates and edits a CG suitable for combining with the moving image with the editor 4a while referring to the moving image.

A person who operates the editing terminal 5 for audio editing also reproduces the data from the recording device 2, sends the moving image data portion to the editing terminal 5 via the converter 7, and transmits the metadata. The part is sent to the editing terminal 5 as it is. Also at the editing terminal 5, the moving image data and the metadata converted into the DV compression format by the converter 7 are converted into the AVI file format by the bridge 5b, and this moving image is displayed on the screen. The person in charge creates and edits a sound suitable for the moving image with the editor 5a while referring to the moving image.

A person who operates the editing terminal 6 for text editing also plays back the data from the recording device 2 and sends the moving image data portion to the editing terminal 6 via the converter 7, as well as the metadata. The part is sent to the editing terminal 6 as it is. Also at the editing terminal 6, the moving image data and the metadata converted into the DV compression format by the converter 7 are converted into the AVI file format by the bridge 6b, and this moving image is displayed on the screen. This person
While referring to this moving image, a text suitable for this moving image is created and edited by the editor 6a.

As described above, not only the person in charge of editing the moving image collected from the outside but also the person in charge of editing the CG, the sound and the text can edit the image while easily referring to the moving image collected from the outside. .

When the person in charge of operating the editing terminal 3 for video editing finishes the editing, the edited person sends the edited moving image data to the recording device 2 via the converter 7. that time,
The editing terminal 3 outputs moving image data converted to the AAF file format by the bridge 3b. Then, the edited moving image data is converted into an MP
The data is converted into a compression format of EG2 and recorded by the recording device 2.

On the other hand, the person in charge of operating the editing terminal 4 for CG editing also sends the edited CG data to the recording device 2 after the editing is completed (the CG data of the moving image is sent via the converter 7). ). At this time, the editing terminal 4 outputs the CG data converted to the AAF file format by the bridge 4b. And this edited CG
Data is recorded by the recording device 2 (CG data of a moving image is converted into an MPEG2 compression format by the converter 7 and recorded).

On the other hand, the person who operates the editing terminal 5 for audio editing also sends the edited audio data to the recording device 2 after completing the editing. At this time, the editing terminal 5 outputs audio data converted into the AAF file format by the bridge 5b. Then, the edited audio data is recorded by the recording device 2.

On the other hand, the person who operates the editing terminal 6 for text editing also sends the edited text data to the recording device 2 after completing the editing. At that time, the editing terminal 5
Outputs the text data converted into the AAF file format by the bridge 6b. Then, the edited text data is recorded by the recording device 2.

Thereafter, the person in charge of operating each of the editing terminals 3 to 6 displays the edited material recorded in the recording device 2 on the editing terminal as necessary, and further performs editing.

That is, for example, the person in charge of operating the editing terminal 3 for video editing records the edited moving image in order to edit the moving image combined with the CG of the moving image edited by the editing terminal 4 for CG editing. The edited moving image data and the CG data of the moving image are reproduced from the device 2 and displayed on the editing terminal 3 for editing.

If it is determined that the CG length of the moving image is insufficient during the editing, the person in charge notifies the person in charge of operating the editing terminal 4 for CG editing.
The person who operates the editing terminal 4 edits the CG of the moving image again, and causes the recording device 2 to record the CG data.
The person in charge of operating the editing terminal 3 plays back the CG data from the recording device 2 and displays the CG data on the screen of the editing terminal 3 to perform editing again. When the editing is completed, the edited moving image data is recorded on the recording device 2.

Alternatively, for example, when a person operating the editing terminal 6 for text editing determines the contents of the text in advance and notifies the person operating the editing terminals 3 to 5 of the contents. , The person in charge of operating the editing terminal 6
In order to confirm whether a moving image, CG, or audio suitable for the content of the text has been edited, the edited moving image data, CG data, and audio data are reproduced from the recording device 2 and displayed on the editing terminal 6 on a screen.

If it is determined that any of the video, CG, or audio material is not suitable for the text, the person in charge notifies the person operating the editing terminal of the material to that effect. Tell A person operating the editing terminal redoes editing of the material, and causes the recording device 2 to record the edited material. The person in charge of operating the editing terminal 6 plays back the edited material from the recording device 2, displays the edited material on the screen, and checks again.

In this way, the person in charge of editing each material can edit while easily referencing other already edited materials.

As described above, if this editing device 1 is used,
The material recorded in the common recording device 2 is transmitted to each of the editing terminals 3-6.
By displaying the above, the person in charge of editing each material can perform editing while easily referring to other materials.

When the editing processing in the editing apparatus 1 is completed, the authoring is performed by the authoring terminal 11 (determination of the reproduction timing of each material and the position of the visible material on the screen).
Is performed. At this time, since the material is recorded in the recording device 2 in AAF which is a file format for authoring, the authoring terminal 11 can directly author the material recorded in the recording device 2. That is, when shifting from the editing stage for each material to the authoring stage, there is no need to reproduce the material from the recording device 2 and record it again in another recording device.

As described above, if this editing device 1 is used,
Since it is possible to quickly shift from the editing stage for each material to the authoring stage, the time for creating multimedia contents is reduced.

Further, as described above, in the editing stage for each material, the person in charge of editing each material can perform the editing while easily referring to the other material (therefore, in relation to the other material). It is possible to edit the material so that there is no flaw), so that it is less likely that content flaws are found in the relationship between the materials at the authoring stage. As a result, the number of times of returning to the editing stage for each material from the authoring stage and redoing the editing is reduced, and the creation time of the multimedia content is also reduced from this point.

In the above example, the recording device 2 for recording the material in the AAF, the editing terminals 3 to 6 for processing the material in accordance with the AVI, and the bridge 3b for converting the file format between the AAF and the AVI To 6b. However, the present invention is not limited to this. A recording device that records materials in an appropriate file format other than AAF, an editing terminal (not limited to a personal computer) that processes materials in an appropriate file format other than AVI, and (Not limited to software executed on a personal computer) for converting the format between the two file formats may be provided.

In the above example, the recording apparatus 2 uses the MP
The moving image data compressed by EG2 is recorded, and the editing terminal 3 ~
In 6, there is provided a converter 7 for processing moving image data by DV and converting a compression format between MPEG2 and DV. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and moving image data compressed in a compression format other than MPEG2 may be recorded by the recording device 2 (for example, moving image data compressed in a compression format other than MPEG2 may be transmitted from the outside of the editing device 1 via the interface 11). Or the editing terminals 3 to 6 may process moving image data in a compression format other than DV, and may be provided with a converter for converting the format between the compression formats. Alternatively,
When the compression format of the moving image data to be recorded by the recording device 2 is the same as the compression format of the moving image data that can be processed by the editing terminals 3 to 6 (for example, moving image data compressed by the DV ), The converter for converting the compression format need not be provided.

Further, the present invention is not limited to the above-described example, and it goes without saying that various other configurations can be adopted without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0057]

As described above, according to the present invention, the material recorded in the common recording means is displayed by each editing means, so that the person in charge of editing each material constituting the multimedia content can be displayed. This makes it possible to perform editing while easily referring to other materials.

In addition, irrespective of the format which can be processed by the editing means, a recording means which records a material in a format for authoring can be used. You can author the material as it is. In this way, when transitioning from the editing stage for each material to the authoring stage, there is no need to reproduce the material from this recording means and re-record it on another recording means, and quickly shift from the editing stage for each material to the authoring stage. Therefore, the effect of shortening the creation time of the multimedia content can be obtained.

Further, as described above, at the editing stage for each material, the person in charge of editing the individual material can perform the editing while easily referring to the other material (accordingly, the contents of the other material can be edited). Editing can be performed so that there is no deficiency in the relationship), so that it is less likely that content deficiencies are found in the relationship between the materials at the authoring stage. Therefore,
From this point, the effect that the time for creating the multimedia content can be reduced can be obtained.

When the converting means comprises a converting means for converting a file format and a converting means for converting a compression format, a file format that can be processed is used as an editing means. Not only is the file format used for recording different,
The effect that a compression format that can be processed is different from the compression format of the material recorded in the recording means (for example, a general editing terminal such as a personal computer in which application software for editing is installed) is sufficient. Is also obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of an apparatus for editing a material for multimedia content according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing processing conventionally performed in the process of creating multimedia content.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 editing device, 2 recording device, 2a HDD, 2
b control unit, 3 editing terminal for video editing, 4C
Editing terminal for G editing, 5 Editing terminal for audio editing,
6 editing terminal for text editing, 3a, 4a, 5a,
6a editor, 3b, 4b, 5b, 6b bridge, 7 converter, 8 interface, 9
LAN, 10 television camera, 11 authoring terminal

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A recording means for recording a material constituting multimedia content in a predetermined format; a plurality of editing means capable of displaying the material, each for editing the material; A conversion unit that converts a format between a format and a format that can be processed by the editing unit, wherein the material supplied from the outside is recorded by the recording unit, and the recording unit is connected to the recording unit via the conversion unit. A material editing device for multimedia contents, wherein the material is exchanged with the editing means. 2. The multimedia content editing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording unit records the material in a format for authoring. apparatus. 3. The apparatus for editing a material for multimedia content according to claim 1, wherein said converting means comprises a converting means for converting a file format and a converting means for converting a compression format. An apparatus for editing a material for multimedia content. 4. A recording means for recording a material constituting multimedia content in a predetermined format; a plurality of editing means capable of displaying the material, each for editing the material; In a method for editing a material for multimedia content using an apparatus having a conversion means for converting a format between a format and a format which can be processed by the editing means, the externally supplied material may be stored in the recording means. The first to record in
A step of converting the format of the material reproduced from the recording unit by the converting unit and displaying the converted material by the editing unit; and converting the format of the material edited by the editing unit by the converting unit. And a third step of recording by the recording means.