WO1993023954A1

WO1993023954A1 - Method of and apparatus for transfer of film to video

Info

Publication number: WO1993023954A1
Application number: PCT/CA1992/000198
Authority: WO
Inventors: Wilfred J. Giovanella
Original assignee: Tintoretto Corporation
Priority date: 1992-05-08
Filing date: 1992-05-08
Publication date: 1993-11-25
Also published as: AU1668292A

Abstract

An apparatus for and method of converting images provides an initial video recording, in which each frame corresponds with the frame of the film in a 1:1 ratio. Otherwise, this video recording is preferably in accordance with an accepted video standard, e.g. NTSC. Optionally, the initial video recording can be treated, e.g. colored. The user can then select one or more video conversion standards for conversion of the video recording. Two or more of these conversions can be effected simultaneously. Thus, one conversion would be to convert the frame rate to that of a conventional NTSC recording by a 3:2 pull down, while simultaneously effecting conversion, on a frame-by-frame basis without alteration of the frame count, to the European PAL standard.

Description

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR TRANSFER OF FILM TO VIDEO

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the transfer of film to video and more particularly is concerned with a technique which enables the video to be treated and simultaneously converted to two or more different video standards.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION There are a variety of known video standards.

The two most prevalent are NTSC, which is the North American video standard, and PAL, which is the European standard. NTSC is also found in Japan and some Asian countries. NTSC requires 30 frames/second , while PAL requires 25 frames/second. The method of encoding in the two systems is different so that conversion between the two requires more than simply altering the frame rate. For example, the number of lines per frame is quite different in the two systems. A further known system is SECAM, which is used primarily in France and Russia.

The PAL standard's frame rate of 25 frames/second is very similar to that of 24 frames/second for standard motion picture film. In conversion, the film is simply speeded up to the 25 frames/second rate, and to a viewer, this has no detectable affect on the video signal or the audio signal.

In transferring the film into an NTSC video signal, the film (running at 24 frames/second) is usually transferred in "real time" to video (30 frames/second - 60 fields/second) for treatment (for example, automated electronic colouring, special electronic effects. electronic post productions) . Thus each frame of film transferred is not transferred to one frame (two fields) of video. In fact, the transfer is what is known as a "3:2 pull down" where the frames of film are alternately deposited on three fields of video and then onto two fields of video and so on. The result when played back is interfield motion within the same frame of video.

To retain and maintain frame integrity it has been proposed to transfer the film at a sped up rate of 30 frames per second to video. Each film frame now occupies one video frame thus simplifying treatment. Thereafter, it has been proposed that the rate of video playback be converted to 24 frames per second. This is purported to be accomplished using the "slo- o" mode of the video machine, to convert its 30 frames per second recording of the film to an equivalent 24 frames per second speed. See the article entitled "Black and White in Colour" in The BKSTS Journal_r November, 1983.

Other proposals relating to conversion to the NTSC standard have been made. In this regard, see:

United States Patent 4,402,018 which purports to teach a process for converting images on a motion picture film into a video signal, said film being recorded in the form of 24 frames/second and said video signal being displayed at 60 fields/second, said process comprising:

(a) repeating video signals derived from a first motion picture frame as four consecutive video fields;

(b) repeating video signals derived from each of the next three film frames to provide the next six video fields; whereby said four film frames produce a 4-2-2-2 conversion into the fields of the video signal;

(c) generating reference gating signals for identifying the beginning and end of each 4-2-2-2 conversion; (d) arranging each 4-2-2-2 conversion responsive to said reference signal to have a specific position relative to a vertical blanking period in said video signals; and (e) recording four fields on each turn of a spiral track on a recording disk which is rotating at 900 R.P.M.;

United States Patent 4,337,484 which purports to teach an apparatus in which the video disk frames are reread while a shutter blocks the film in order to have, during the rereading operation, the time necessary for advancing the kinescope film without causing violent mechanical stresses. In order to pass from the television standard with 30 frames/second to the cinematographic standard of 24 frames/second, one frame out of five is not recorded on the film and the film advanced without any rereading;

European Application 152,141 purports to teach a record carrier having a spiral-shaped or concentric ring-shaped information track on which a programme is recorded in a sequence of two fields in every turn of the track. It requires (n) film frames per unit time to be reproduced in order to realize reproductions with the original frame speed. The nominal playback speed of the carrier is (m) video pictures of two fields per unit time, where (m) is greater than (n) . The read apparatus can move the scanning point forwards or backwards in a radial direction over a distance corresponding to the radial displacement over one revolution using a jump-signal generator, switch and motor. •

For each film frame only two consecutive fields are recorded. During read-out, the scanning point is moved backwards and/or forwards to preceding and following turns of the track. Each time consecutive film frames are reproduced, the number of film frames reproduced per unit time is (n) and the number of video pictures reproduced is (m) . This allows reproduction of film recorded at 24 frames/second (n - 24) in accordance with U.S. TV standard (NTSC) . There is no need to repeat picture information at the expense of playing time;

United States Patent 3,366,733 purports to teach a system for recording video signals derived from a motion picture film on a disk. The motion picture advance is controlled in synchronism with the rotation of the disk whereby, for example, succeeding film pictures are recorded alternating as two and three fields for 24 frames/second type film, or three film pictures are recorded in four fields, one film picture in three fields, in alternating sequence for a 16 frames/second type film. General rules are developed for the various cases. The recording of sequential fields is controlled in synchronism with the rotation of the disk and the alternating recording patterns are counted out; and

Canadian Letters Patent 953,815 which purports to teach a method of converting television video signals representing colour information to colour motion picture film. The video information occurring at 60 fields/second is recorded as a three colour black and white separation master at 72 frames/second. Each group of three colours on the black and white separation master is printed as one colour film frame to produce the 24 frames/second colour film. Each of the three colours on each colour film frame comes from the same point in time in that it comes from the same TV field and problems of colour fringing are thereby eliminated. In addition, problems of motion irregularity are purported to be eliminated in that the conversion from the 60 field/second television signals to the 24 frames/second colour film does not involve the double use of particular ones of the colour groups on the black and white separation master. The conversion is purported to occur because 72 separation colour successive frames are recorded on the black and white separation master during the time of 60 colour television fields, and there is no motion irregularity since there is no double use of information.

United States Patent 4,157,570 purports to teach a TV-cine conversion projector adapted to carry out the ordinary film projection of the projector at the feeding rate of film frames of substantially 24 frames/second and 18 frames/second, while, in co-operation with a TV camera tube such as a vidicon; it can convert the projected images of the film at the feeding rate of the film frames of substantially 24 frames/second and 18 frames/second into TV pictures scanned at the scanning rates of 60 fields/second or 50 fields/second, and comprises a main shaft driven at a constant speed.

The proposals discussed above suffer from a number of deficiencies. Some reduce the information content during the transfer process from one medium to the other. Some of the systems introduce interfield motion making the processing of the video tape difficult. For example, in colouring of film so transferred, colour spills over from one part of a picture (for example, a hand) to another (for example, a pocket) due to interfield motion.

My earlier U.S. Patent 4,901,161, and Canadian Patent 1,294,033 describes a method which overcomes these problems by using 1:1 transfer from film to an initial video recording. However, it only enables conversion to be made to one video standard.

If a conversion has been made to the NTSC standard, then it is possible to carry out a subsequent conversion to the PAL standard. This requires effectively reducing the frame count per second from 30 to 25. Further, due to the different encoding techniques and different line counts, the whole signal will need to be converted, for each frame. Problems can arise if the NTSC signal was derived by the 3:2 pull down, described above. If the correct fields, i.e. the third field in the 3 sequence, are discarded, then a good conversion is achieved. On the other hand, if some of the duplicate fields inserted by the 3:2 pull down are left, and original fields in the 2 sequence deleted, then this can lead to jerkiness in any motion in the picture. Practically, if someone wishes to convert a film to both NTSC and PAL simultaneously, then there are essentially two approaches, if no other editing or treatment of the signal is required. A simple approach is simply to carry out two separate conversions, with each conversion being carried out in real time. A second approach is to use a technique similar to the 3:2 pull down described above, but inserting special flags into the signal, to indicate the repeated fields. This does make it more difficult for any further processing or editing of the video, as proposed in my earlier U.S. and Canadian patents. This provides the frame rate of 30 frames/second for NTSC. To reduce this to 25 frames/second for PAL, the flags are used to identify those frames or fields which should be discarded, without marring the picture. While this technique enables NTSC video signal to be converted to a PAL signal, it does not enable any other processing of the signals to be carried out.

It is desirable that a method and apparatus for transferring images from a motion picture film to video should enable editing and other treatment of the images to be effected, whilst at the same time enabling either conversion to one or both of PAL, NTSC or other standards to be selected readily.

It is therefore desirable to provide an .improved process of transferring film to video, which will enable either one of two or more conversion techniques to be applied. Optionally, an editing or treating step can be effected prior to conversion, e.g. to introduce special effects. Then, one or more conversion techniques can be applied, to obtain converted video signals including such special effects.

Further and other objects of the invention will be realized by those skilled in the art from the following summary of the invention and detailed description of an embodiment thereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a method of converting images from film to video, the method comprising: (1) providing an initial video recording in accordance with an initial video standard of images from a film, with there being a 1:1 ratio between frames of the video recording and the frames of the film;

(2) providing first and second video standards; (3) selecting one of the first and second video standards; and

(4) converting the initial video recording to the selected one of the first and second video standards, and making a master recording of that video conversion. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for converting images from film to video, the apparatus comprising: an initial recording means including an initial recording medium for bearing an initial video recording in accordance with an initial video standard of images from a film, with there being a 1:1 ratio between frames of the initial video recording and frames of the film; a first video conversion means for converting the initial video recording in accordance with a first video standard; a second video conversion means for converting the initial video recording in accordance with a second video standard, with both of the first and second video conversion means being connected to the initial recording means; and a first master recording means being selectively connectable to one of the first and second video conversion means for selecting one of the first and second video standards and for making a master recording of that video conversion.

The initial video recording could either have been made previously, or the step of making this recording could be included in the method of the present invention. In any event, the initial video recording should be recorded on a 1:1 ratio, so that each frame of the video recording corresponds exactly to one frame of the originating motion picture film. In this way, the video recording can be treated as a series of still images for future processing. It is preferred for each frame of the video recording to be recorded in the NTSC format, but at a frame rate equivalent to that of the original motion picture film.

Then, the first video conversion method or technique can comprise converting the initial video recording from its modified NTSC format to the correct NTSC format. In effect, this requires no alteration within each individual field, but does require the frame rate to be modified. This is achieved by simulating a conventional 3:2 pull down with the pairs of fields from the initial video recording being deposited alternately as three fields and then two fields in the converted video recording.

The second video conversion technique can be a conversion to the European PAL format. Here, the frame rate need not be modified, with, in known manner, the discrepancy between the 24 and 25 frame/second rates being ignored. Instead, within each frame and field, it will be necessary to modify the NTSC signal, to bring it into the PAL format.

In one aspect of the present invention, the initial video signal is subject to treatment, e.g. coloring, editing or electronic effects, and is then recorded on an intermediate storage medium. It is only after this intermediate recordal that the first and second or other conversion techniques are applied, to produce one or more final master recordings in the desired formats.

Preferably, the various reading and recording steps as well as the treating of the video signal are synchronized. This can be achieved by way of a computer that is linked or controls the treatment process. The individual treatment steps on each frame can vary in duration considerably, depending upon exactly what treatment is taking place. This can be monitored by the computer, which can ensure that indexing to the next field only occurs once a particular treatment step has been finalized. This should ensure that the various method steps are kept in synchronism with one another, whilst at the same time ensuring the maximum throughput and no unnecessary delay.

For technical reasons, it is preferable that in all instances the transfer of "A" fields be to "A" fields of video and "B" fields to "B" fields to eliminate colour framing errors.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic illustrating the implementation of the process according to one embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a view of the transport of the telecine used in the process illustrated in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a block schematic illustrating the structure of one of the components shown in Figure 1;

Figures 4 and 5 illustrate the transfer of modified video to standard real time video; Figure 6 is a schematic, similar to Figure 1, of a second embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 7 is a block diagram, similar to Figure 3, of the second embodiment of the present invention; and

Figure 8 is a block diagram of the Digital Disk Recorder/Playback.

DESCRIPTION OF HE B Tt nT RWTp

With reference to Figure 1, there is shown Rank Centel Mark III Flying Spot Dual Gauge Multistandard Telecine 10 (not a photoconductive telecine), which telecine is used to convert a film 12 (depicted generally at 12A) loaded on spool 13 to video signals for transmission along cable 14 to any suitable recorder, for example, a Sony VTR (Video Tape Recorder) 16 Model BVH2500 and storage on tape 18 (depicted generally as 18A) . With reference to Figures 1 and 2, film 12 leaving feed spool 13 passes over three dual gauge rollers 20, 22 and 24, two fixed (20 and 24) and the third 22 being a tension arm roller controlling the feed spool servo (not shown) . The film then enters the vision gate and in the case of 16 mm film, passes directly to the capstan 26 and vision gate 27 after which it enters the take-up tension roller system comprising two fixed rollers 30 and 34 and tension arm roller 32 before final take up at spool 36. The 35 mm path has one extra roller. The optics of telecine 10 consist of a flying spot cathode ray tube, a single objective lens in vision gate 27 for each format and a light collecting and colour splitting photocell box, behind the film. The continuously moving film is scanned in opposite direction to the film motion during each active field. Because film 132 is to be transferred to video in a 1:1 frame of film to frame of video ratio where one frame of film corresponds to one frame (two sequential fields) of video, capstan drive 26 is driven faster at the appropriate speed up velocity (at the 30 frame/second rate as opposed to the 24 frame/second rate) to lay down the frames of film on video to have the 1:1 correspondency.

The film motion is controlled by two separate spooling servos and a capstan servo. Each spooling servo operates by means of feedback from the tension roller, and merely controls the film tension whereas the capstan alone controls the film velocity.

Each tension roller is coupled to a shutter which varies the light collected by a photocell. The photocell amplifier drives the spooling motor amplifier, the d.c. spooling motor being coupled directly to the film spool shaft. A high degree feedback is employed, to obtain extremely constant film tension even when using non-concentric or damaged film spools. The spooling servos are capable of providing torque in either direction in forward or reverse so that for rapid starts, the initial torque on the feed spool can be reversed to start full spools. The capstan servo's main aim is to transport the film at the constant velocity, and this is done by using a primary velocity feedback loop with a high degree of feedback, and minimum lag. It is also necessary to phase lock the film to the stations syncs. , and for this purpose, a secondary feedback loop with integration is used.

The video signal corresponding to a rate of 30 frames of film per second is forwarded along cable 14 to VTR 16 - Sony Model BVH 2500 - where each frame of film is laid onto one frame (two fields) of video on tape 18. Here VTR 16 provides an initial recording means on which an initial video recording in accordance with an initial video conversion standard is made; this standard is, in effect, the NTSC standard with a different frame rate. VTR 16 provides the operational features and functions of the most modern C Format VTR's with the additional flexibility of a variable speed record mode; Δt recording: Δt is a highly refined form of time lapse recording. A number of record speeds are available from real time, when the BVH-2500 behaves as a standard C Format recorder, to still frame. A C Format 'footprint' is maintained on tape at all times, ensuring compatibility with other C Format VT's. In the still frame record mode, the recording is sequential, requiring no pre-roll, forward/back motion, or re-synchronisation. A single 11.75" diameter reel of tape provides storage for up to 200,000 frames, or if required, up to 400,000 fields.

In the real time non-Δt mode, all standard editing and control functions are available. Δt operation is provided in three operational modes. All modes recpiire that the master tape be prepared with control track information; normally Black Burst. One mode is still recording. A single field or frame may be recorded by selection of 'Still' and then Edit/Record commands. A minimum tdLme of 0.2 seconds per field or frame is required for the erase/write sequence and the record made in use is displayed on the control panel display.

After the video signal transferred by cable 14 to VTR 16 for recordal on tape 18 at 30 frames/second (1:1 ration of frame of film to frame of video) and the signal has been recorded, the signal can be treated. (Examples of treatments are outlined in Figure 1.)

Thereafter, the tape is ready for return to "real time". In this regard, the video signal is input along cable 50 into Digital Disk Recorder/Playback 52 Model Abekas A62, manufactured by Video Systems, Inc. (See Figure 6. ) , which provides an intermediate storage medium.

Digital Disk Recorder/Playback 52 combines the well known advantages of digital video recording with high-speed Winchester disk drives, producing a precisely controllable real-time record and playback device offering a full range of record/playback speeds from "still" frame to up to 30 times in forward and reverse. Digital Disk Recorder/Playback 52 is capable of play-record of 3,000 frames or 6,000 frames of video. It does not use tape and works in digital video domain so internal dubbing does not cause generation loss and still frame or play passes do not wear out or damage the recording. Thus, the Digital Disk Recorder 52 records the video on disk on the two Winchester computer Disk Drives at 30 frames/second in video format (transferred over cable 50 after treatment of tape 18).

Thereafter, using the "MACRO" programmable keystrokes of the Digital Disk Recorder Playback 52 and the counter circuitry shown in Figure 3, the "video" is returned to "real time". In effect, the video is converted from the initial video standard (modified NTSC) to a first video conversion standard (conventional NTSC) . In this regard, the video signals are caused to be laid down on video tape 60 carried on VTR 62 Sony Model BVH-2500 (identical to VTR 16) by simulating a 3:2 pull down by transferring the fields of the video to the fields of tape 60 in the following sequence: alternately depositing two fields of the video on two fields of the master, and then two fields of the video on the next three fields of the master. Throughout the "pull down" the same sequence of transfer is maintained. Thus, referring to Figure 4, the Digital Disk

Recorder/Playback and circuitry combination lays down:

(a) the two fields (A,B) stored in the Playback 52;

(b) then the next two fields (A,B) additionally laying down in this case the first field (A) of such two fields (A,B) for one field (A) for a total of three fields;

(c) then the two fields (A,B) in fields (B,A) ;

(d) then the two fields (A,B) in (B,A) and additionally laying down in this case the second (B) of such two fields for a total of three fields (B,A,B), and so on.

Thus, with respect to Figure 4, the fields from tape 16 imputed to Abekas Digital Disk Recorder/Playback 52, are caused to be laid down in sequence as shown to return the film to "real time".

Figure 5 shows the same sequence but starting with laying down the first two fields (A,B) on fields (A,B) of the master and additionally field (A) in the next field (A) of the master.

To facilitate the "pull down", cable 70 connects Digital Disk Recorder/Playback 52 to VTR 62, and the circuitry shown in Figure 3 is secured to both Playback 52 and VTR 62. Circuitry 72 is shown in box 74 shown in Figure 1. Counter circuitry 72 is connected by cable 76 to VTR 62 and cable 78 to Recorder/Playback 52. NTSC Synchronizer Generator 80 is used to synchronize the release of frame pulses. NTSC Synchronizer Generator 80 is located remotely and is used to synchronize all sources in the installation (for television installation) . For the purposes of simulating 3:2 pull down, synchronizer 80 releases synchronizing pulses which rate of pulses is divided by a divider 82 to slow down their rate. The two counters 90 and 92, depending on which switch 84A or 84B is closed, count the synchronization pulses transmitted from synchronizer 80, permitting the requisite number of pulses to pass through the counter (either 2 or 3) to cause the VTR 62 to record a field per pulse, each field being transmitted by the Abekas Digital Disk Recorder/Playback 52. After the requisite number of pulses have been transmitted (with respect of Figure 3, 2 pulses), the two fields laid down - (See Figure 4) , the counter 90 is reset, the switch 84A is opened and switch 84B is closed. The Abekas Digital Disk Recorder/Playback 52 is then advanced one frame and the process continued. Since two pulses have previously been transmitted, counter 92 now counts 3 pulses laying down three fields before the Abekas Digital Disk Recorder/Playback 52 is next advanced one frame (see Figure 4). Thus simulation of a 3:2 pull down is accomplished whereby two fields then three fields, then two fields then three fields respectively are laid down on video tape 60 returning the "movie" or "film" to "real time". Thus a master tape 60 is prepared in "real time" of the treated tape 18. Referring to Figures 6 and 7, these show a second embodiment, which is comparable in many ways to the first embodiment. For simplicity and to avoid duplication, like components are given the same reference numeral and description of these components is not repeated.

Here, an additional VTR 100 is provided. This is connected to the disk recorder 52 via a conversion unit 102, and is also connected to the synchronizer 80.

Here, the VTR 100 is a PAL VTR, for recording video in the European PAL format. Correspondingly, the conversion unit 102 is a PAL conversion unit.

In known manner, to convert to the PAL format, no change in the frame rate is required, although a change in line rate is required. Hence, there is a direct connection from the synchronizer 80, to enable the fields from the disk recorder 52 to simply be converted to the PAL format and then recorded sequentially. The recording in the PAL format can then be played back at the standard PAL rate of 25 frames/second, with no noticeable effect on the video or audio qualities.

Note that if desired a conversion to SECAM could be carried out at the same time. SECAM has the same frame and line rate as PAL, but a different method of encoding colour information. This would require a further conversion unit and VTR.

By arranging the synchronizer 80 to control both the VTR machines 60, 100 as well as the disk player 52, one can effect simultaneous conversion to the NTSC and PAL standards. For the NTSC standard, it is simply a matter of changing the frame rate or count, as each field has already been recorded in accordance with NTSC standards. For the PAL recording, it is necessary to convert each field to the PAL standard, but conversely, there is no need to alter the frame rate. The advantage of doing this is that all editing and effects introduced prior to recording by the disk recorder 52 are automatically carried through to the final NTSC and PAL recordings.

In the above system, if the synchronizer 80 is operating independently, then it is preferably set to cause fields to be recorded at the slowest rate at which they would be processed during signal modification. The disk recorder 52 then acts as a buffer between the signal modification and final recordal on one or both of the VTR 60, 100. This has the disadvantage that the recordal of each frame is slowed down to that required by the most complex and time consuming editing or modification step. Practically, the time spent on editing or signal modification can vary considerably, and will depend upon the number of frames that have to be called up.

In an alternative, preferred arrangement, a computer 104 is provided, controlling both the modification and editing step, and also the synchronizer 80. In effect, a "hand shaking" exchange takes place between the computer 104 and synchronizer 80 whenever another field is to be recorded. Thus, once the treatment for a particular field has been completed, the computer 104 would send a signal to the synchronizer 80 indicating that the next field should be recorded. As many changes can be made to the embodiment without department from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained herein be interpreted as illustrative of the invention and not in a limiting sense. In particular, although specific VTRs and a video disk recorder have been shown, it will be realised that any suitable video recording device could be used.

Claims

I CLAIM:

1. A method of converting images from film to video, the method comprising:

(1) providing an initial video recording in accordance with an initial video standard of images from a film, with there being a 1:1 ratio between frames of the video recording and the frames of the film;

(2) providing first and second video standards;

(3) selecting one of the first and second video standards; and

(4) converting the initial video recording to the selected one of the first and second video standards, and making a master recording of that video conversion.

2. A method as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the first video standard is the same as the initial video standard, for each individual field, and has a different number of frames per unit time, and wherein step (4), for the first video standard, comprises adjusting the number of frames per unit time, so that the number of frames per unit time is in accordance with said first video standard.

3. A method as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the initial video standard has 24 frames/second and said first video standard has 30 frames/second, and wherein step (4), for the first video standard, comprises effecting a 3:2 pull down by alternately transferring two fields from the initial video recording to three fields of the master video recording and two fields of the initial video recording to two fields of the master video recording, with each field of the initial video recording being deposited onto a similar field of the master recording.

4» A method as claimed in Claim 2 or 3, wherein the second video standard has substantially the same frame rate as the frame rate of the initial video recording, and wherein conversion to that second video standard comprises converting each frame individually.

5. A method as claimed in Claim 2, wherein step (3) comprises selecting both of the first and the second additional video standards, and wherein step (4) comprises effecting conversions to said first and second video standards simultaneously on each frame of the initial video recording and simultaneously making two corresponding master recordings.

6. A method as claimed in Claim 5, wherein reading of the initial video recording, and recording of the two master recordings are synchronized.

7. A method as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the initial video recording is treated, to affect the film images recorded thereon, prior to effecting step (4).

8. A method as claimed in Claim 7, wherein the initial video recording is treated by one of automated electronic coloring; special electronic effects; electronic rotorscoping and electronic post production.

9. A method as claimed in Claim 7 or 8, wherein a computer controls the treatment of the initial video recording, and controls synchronization of the supply of frames for conversion and the recording of the two master recordings.

10. A method as claimed in Claim 5, wherein step (2) includes providing a third video standard, and wherein step (4) comprises effecting a conversion to the third video standard simultaneously with the first and second video standards conversions.

11. A method as cla.imed in Claim 5, wherein the first video standard is the same as the initial video standard for each frame, and has a different number of frames per unit time, and step (4), for the first video standard, comprises adjusting the number of frames per unit time of the initial video recording, in accordance with the frame rate of the first video standard, and wherein the second video standard has substantially the same frame rate as the initial video standard and, for the second video standard, step (4) comprises conversion of each frame individually.

12. A method as claimed in Claim 11, wherein the initial video standard has 24 frames/second and the first video standard has 30 frames/second, and wherein step (4), for the first video standard comprises effecting a 3:2 pull down by alternately transferring two fields from the initial video recording to three fields of the respective master video recording and two fields of the initial video recording to two fields of the respective master video recording, with each field of the initial video recording being deposited onto a similar field of the master recordings respectively.

13. A method as claimed in Claim 12, wherein the first additional video conversion standard comprises NTSC, and the second additional video conversion standard comprises PAL.

14. A method as claimed in Claim 7 or 8, wherein after treating the initial video recording, the treated video recording is recorded on an intermediate storage medium, and wherein step (4) is effected on the video recording on the intermediate storage medium, and wherein the treatment of the initial video recording, the recording onto and the playback from the intermediate storage medium, the conversion of the video recording and the recording of the master recording are synchronized with one another.

15. An apparatus for converting images from film to video, the apparatus comprising: an initial recording means including an initial recording medium for bearing an initial video recording in accordance with an initial video standard of images from a film, with there being a 1:1 ratio between frames of the initial video recording and frames of the film; a first video conversion means for converting the initial video recording in accordance with a first video standard; a second video conversion means for converting the initial video recording in accordance with a second video standard, with both of the first and second video conversion means being connected to the initial recording means; and a first master recording means being selectively connectable to one of the first and second video conversion means for selecting one of the first and second video standards and for making a master recording of that video conversion.

16. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 15, wherein the first video standard and the initial video standard are the same for conversion within each frame, with the frame rates of those two video standards being different, and wherein the first video conversion means adjusts the frame rate of the initial video recording, in accordance with the first video standard.

17. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 16, wherein the initial video standard has 24 frames/second and the first video standard has 30 frames/second, and wherein the first video conversion means effects a 3:2 pull down with each pair of fields from the initial video recording being deposited onto three fields of the master video recording, alternately with two fields of the initial video recording being deposited on two fields of the master video recording, with each field of the initial video recording being deposited onto a similar field of the master video recording.

18. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 16 or 17, wherein the second video standard has substantially the same frame rate as the frame rate of the initial video standard, and effects a conversion of the recording of each field in accordance with a second video conversion standard.

19. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 16, which includes means for treating the initial video recording, connected between the initial recording means and the first and second video conversion means.

20. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 19, which includes a synchronization means connected to the treating means and the master recording means, for controlling and synchronizing operation thereof.

21. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 20, which includes an intermediate storage means including an intermediate storage medium, connected between the first and second video conversion means and the initial recording means, and also connected too and controlled by the synchronizing means.

22. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 21, which additionally includes a computing means connected to the synchronizing means and the treating means, for controlling operation of the synchronizing means, in dependence upon the timing of the treating means.

23. An apparatus as claimed in Claims 15, 16 or 20, which additionally includes initial conversion means, for converting images from a motion picture film to an initial video recording, connected to the initial recording means, for recordal on the initial recording medium.

24. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 17, wherein the first conversion means affects conversion of the initial video recording to an NTSC standard and the second conversion means affects conversion of the initial-video recording to a PAL standard.

25. An apparatus as claimed in Claim 22, wherein the first conversion means affects conversion of the initial video recording to an NTSC standard and the second conversion means affects conversion of the initial video recording to a PAL standard.