JP4229342B2 - Non-linear video editing system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a video editing system used for television broadcasting, and more particularly to a non-linear video editing system using a nonvolatile digital data storage device capable of random access.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, a video tape recorder (VTR) has been used as a video editing system for a long time. Since the VTR uses a magnetic tape that performs sequential access as its recording medium, if you want to play back the scene immediately after recording a scene, a waiting time will occur along with the tape rewind, and a quick response will occur. It was difficult. In addition, sequential access and a low recording / playback speed are hindered in order to perform quick editing even when editing recorded video.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
On the other hand, in recent years, a so-called non-linear video editing system using a storage medium capable of high-speed random access such as a magnetic disk device (hard disk device) is used in conjunction with the progress of video data compression technology. Being started.
[0004]
In a non-linear video editing system, video data once digitized from an external VTR or line and taken into the disc can be quickly extracted using the editing function called the timeline. By combining them, so-called cut editing can be performed. In this case, “cutting out” the scene does not copy the actual video data, but simply identifies information that identifies the scene that is a part of the original video data, that is, the start position and end position of the scene on the disc. By holding this information (usually address information), video data can be equivalently copied. When the edited result is reproduced, reproduction is performed by referring to the scene specifying information and reading the contents of the corresponding range of the original video data from the disc. Video data in which such cut scenes on the timeline are arranged in time series is called a package. Therefore, it is very quick and easy to perform cut editing from video data once captured on a disc.
[0005]
The process of digitizing video signals from the outside and taking them into the disc is called recording. One method for recording from an external VTR is a solid recording editing method in which the entire video signal is continuously digitized. In the case of solid recording, the user can start other work after instructing digitization. However, until the recording is completed, the user can edit the scene cut based on the video data captured inside. Could not do. However, once the recording is completed, editing can be performed only by manipulating the information specifying the scene, and digitizing time is no longer required.
[0006]
On the other hand, there is a real-time recording / editing method in which a user operates an external VTR to find a necessary video portion, and only those portions are recorded in real time. In this case, the video data is stored on the disc while checking only the necessary parts, so it is possible to avoid wasting disk capacity, and unnecessary parts can be fast-forwarded and skipped. The advantage is that the package is ready when finished. However, for a scene to be captured, even if it is a non-linear video editing device, the time cannot be shortened while it is being recorded. The total time required for editing includes not only the time required for digitizing this scene (same as the playback time) but also the time for the user to search for a scene to be recorded while checking the playback video of the external VTR. Therefore, when creating a package by recording several scenes, the total time required for editing is the sum of the time for searching and searching for scenes and the actual recording time for each scene. . It is desirable to shorten the editing time as much as possible particularly in applications such as news editing that requires quick editing.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and the object of the present invention is to edit by automatically switching between a real-time recording editing system and a solid recording editing system from an external VTR. The object is to provide a non-linear video editing system capable of reducing the total time.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
A non-linear video editing system according to the present invention includes a nonvolatile random access storage device that stores video data and audio data, and video data and audio data from an external video tape recorder (VTR) to the random access storage device. Create a playlist comprising recording means for recording as a record, and scene specifying information indicating the start position and end position of each of a plurality of cut scenes cut out from video data and audio data stored in the random access storage device A playlist generating means for switching, an internal playback means for playing back a record stored in the random access storage device, and a playback output of the VTR and a playback output of the internal playback means as a signal to be output to an external monitor. According to the switching means and user's instructions VTR, recording means, playlist creation means, internal playback means, and control means for controlling the switching means, and when the control means records a plurality of scenes sequentially from the VTR, the VTR according to the operation of the user Is controlled so as to output the playback output to the external monitor, and the recording of the first scene is executed in response to the specification of the range of the first scene by the user. The playlist that controls the VTR and the recording means, stores a record including data of the first scene in the random access storage device, and adds scene specifying information of the first scene to the playlist. The creation means is controlled so that the recording from the VTR is continued to extend the length of the record even after the recording of the first scene is completed. And controlling the switching means to output the reproduction output of the internal reproduction means based on the record to the external monitor, and when the subsequent recording of another scene is instructed by the user, the scene is recorded in the record. The playlist creating means is controlled to add specific information of the scene to the playlist without recording the scene again as long as it is within the playlist.
[0009]
With this configuration, the real-time recording editing system and the solid recording editing system from the external VTR can be automatically and effectively switched, and as a result, the total time required for editing can be shortened.
[0010]
Note that when the edited result is reproduced, the plurality of cut scenes are sequentially read out from the random access storage device and reproduced based on the playlist by the timeline reproducing means.
[0011]
The switching of the processing method of the control means can be repeatedly executed. That is, the control means, when continuing the recording of the record, when the user performs a playback operation exceeding the latest recording position of the record when searching for a new recording target scene, Recording is stopped, and the switching means is controlled to control the playback of the VTR and output the playback output to the external monitor, and a new scene is recorded from the VTR in accordance with a user instruction. A new record is added to the random access storage device, and the playlist creating means is controlled to add the scene specifying information of the new scene to the playlist, and then the recording of the new scene is completed. Continuing the recording from the VTR to extend the length of the new record, and based on the new record The switching means is controlled so that the reproduction output of the part reproduction means is output to the external monitor, and when the subsequent recording of another scene is instructed by the user, as long as the scene is in the new record The playlist creating means is controlled to add the scene specific information to the playlist without recording the scene again.
[0012]
It is preferable that the control means starts recording the playback output of the video tape recorder from a position that is a predetermined time before the start position of the specified range. Thereby, a margin is provided in front of the scene, and it is possible to prevent a blank scene from occurring when the edit point is moved later.
[0013]
It is desirable that the playback operation method of the internal playback means by the user is the same as the playback operation method of the external VTR. Thereby, the user can perform the operation by the same reproduction operation without being aware of the difference in the operation target.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0015]
First, FIG. 1 shows an overall schematic configuration of a non-linear video editing system to which the present invention is applied. This system has a digital recording / playback apparatus 10 at the center. The digital recording / reproducing apparatus 10 includes a nonvolatile random access storage device 140 that digitally stores video (video) data and audio (audio) data. In the present embodiment, a hard disk device is used as the random access storage device 140. A selector 4 capable of connecting a plurality of VTRs is provided at the front stage of the digital recording / reproducing apparatus 10. In addition, a receiving device that receives video data by radio waves (in the figure, the microwave receiving device is schematically illustrated by a parabolic antenna) can be connected. The output video of the selector 4 and the output video of the receiving device can be monitored by monitors 6c and 6d, respectively. The selector 4 is controlled by the digital recording / reproducing apparatus 10. At the subsequent stage of the digital recording / reproducing apparatus 10, a switcher 8 for selectively switching the output of the two systems and the output of the selector 4, and a super mosaic apparatus 191 and an audio fader 192 for processing the output are arranged. Yes. The two output videos of the digital recording / reproducing apparatus 10 can be monitored by monitors 6a and 6b, respectively. All of these monitors 6a to 6d are not essential. The super mosaic device 191 and the audio fader 192 may also be used when video or audio processing is necessary.
[0016]
A keyboard 14, a mouse 16, and a display 12 are connected to the digital recording / playback apparatus 10. An arbitrary pointing device such as a trackball may be used instead of the mouse 16. The display 12, the keyboard 14, and the mouse 16 are devices for assisting a GUI (Graphical User Interface), and are used to interactively perform various operations such as recording, editing, and reproduction on a display display screen.
[0017]
Further, an operation controller (operation unit) 18 is connected to the digital recording / reproducing apparatus 10. The user can operate the digital recording / playback apparatus 10, the switcher 8, the super mosaic apparatus 191, the audio fader 192, the external VTR, and the like by the operation controller 18 under the control of the processor described later. The operation controller 18 can perform almost the same operation as the operation using the GUI using the mouse 16 and the keyboard 14. As an operation unique to the operation controller 18, the playback speed can be variably controlled by the jog / shuttle dial 18a. The function of the dial 18a will be described later.
[0018]
In addition to the random access storage device 140, the digital recording / playback device 10 incorporates resources 171 to 174, which will be described later, and a mix effect (M / E) card 180 for realizing effects such as wipe and dissolve. is doing.
[0019]
FIG. 2 shows a hardware configuration of the digital recording / playback apparatus 10.
[0020]
In this example, the digital recording / playback apparatus 10 includes a 17-slot EISA bus 110 and a 12-slot digital video bus (CCIR601) 130. A processor card 121, a display controller card 122, and an RS422 interface card 125 are installed in the slot of the EISA bus 125. Depending on the card, the card is mounted across both slots of the EISA bus 125 and the digital video bus 130. In the illustrated example, such cards are a genlock reference card 124, a disk controller card 123, a video input interface card 126, a video output interface card 127, and an audio input / output interface card 128.
[0021]
The processor card 121 includes a microprocessor, a RAM, an input / output interface, and the like. The processor card 121 is connected to a system hard disk drive 160 and a floppy disk (flexible disk) drive 150, and is further connected to a keyboard 14 and a mouse 16. A display controller is mounted on the display controller card 122 and controls the display operation of the display 12.
[0022]
A video input from an external VTR is connected to the video input interface card 126, and a video signal from the video output interface card 127 to an external monitor is output. The audio input / output interface card 128 provides an interface for audio input from an external VTR and audio output to an external speaker. These I / O interface cards can be added.
[0023]
The digital video bus 130 incorporates a video router 133 that switches input / output video signals. In this example, the video router 133 can switch any input of 32 inputs to any output of 32 outputs under the control of the processor.
[0024]
The disk controller board 123 controls the video hard disk drive (random access storage device) 140. In this example, a plurality of 4.2 Gbyte hard disks (4 in the example shown in the figure: a total of 16.8 Gbytes) are controlled via the SCSI-2 FAST / WIDE bus 135. A plurality of disk controller boards 123 and hard disk drives (hereinafter also simply referred to as disks) 140 can be added.
[0025]
The genlock reference interface card 124 is for locking the internal clock to an external normal NTSC or PAL black burst signal. The RS422 interface card 125 provides an interface for connecting the operation controller 18.
[0026]
FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the disk controller 123 a mounted on the disk controller card 123. This corresponds to the case where two disk controller cards 123 are mounted in FIG. One disk controller 123a has two JPEG (Joint Photographic Expert Group) compression / decompression chips 123b and 123c for two channels. In order to record a video signal for a longer time, in this example, the motion JPEG compression technique is used, and the video is compressed and stored in the hard disk. Each chip has one video input / output channel and four audio input / output channels. The input video signal and the audio signal are compressed and stored in a disk, and the compressed storage information is expanded and output. be able to.
[0027]
As shown in FIG. 4, this system has a plurality (four in this case) of physical resources (JPEG compression / decompression units) 171 to 174 that can function as a recorder or a player. These four resources correspond to the A channel to D channel, respectively, and the number of these resources corresponds to the number of compression / decompression chips shown in FIG. Depending on the user's purpose, these resources can be assigned to different functions such as recording / playback or editing. In this system, such a logical video recorder (player) is called a virtual recorder or a virtual player (or an internal player). In the example of FIG. 1, the resource 171 is used exclusively for the recorder, and the resource 172 is switched between the recorder and the player. Further, the resource 173 is used by switching to the player and timeline playback (editing), and the resource 174 is used exclusively for the player. Each resource can access the disk 140 independently. Further, the disk 140 is configured so that it can be written and read simultaneously by a known technique such as striping. For example, scene data being written in a certain resource can be read out with a delay of several seconds with another resource. This delay of several seconds is a time corresponding to data buffering for absorbing a relative shift in reading and writing data.
[0028]
Here, “timeline” in this specification represents a cut editing function for combining a plurality of video scenes (and corresponding audio scenes) on the time axis, or a work area therefor, and is created by this cut editing. Is a “playlist”. The package determined by the play list is played not by the player but by the resource assigned to the timeline (TL). Therefore, this resource may be referred to as “TL: Timeline”.
[0029]
FIG. 5 shows an example of a basic editing screen (referred to as a root window) displayed on the screen of the display 12 in the present embodiment. This screen is the initial screen of this system, and video data corresponding to this skeleton is stored on the system disk so that various data and parameter contents can be variably displayed in various areas on the screen. It has become. The various areas include a “scene management” area, a “status” area, an “audio monitor” area, a “time data” area in the middle of the screen, and a “timeline” area in the lower part of the screen.
[0030]
The scene management area is used to hierarchically manage various data of video data (cassettes, packages, etc.) stored in the disc. The target cassette (virtual internal cassette 141 in FIG. 1) and package can be selected, moved, copied, deleted, etc. while referring to this area. At the right end of the scene management area, there is an area where a list display of contents such as packages selected in the scene management area is performed.
[0031]
The status area indicates the current allocation target (line, VTR, TL, transfer, etc.) and the state (recording, playback, transfer, etc.) of the channels A to D described above. In the illustrated example, channel A is assigned to the VTR, channel B is assigned to TL, channel C is assigned to the line, and channel D is assigned to transfer.
[0032]
The audio monitor area is an area for indicating the current state of the four tracks of audio.
[0033]
The time data area is an area for displaying various parameters to be subjected to timeline editing. The reference track display section, the current position (position) of the editing target in TL, the IN point, OUT point, duration, split, and speed of the editing target scene are displayed. “Split” usually indicates the amount by which the cut point of the video track that is the reference track is shifted from the cut point of the scene of the audio track. In this area, the display unit of the device as a source for TL (device PP1 is selected in the figure), and the IN point, OUT point, and duration of the scene to be edited in that device are displayed.
[0034]
In the lower part of this area, a list of time codes on the TL of the scene constituting the package currently applied to the TL and a list of specific information of the scene are displayed.
[0035]
On the right side of the time data area, a trash can is disposed for discarding arbitrary data.
[0036]
The timeline area is an area for displaying the contents of a given package in chronological order, and timeline editing can be performed mainly in this area. The display in the timeline area can be switched between a timeline (time series) display and a list display, and the instruction can be selected with a button on the upper left of the timeline area. In the example in the figure, the timeline display is selected. In the timeline display, the relative time from the top of the package is indicated by a time code consisting of numerical values in the format of hour, minute, second, and field (or frame). There are also buttons for selecting “overwrite” and “interrupt” of the scene. In the time series display, one video track (V) and four audio tracks (A1 to A4) are displayed. Although not shown, it is preferable to highlight and display the currently focused scene of each track. The inverted triangle point on the V track indicates the position of the current edit point. The bar display below the A4 track indicates the progress of playback of the timeline. The scale of the horizontal axis in the timeline area can be variably operated with the magnifying glass icon at the lower right. Below this bar display, a scroll bar is displayed to indicate what part of the entire package is displayed. At the bottom of this timeline area are buttons for manipulating playback of the timeline (<<, <, ||,>, >>) and for moving the focus of the scene (starting the scene) Buttons (| <,> |) are arranged. There are also buttons (−, +) for frame advance and a VIEW button for VIEW instruction to be described in detail later.
[0037]
At the right end of the timeline area, a display section for the number of blank (blank) scenes for each track and a button for instructing search for blank scenes are arranged. There is also a selection button for interrupting or overwriting when editing the scene.
[0038]
In the upper left frame portion of the root window screen, pull-down menus such as “file” and “edit” are arranged. From the “File” menu, you can create, save, and rename files. Below that, a toolbar with various operation buttons arranged is arranged.
[0039]
FIG. 6 shows a plan view of an example of the operation controller 18 used in the present embodiment.
[0040]
An upper left 18b of the operation controller 18 is a liquid crystal display unit that displays a numerical value such as a time code input by the user with the lower right numeric keypad 18v. The key group 18c below it is for selecting a track to be operated in the timeline area of FIG. The EXEC key below is a key for instructing execution of recording in timeline editing described later. The INSERT key and OVERWRITE key perform the same functions as “overwrite” and “interrupt” in the timeline area of FIG. The key group 18d is a device selection key for selecting an operation target. “TL” is a timeline, “P1” and “P2” are two external VTRs, and “PP1” and “PP2” are two. Represents an internal virtual player. The VIEW key in the key group 18e is the same as the VIEW button shown in FIG. The MARKIN key and the MARKOUT key below the key group 18d are keys for the user to inform the system of the desired IN point and OUT point while watching the monitor, respectively. The ALLSTOP key below it is a key for instructing to interrupt the operation or the operation.
[0041]
The key group 18h at the upper center of the operation controller 18 is an editing key used in timeline editing. The key group 18i below it is a key for selecting a cassette and searching for an editing point or a scene. Further, the key group 18j below is a key for 1 × speed reproduction, still image reproduction, and search by time code.
[0042]
A dial 18a for variable speed reproduction operation is provided at the lower center, and keys 18f and 18g for instructing whether the dial 18a functions as a shuttle dial or a jog dial is provided on the dial 18a. The shuttle dial determines the playback speed according to the rotation angle, and the playback speed increases as the tilt increases. When the tilt is 0, playback stops. The jog dial determines the reproduction speed according to the rotation speed, and the reproduction speed increases as the rotation speed increases. Playback stops when rotation stops. The current playback direction is displayed by an indicator 18k. The user usually operates the dial 18a while looking at the monitor connected to the reproduction output.
[0043]
An upper right key group 18m of the operation controller 18 is an operation key of a GUI pointer (not shown) displayed on the screen of FIG. The GUI pointer moves the focus (inverted display or the like) sequentially to each area in the root window described later by the TAB key and SHIFT TAB key, and moves the focus in the area by the arrow key. The SETIN key of the key group 18n is a key for confirmation when a numerical value is input with the IN point and the SETOUT key is a numerical value with the numeric key at the OUT point. Since the key groups 18o and 18p are not directly related to the present invention, description thereof will be omitted.
[0044]
FIG. 7 shows the format of data such as video stored in the video hard disk drive 140 in the present embodiment. From an external VTR or line, a set of video data for one track, audio data for four tracks, and a time code (TC) for one track are combined into a virtual internal cassette (see FIG. 1). 141). Note that the time code from the external VTR is generated from a camera that captures the video in the actual cassette loaded in the external VTR, and recorded on the tape together with the video. This time code is called the original time code.
[0045]
In the present specification, a unit of continuous video or the like written in the internal cassette at one time is called a “record”. In addition, a part of the record recorded in the internal cassette is called a “scene”. This scene is specified by information of the IN point that is the start position and the OUT point that is the end position when editing the timeline. The data of the IN point and OUT point is an address uniquely determined in the disk, and here is a “field number (or frame number)”. When the data of the IN point and OUT point is designated by the user as a time code, it is converted (converted) into a corresponding field number.
[0046]
As shown in the lower part of FIG. 7, scene editing can be performed by virtually arranging the scene specifying information on the timeline in time series. A combination of scenes created by such cut editing is a package. However, a package is not actually a copy of actual data such as video data (including audio data) of a plurality of scenes successively and continuously. The entity of this package is merely a collection of information for specifying a scene as described above. In this specification, such a set of scene specifying information is called a playlist. A package that has been edited can be saved with a name by “package registration”. The registered package is stored in a package window (not shown). It can also be confirmed in the scene management area.
[0047]
FIG. 8 shows a configuration example of this playlist. The playlist is composed of information of video V, audio A1, A2, A3, and A4, and each side has, for each scene, the cassette name 81, scene name 82, IN point 83, OUT of the internal cassette storing the scene. A point 84, a duration (the length of the scene from the IN point to the OUT point) 85, and a playback speed 86 are defined. In FIG. 8, the IN point and the OUT point are shown in the time code format (hour: minute: second: field) for easy understanding, but the system actually holds this as the address in the disk. The field number converted to the number of fields. The system refers to this playlist at the time of playing the package, and sequentially reads the designated portion of the corresponding scene from the disc, so that it is as if a single video tape combining those scenes is being played. To work. Such cut editing of a package is realized by simply combining scene specific information without accompanying substantial copying (playback and recording) operations such as video data. Thus, the creation and modification of packages based on records that already exist in the disc can be done very quickly.
[0048]
Now, with reference to FIG. 9, the schematic configuration and operation of the system when recording video from the VTR according to the present invention will be described. This configuration is an excerpt of the configuration of FIG. However, the switch 96 of FIG. 9 is not shown in FIG. The switch 96 switches the reproduction output from the VTR 90 and the reproduction output from the resource 173 and outputs the result to the monitor 6a. With this switch 96, the VTR output can be directly observed on the monitor 6a. Of course, as shown in FIG. 1, the VTR output can be observed not only by the monitor 6a but also by the monitor 6c.
[0049]
Now, it is assumed that the user sequentially records a plurality of scenes on the tape of the actual cassette mounted in the external VTR 90 in the disk 140 of this system by the operation control unit (18, 121). In this case, not only recording but also scene editing is performed at the same time to create a playlist. In this embodiment, two external VTRs can be connected simultaneously, and the system distinguishes them as “P1” and “P2”, respectively.
[0050]
With reference to the timing chart of FIG. 10, the operation of the system for explaining the automatic switching of the recording method in the present embodiment will be described.
[0051]
First, as a user operation, a target real cassette is set in an external VTR 90 (here, P1). Next, the device selection key “P1” of the operation controller 18 is selected. Thereby, the switch 96 switches to the VTR side. Further, the user searches for a target scene (referred to as scene a) by pressing the jog or shuttle keys 18f and 18g and operating the dial 18a. While the image of the start position of the scene is displayed on the monitor, the “MARKIN” button of the operation controller 18 is pressed. Thereby, the IN point of the scene is determined. Next, the “MARKOUT” button of the operation controller 18 is pressed in a state where the video at the end position of the scene “a” is displayed on the monitor by the dial operation. As a result, the OUT point of the scene is determined. In this way, the range of the recording target scene of the VTR 90 is recognized by the system.
[0052]
Next, the device selection key “TL” of the operation controller 18 is pressed to create the selected package on the timeline. When adding or overwriting an existing package, the package is selected. When creating a new package, a new package is selected from a menu (not shown). In the case of editing with respect to an existing package, the user specifies an editing portion of the package.
[0053]
The above corresponds to the period from time t0 to t1 in FIG.
[0054]
When the user presses the “EXEC” button of the operation controller 18 at time t1, copying of the scene a into the disk 140 is started. At time t2, the VTR control is switched from the operation by the user to the normal speed reproduction by the system. Also, digitization by the virtual recorder (R) is started. The recording start position is a position that is a predetermined time Δt before the IN point (time code TC1) of the scene a on the tape set in the VTR. The record portion corresponding to the time Δt is called “margin”, and is a portion that is taken in more than a pre-designated range in case of editing point movement later. By providing this margin, it is possible to prevent a blank scene from occurring when the edit point is moved. The length of the margin can be variably set by the user. The front and rear margins are the same, but they may be different. In the illustrated example, the time code TC0 from the external VTR corresponds to the disk address AD10 of the internal cassette. Thereafter, the correspondence between the address of each part of the created record and the time code of the VTR is held by the system.
[0055]
After time t3, normal speed playback of the VTR and digitization of the playback output by the virtual recorder are continued. That is, solid recording is performed.
[0056]
Normally, after the user records the scene, the user confirms the scene just recorded, and during this time, the recording of the VTR playback output proceeds to a position far ahead of the time code TC2.
[0057]
The system switches control to the solid recording editing method after time t2. In the solid recording editing method, when the user searches for the next recording target scene by dialing again after the confirmation work, the system records the currently recorded record as a playback output equivalent to the playback output of the VTR to be shown to the user. A reproduction output obtained by applying to the internal player is generated. Therefore, the resource 173 (P / TL) is used as an internal player, and the switch 96 is switched to the resource 173 side. As a result, it is assumed that the user is operating the external VTR, and the system controls the internal player according to the user's operation. The user operation method of the internal player is exactly the same as that of the external VTR. If it is within a record already recorded by the operation of the internal player, a new recording target scene can be searched for by reproducing the internal player, and based on this, the IN point and OUT point can be designated.
[0058]
Assume that after the user designates the IN point and OUT point of a new recording target scene b, the EXEC instruction is given at time t6. Since the scene b in the range specified here is already recorded from the time t4 to the time t5 prior to the time t6, the scene b can be additionally edited only by adding the scene specifying data to the playlist at the time t6. Complete.
[0059]
Thereafter, it is assumed that the user fast-plays the internal player to search for the next new recording target scene by dialing again. At this time, at the time t7 when the playback position of the internal player catches up with the latest VTR playback position currently being recorded and attempts to overtake, the system stops the normal speed playback of the VTR and leaves the VTR operation to the user. At the same time, the switch 96 is switched to the VTR side. Also, digitization stops at time t7. Eventually, a new record is stored in the disc between addresses AD10 and AD15 corresponding to the period from time t1 to time t7.
[0060]
The operation after time t7 is the same as the operation from time t0, and the user specifies the next recording target scene (scene c) by the VTR operation. When the user issues an EXEC instruction at the next time t8, the same operation as at time t1 is performed. That is, the operation of the real-time recording / editing system from the external VTR is performed. Even after the recording of the scene c is completed at the time t10, the recording is continued as in the case of the time t3, and a new record (from the address AD16) is expanded by this solid recording. A region between time points t8 and t9 corresponds to a margin. This solid recording continues until there is a playback operation of the internal player that overtakes the latest recording position as described above due to a fast-forward playback operation by the user, or until a recording end instruction is issued.
[0061]
In the example of FIG. 10, the case where the playback position of the internal player by the user exceeds the latest recording position during the recording of the first record is shown. The playlist can be updated quickly using only the internal player. In addition, even when the playback position of the internal player exceeds the latest recording position, the total time required for editing is reduced as compared with the case of the real-time recording / editing system from the VTR.
[0062]
FIG. 11 shows the state of records in the cassette a obtained by the operation of FIG. The cassette a stores a first record from the address AD10 to AD15 and a second record after the address AD16. The data of the IN point and OUT point of the scenes a, b, and c that are actually taken into the playlist by editing are AD11 to AD12, AD13 to AD14, and AD17 to AD18, respectively. The portion of AD10 to AD11 immediately before the scene a is the margin portion described above. The contents of such a playlist are shown in FIG.
[0063]
The user can play back the package defined by this playlist on the timeline. That is, video and audio are continuously reproduced in a mode in which these scenes are combined in a playlist.
[0064]
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a control procedure for realizing the automatic switching processing of the recording method in the present embodiment as described in FIG. This process functions during timeline editing from an external VTR. The user may be able to select either the conventional real-time recording / editing method or the automatic switching method according to the present invention.
[0065]
In the process of FIG. 13, first, the external VTR is controlled according to the user's operation (S11). Next, the user waits for input of information on the IN point and OUT point of the scene to be recorded (S12). Instead of one of the IN point and the OUT point, the duration which is the length of the scene may be designated by a numerical value. Thereafter, when the EXEC instruction is given (S13), normal speed reproduction is started from a position before the IN point on the tape of the VTR (S14). Next, digitizing is started from the position before the margin of the IN point (S15) and recorded as a new record in the internal cassette (S16). At this time, when the digitization for the range of the designated scene is completed, the scene specifying data of the scene is added to the playlist.
[0066]
After the start of digitizing, the user's operation target is switched from the external VTR to the internal player, and the internal cassette currently being recorded is loaded into the internal player (S17). The switch 96 is also switched to the P / TL side. Therefore, the internal player is controlled according to the user's operation (S18).
[0067]
If there is an end instruction from the user (S19), both the reproduction of the VTR and the recording by the virtual recorder are stopped (S20), and this process is ended.
[0068]
During the user's operation, unless there is an operation that causes the playback of the internal player to exceed the latest recording position (S21, No), after the IN point and OUT point of a new scene are input (S24), the EXEC instruction is followed (S25) The scene specifying data of the scene is added to the playlist (S26).
[0069]
In the previous step S19, when there is a user operation such that the playback position of the internal player exceeds the latest recording position (S19, Yes), the normal speed playback of the VTR is stopped (S22). Next, the device to be controlled is switched from the internal player to the external VTR, and the switch 96 is also switched to the VTR side (S23), the process returns to the first step S11, and the above procedure is repeated.
[0070]
While the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
[0071]
【The invention's effect】
According to the nonlinear video editing system of the present invention, the total time required for editing can be shortened by automatically switching between the real-time recording editing system and the solid recording editing system from the external VTR. Therefore, the present invention has a remarkable effect when used for applications such as news editing where the time required for editing is limited.
[0072]
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a video editing system according to the present invention.
2 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a digital recording / playback apparatus 10 in the system of FIG.
3 is a schematic diagram showing an internal configuration of a disk controller 123a in the apparatus of FIG. 2. FIG.
4 is a schematic diagram showing a relationship between a disk in the digital recording / playback apparatus in the system of FIG. 1 and a plurality of physical resources (resources) that can function as a recorder or a player. FIG.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a halftone image showing an example of a basic editing screen (referred to as a root window) displayed on the display 12 in the embodiment of the present invention.
6 is a plan view of an example of an operation controller used in the system of FIG. 1. FIG.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a format of data such as video stored in the video hard disk drive 140 in the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a playlist in the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a schematic configuration and operation of a system when recording video or the like from a VTR in the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a timing chart showing the operation of the system for explaining the recording method automatic switching in the embodiment of the present invention.
11 is a diagram showing a state of records in a cassette a obtained by the operation of FIG.
12 is a diagram showing the contents of a playlist obtained by the operation of FIG.
13 is a flowchart showing an example of a control procedure for realizing the recording method automatic switching process of FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
4 ... selector, 6 ... monitor, 8 ... switcher, 10 ... digital recording / playback device, 12 ... display, 14 ... keyboard, 16 ... mouse, 18 ... operation controller, 80 ... playlist, 90 ... external VTR, 96 ... switch 110 ... EISA bus 121 ... processor card (including RAM) 122 ... display controller card 123 ... disk controller card 124 ... genlock reference card 125 ... RS422 interface card 126 ... video input interface card 127 ... video output Interface card 128 ... Audio input / output interface card 130 ... Digital video bus 133 ... Video router 135 ... SCSI-2 bus 140 ... Video hard disk drive Seth storage device), 141 ... cassettes, 150 ... floppy disk drive, 160 ... hard disk drive for the system.

Claims (4)

A nonvolatile random access storage device for storing video data and audio data;
Recording means for recording video data and audio data as records from an external video tape recorder (VTR) to the random access storage device;
A playlist creating means for creating a playlist including scene specifying information representing a start position and an end position of each of a plurality of cut scenes cut out from video data and audio data stored in the random access storage device;
Internal reproduction means for reproducing a record stored in the random access storage device;
Switching means for switching between the reproduction output of the VTR and the reproduction output of the internal reproduction means as a signal to be output to an external monitor;
A control means for controlling the VTR, recording means, playlist creation means, internal playback means and switching means in accordance with a user instruction;
When the control means records a plurality of scenes sequentially from the VTR,
Controlling the switching means to reproduce the VTR at a variable speed in response to a user operation and to output the reproduction output to the external monitor;
The VTR and the recording means are controlled so as to execute recording of the first scene in response to the specification of the range of the first scene by the user, and the record including the data of the first scene is stored in the random access storage. Stored in the device,
And controlling the playlist creation means to add the scene specifying information of the first scene to the playlist,
Even after the recording of the first scene is completed, the recording from the VTR is continued to extend the length of the record, and the playback output of the internal playback means based on the record is output to the external monitor. Controlling the switching means to output to
Thereafter, when the recording of another subsequent scene is instructed by the user, as long as the scene is in the record, the scene specific information is added to the playlist without recording the scene again. A non-linear video editing system characterized by controlling playlist creation means. The control means includes
When there is a playback operation that exceeds the latest recording position of the record when the user searches for a new recording target scene while continuing to record the record, the recording of the record is stopped, The switching means is controlled to control playback of the VTR and output the playback output to the external monitor, and record a new scene from the VTR according to a user instruction and store a new record in the random access storage. In addition to adding to the device, controlling the playlist creation means to add the scene identification information of this new scene to the playlist,
Thereafter, even if the recording of the new scene is completed, the recording is continued from the VTR to extend the length of the new record, and the playback output of the internal playback means based on the new record is output. Controlling the switching means to output to the external monitor;
Thereafter, when the recording of another subsequent scene is instructed by the user, as long as the scene is in the new record, the scene specific information is added to the playlist without recording the scene again. 2. The non-linear video editing system according to claim 1, wherein the play list creating means is controlled to do so. 3. The non-linear video editing according to claim 1, wherein the control means starts recording the playback output of the video tape recorder from a position that is a predetermined time before the start position of the specified range. system. The non-linear video editing system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a reproduction operation method of the internal reproduction means by a user is made common with a reproduction operation method of the external VTR.

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