JPH11136617A - Signal recording device and its method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide the signal recording device that surely informs the user of a defective level of an input audio signal even just before start of photographing or during photographing. SOLUTION: A microcomputer 10 of a camcorder receives a level of audio data from a level discrimination circuit 9 and controls a character signal generating circuit 13 so as to display character information on an EVF 4 when a level of the audio is (Max-1) or over or (Min+1) or below for 3 seconds. In this case, a character signal outputted from the character signal generating circuit 13 and a video signal outputted from a camera section 1 are summed by an adder 2, and a message 'voice is too loud' as a character display A or a message 'voice is too low' as a character display B is displayed on the EVF 4.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a signal recording apparatus and method capable of adjusting an input audio signal level.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A camera-integrated video tape recorder (V) generally known as a signal recording apparatus of this type is conventionally known.
TR) includes a manual adjustment function that allows a user to adjust the level of an input audio signal to a desired level.

In such a camera-integrated VTR, a user can adjust a desired level while watching a level meter display of an input audio signal. The level meter of the input audio signal is displayed on a display unit such as an LCD separate from a viewfinder (EVF) on which the input video is displayed.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional camera-integrated VTR. How to display the audio level in the camera-integrated VTR will be described. In the figure, reference numeral 1a denotes a camera unit that outputs a video signal.
3a is an adder for synthesizing the video signal and the audio signal, 4a is an EVF for displaying the video signal, 5a is a VTR section for recording a synthesized signal composed of the video signal and the audio signal, and 6a is a microphone section for outputting the audio signal. .

[0005] 7a is an amplifier for amplifying the audio signal, 8a is an A / D converter for converting the audio signal from an analog signal to a digital signal, 9a is a level determination circuit for determining the level of digital audio data, and 10a is a camera unit 1a. And a microcomputer (microcomputer) for controlling the VTR unit 5a, a driver 14a for driving the LCD, and a LCD 15a for displaying a sound level meter.

In a conventional camera-integrated VTR having such a configuration, an audio signal output from a microphone section 6a is amplified by an amplifier 7a, and the amplified audio signal is converted from an analog signal to a digital signal by an A / D converter 8a. The digital audio data is converted into a signal, the level of the digital audio data is determined by the level determination circuit 9a, and the determined level is output to the driver 14a. The number of bars corresponding to the level is displayed as a level meter. FIG. 6 shows a level meter displayed on the LCD.

[0007]

However, in the above-described conventional camera-integrated VTR, the user concentrates on the EVF on which the input image is displayed immediately before the start of shooting or during shooting. It was difficult to confirm the level meter displayed on the display unit of the above.

Therefore, even if the level of the input audio signal is too high or too low immediately before the start of shooting or during shooting, the user does not notice that the level of the input audio signal is low, and the level is poor only after reproducing the shot video. I often noticed that.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a signal recording apparatus and method capable of surely informing a user of a level defect of an input audio signal immediately before starting photographing or even during photographing.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, a signal recording apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises a display means for displaying an input video signal and a level for judging a level of the input audio signal. A determination unit, and a signal recording apparatus that performs display according to the determined level, wherein, when the level of the input audio signal is out of a predetermined range, the display unit displays information indicating that the level of the input audio signal is not appropriate. The information output means for outputting the information is provided.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the signal recording apparatus according to the first aspect, the information indicating that the level of the input audio signal is not appropriate is character information.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the signal recording apparatus according to the first aspect, when the level outside the predetermined range continues for a predetermined period, the information output means outputs the information. And

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the signal recording apparatus according to the second aspect, when the level of the input audio signal is equal to or higher than a predetermined level, the information output means includes:
Character information indicating that the input audio signal is too loud is output.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the signal recording apparatus according to the second aspect, when the level of the input audio signal is equal to or lower than a predetermined level, the information output means includes:
Character information indicating that the input audio signal is too small is output.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a signal recording apparatus according to the first aspect, further comprising a level adjusting means for adjusting a level of the input audio signal.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the signal recording apparatus according to the first aspect, the signal recording apparatus is applied to a camera-integrated VTR.

The signal recording method according to claim 8, wherein the input audio signal is displayed, the level of the input audio signal is determined, and the display is performed according to the determined level. If the level of the input audio signal is out of the predetermined range, information indicating that the level of the input audio signal is not appropriate is displayed.

[0018]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the signal recording apparatus and method of the present invention will be described. The signal recording device of the present embodiment is applied to a camera-integrated VTR.

FIG. 1 shows a camera integrated type V according to an embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a TR. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a camera unit that outputs a video signal.

2 is an adder for synthesizing the video signal and the character signal, 3 is an adder for synthesizing the video signal and the audio signal, 4 is an EVF for displaying the video signal, and 5 is a composite signal comprising the video signal and the audio signal. A VTR unit for recording, and a microphone unit 6 for outputting an audio signal.

7 is an amplifier for amplifying the audio signal, and 8 is an A / A for converting the audio signal from an analog signal to a digital signal.
A D conversion unit 9 is a level determination circuit for determining the level of digital audio data, and 10 is a camera unit 1 and a VTR unit 5
Microcomputer that controls the
Reference numeral 12 denotes a timer A and a timer B built in the microcomputer 10, and reference numeral 13 denotes a character signal generating circuit for outputting a character signal. Reference numeral 14 denotes a driver for driving the LCD, and reference numeral 15 denotes an LCD for displaying a sound level meter.

A camera-integrated VT having such a configuration
In R, the audio signal output from the microphone unit 6 is
The A / D converter 8 converts the amplified audio signal from an analog signal to a digital signal, and the level determination circuit 9 determines the level of the digital audio data. Output to the LCD, the number of bars corresponding to the level is used as a level meter on the LCD
15 (see FIG. 6).

Also, the microcomputer 10 inputs the audio level from the level determination circuit 9, and the audio level is set to a predetermined level (3 seconds in this embodiment) and a predetermined level (M in this embodiment).
ax-1) or more or a predetermined level (in the present embodiment, M
In the case of (in + 1) or less, the character signal generation circuit 13 is controlled so that character information is displayed on the EVF 4.

The gain of the amplifier 7 for amplifying the audio signal can be changed by the user through an operation unit (not shown), and the level of the input audio signal can be adjusted.

FIGS. 2 and 3 are flowcharts showing the operation processing procedure executed by the microcomputer 10 when the level of the audio data is input from the level determination circuit 9 to the microcomputer 10. This processing program is executed by the microcomputer 10
Is stored in the ROM.

When the level of the audio data is input from the level determination circuit 9 to the microcomputer 10, the microcomputer 10 first determines whether or not the input level satisfies the level ≧ Max-1 (step S1). If level ≧ Max−1 is satisfied, it is determined whether or not the timer B12 is operating (step S2). If the timer B12 is operating,
Stop and reset the timer B12 (step S
3) If the timer B12 is not operating, do nothing.

Then, it is determined whether or not the timer A11 is operating (step S4). If the timer A11 is not operating, the timer A11 is started (step S7),
When the timer A11 is operating, it is determined whether or not the timer A11 has elapsed for 3 seconds (step S5). If the timer A11 has elapsed for 3 seconds, the control signal for the character display A is output to the character signal generation circuit 13 (step S6).
When the process is terminated and the timer A11 has not elapsed for 3 seconds, the process ends without performing any operation.

On the other hand, at step S1, level ≧ Max-1
Is not established, it is determined whether or not level ≦ Min + 1 is established (step S8). If the level ≤ Min + 1 holds, it is determined whether or not the timer A11 is operating (step S9). If the timer A11 is operating, the timer A11 is stopped and reset (step S10), and the timer A11 operates. If not, do nothing.

Then, it is determined whether or not the timer B12 is operating (step S11). If the timer B12 is not operating, the timer B12 is started (step S1).
4) If the timer B12 is operating, the timer B12
It is determined whether or not 3 seconds have elapsed (step S1).
2). If the timer B has elapsed for 3 seconds, the control signal for the character display B is output to the character signal generation circuit 13 (step S13), and the process is terminated. If the timer B12 has not elapsed for 3 seconds, nothing is done. And end.

On the other hand, at step S8, level ≦ Min
If +1 is not established, it is determined whether or not the timer A11 is operating (step S15). If the timer A11 is operating, the timer A11 is stopped and reset (step S16), and the timer A11 is not operating. If you do nothing.

Then, it is determined whether or not the timer B12 is operating (step S17). If the timer B12 is operating, the timer B12 is stopped and reset (step S18), and the timer B12 is not operating. If you do nothing. Thereafter, a control signal indicating no character display is output to the character signal generation circuit 13 (step S19), and the process ends.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing screen output of the character display A and the character display B in the EVF 4. In the present embodiment, the character signal output from the character signal generation circuit 13 and the video signal output from the camera unit 1 are combined by the adder 2 to display the character display A or the character display B on the EVF 4. "Sound is too loud" is displayed as character display A as shown in Fig. (A), and "Sound is too low" is displayed as character display B as shown in Fig. (B) at the bottom of the EVF4 screen. Is done.

As described above, the camera-integrated V of this embodiment
In the TR, the EVF 4 in which the user displays the input video signal
It is possible to know whether or not the level of the audio signal is appropriate even while keeping the consciousness. Therefore, by adjusting the gain of the amplifier 7, the photographing failure can be prevented before starting the photographing. In addition, even after the start of photographing, the photographing can be immediately performed again.

In the above embodiment, characters are displayed on the lower side of the screen of the EVF 4. However, the arrangement of the character display is not particularly limited, and may be arranged at four corners.

When the character display is blinking or color display is possible, the display may be yellow or red to make it easier for the user to call attention.

Further, the present invention is similarly applicable to a camera and a VTR which are separately connected via a cable or the like.

In the above embodiment, the character signal is added to the video signal and displayed on the EVF. However, the display is performed by switching from the video signal to the character signal for a predetermined time without adding the character signal to the video signal. May be.

Furthermore, means for generating a certain level of sound may be provided to determine the level of the sound signal detected by the microphone unit, so that the reference of the sound signal can be kept constant.

A filter may be provided to determine the level of an audio signal having a specific frequency.

Further, even when the level of the audio signal is appropriate, it may be displayed on the EVF that the audio is appropriate.

Also, instead of displaying characters on the EVF,
Pictograms and marks may be displayed.

Further, it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to a case where the present invention is achieved by supplying a program to the device. In this case, by reading out a storage medium storing a program represented by software for achieving the present invention, the apparatus can enjoy the effects of the present invention. In the above embodiment, the ROM in the microcomputer 10 is used as the storage medium. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a floppy disk, a nonvolatile memory card, or the like can be used.

[0043]

According to the signal recording apparatus of the first aspect of the present invention, the input video signal is displayed by the display means, the level of the input audio signal is determined by the level determination means, and the level is determined. When performing the display according to, if the level of the input audio signal is out of the predetermined range, information indicating that the level of the input audio signal is not appropriate is output to the display means by the information output means. The level defect can be reliably notified to the user immediately before the start of shooting or even during shooting. Therefore, a failure in photographing can be prevented before the start of photographing, and a retake can be promptly performed even after the start of photographing. The same effect can be obtained in the signal recording method according to the eighth aspect.

According to the signal recording device of the second aspect,
Since the information indicating that the level of the input audio signal is not appropriate is character information, the user can correctly recognize that the sound is not appropriate by reading the character.

According to the signal recording device of the third aspect,
When the level outside the predetermined range continues for a predetermined period,
Since the information output means outputs the information, it is possible to correctly determine the level of the audio signal regardless of the magnitude of the temporary audio.

According to the signal recording device of the fourth aspect,
When the level of the input audio signal is equal to or higher than a predetermined level, the information output means outputs character information indicating that the input audio signal is too loud, so that it is possible to cope with a case where the voice is loud.

According to the signal recording device of the fifth aspect,
When the level of the input audio signal is equal to or lower than a predetermined level, the information output means outputs character information indicating that the input audio signal is too low, so that it is possible to cope with a case where the audio is low.

According to the signal recording device of the sixth aspect,
Since the level of the input audio signal is adjusted by the level adjusting means, the audio level can be appropriately adjusted manually or automatically.

According to the signal recording device of the seventh aspect,
Since the present invention is applied to a camera-integrated VTR, it is possible for the user to know the audio level even when the user concentrates on the EVF on which the input video is displayed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a camera-integrated VTR according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation processing procedure executed by the microcomputer 10 when a level of audio data is input from the level determination circuit 9 to the microcomputer 10;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation processing procedure following FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 shows a character display A and a character display B in EVF4.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a screen output.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional camera-integrated VTR.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a level meter displayed on an LCD.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Camera part 2, 3 adder 4 EVF 5 VTR part 6 Microphone part 9 Level judgment circuit 10 Microcomputer (microcomputer) 11 Timer A 12 Timer B 13 Character signal generation circuit

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A display device for displaying an input video signal; a level determining device for determining a level of an input audio signal; and a signal recording device for performing display according to the determined level. A signal recording device provided with information output means for outputting information indicating that the level of the input audio signal is not appropriate to the display means when the value is outside a predetermined range. 2. The signal recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information indicating that the level of the input audio signal is not appropriate is character information. 3. The signal recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the level outside the predetermined range continues for a predetermined period, the information output means outputs the information. 4. The signal according to claim 2, wherein when the level of the input audio signal is equal to or higher than a predetermined level, the information output unit outputs character information indicating that the input audio signal is too large. Recording device. 5. The signal according to claim 2, wherein when the level of the input audio signal is equal to or lower than a predetermined level, the information output means outputs character information indicating that the input audio signal is too small. Recording device. 6. The signal recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a level adjusting means for adjusting a level of the input audio signal. 7. The signal recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the signal recording apparatus is applied to a camera-integrated VTR. 8. A signal recording method for displaying an input video signal, determining a level of an input audio signal, and performing display according to the determined level, wherein the level of the input audio signal is out of a predetermined range. And displaying information indicating that the level of the input audio signal is not appropriate.