Editing methods and apparatuses

Abstract: An editing apparatus comprises first (1), second (2) and third (3) reproducers, an effector (5) for processing to give an effect the end portion of a first reproduced signal reproduced from a first recording medium by the first reproducer and the beginning portion of a second reproduced signal reproduced from a second recording medium by the second reproducer, a recorder (7) for sequentially recording, onto a fourth recording medium, the first and second reproduced signals which have been processed by the effector, together with a third reproduced signal reproduced from a third recording medium, and an editor (8) for controlling the first and second reproducers, the effector and the recorder. Both the first and second reproduced signals are video signals (or audio signals) and the third reproduced signal is an audio signal (or an video signal).

Description: This invention relates to editing methods and apparatuses. EP-A-0 446 054 discloses an integrated video camera and video tape recorder. A combining circuit of EP-A-0 446 054 is arranged to receive: a) camera signals from an image sensor; and b) title signals from a title signal former and character generator. The combined camera signals and title signals are recorded on the video tape recorder (VTR). A controller controls the operation of the title signal former character generator, and VTR, under the control of programs stored in a storage device. The timing of starting and stopping of the VTR maybe synchronized with signal combining, fade-in or fade-out. EP-A-0 466 054 also discloses circuitry for generating music. The circuitry allows an operator to simultaneously record or reproduce music and images by a single operation. The integrated camera and VTR does not allow the editing of a plurality of video signals reproduced from respective playback media together with one or more audio signals reproduced from respective audio playback media onto the same recording medium. In conventional editing (electronic editing), when first video and audio signals reproduced from a first video tape recorder (VTR) and second video and audio signals reproduced from a second VTR are sequentially supplied to a third VTR so that the first and second video and audio signals are edited with or without some special effect for the editing point and are recorded on a magnetic tape, video and audio signals from a common source (the first or second VTR) are always inseparably handled. In the conventional editing, therefore, when video and audio signals of different sources are combined for editing, editing must be done first, for audio signals or for video signals, and then, for the remaining signals, by an after-recording technique. Therefore, the editing operation is complex. According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided an automated editing method for editing video and audio signals automatically onto a recording medium, the method comprising at least the steps of: defining the start and end points of first, second and further signals to be reproduced from respective first, second and third playback media and recorded on the same recording medium, said first and second signals being one of video and audio signals, said further signal being the other of said video and audio signals; automatically synchronizing the start point of the first reproduced signal to a first reference time of said recording medium; automatically synchronizing the end point of said first reproduced signal and the start point of the second reproduced signal to a second reference time of said recording medium thereby defining a first duration between the start and end points of said first reproduced signal, the second reference time being later in time than said first reference time; automatically synchronizing the end point of said second reproduced signal to a third reference time of said recording medium thereby defining a second duration between the start and end points of said second reproduced signal, the third reference time being later in time than said second reference time automatically synchronizing the start point of the further reproduced signal to said first reference time of said recording medium; automatically synchronizing the end point of said further reproduced signal to said third reference time of said recording medium thereby defining a third duration between the start and end points of said further reproduced signal; automatically setting the end point of said first reproduced signal and said start point of said second reproduced signal such that a sum of said first and second durations equals the third duration of said further reproduced signal; sequentially delivering said first and second reproduced signals to said recording medium as a function of said first, second and third reference times such that said first reproduced signal is delivered from said first reference time substantially until said second reference time and said second reproduced signal is delivered substantially from said second reference time until said third reference time delivering said further reproduced signal to said recording medium concurrently with the sequential delivery of said first and second reproduced signals so that said further reproduced signal is delivered from said first reference time until said third reference time, and recording said first and second reproduced signals simultaneously with said further reproduced signal onto said recording medium. According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided an automated editing apparatus for editing video and audio signals automatically onto a recording medium comprising: first, second and further reproducing means for reproducing first, second and further signals from respective playback media; the first and second signals being one of video and audio signals the further signal being the other of the said video and audio signals; recording means for recording the first and second signals on the same recording medium, concurrently with the recording of the further signal on the said recording medium; first means for sequentially delivering the first and second signals to the recording means; second means for delivering the further signal to the recording means; and control means being operable to at least receive data defining the start and end points of the first, second and further signals to be reproduced and recorded on the recording medium, and to at least:- automatically synchronize the start point of the first reproduced signal to a first reference time of said recording medium; automatically synchronize the end point of said first reproduced signal and the start point of the second reproduced signal to a second reference time of said recording medium thereby defining a first duration between the start and end points of said first reproduced signal, the second reference time being later in time than said first reference time; automatically synchronize an end point of said second reproduced signal to a third reference time of said recording medium thereby defining a second duration between the start and end points of said second reproduced signal, the third reference time being later in time than said second reference time; automatically synchronize a start point of the further reproduced signal to said first reference time of said recording medium; automatically synchronize an end point of said further reproduced signal to said third reference time of said recording medium thereby defining a third duration between the start and end points of said further reproduced signal; automatically set the end point of said first reproduced signal and said start point of said second reproduced signal such that a sum of said first and second durations equals the third duration of said further reproduced signal; control the first delivering means to sequentially deliver said first and second reproduced signals to said recording means as a function of said first, synchronizing the end point of the third reproduced signal and the start point of the fourth reproduced signal to a fourth reference time of said recording medium the fourth reference time being later in time than said first reference time; automatically synchronizing the end part of the fourth signal to the said third reference time of said recording medium, the said third reference time being later in time than said fourth reference time; and control the second delivering means to deliver the said third and fourth signals to said recording medium concurrently with the sequential delivery of the said first and second signals so that the third and fourth signals are delivered from said first reference time until said third reference time. Preferred embodiments of the invention described below provide a method and apparatus for easily and freely combining video signals and audio signals for editing even when the video signals are reproduced from different sources and/or the audio signals are reproduced from different sources, and after some special effect is given to the editing point(s) for the video and/or audio signals, they are recorded onto another recording medium together. The invention will now be further described, by way of illustrative and nonlimiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1A illustrates a mode of editing by way of background to the present invention and Figures 1B-1E show various modes of editing used in embodiments of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an editing apparatus of the embodiment. Fig. 3 is a flow-chart showing steps of editing video signals in the embodiment. Fig. 4 is a flow-chart showing steps of editing audio signals in the embodiment. Fig. 5 is a table showing controls by an editor at each timings in the embodiment. Referring to the drawings, several embodiments of the present invention will be explained. First, referring to Fig. 2, an editing apparatus for performing A/B roll editing will be explained. An A-VTR 1 for reproducing (a video tape recorder having a rotary magnetic head ) reproduces a video signal Va and an audio signal Aa from a magnetic tape. (These signals are referred to as A source.) The reproduced video and audio signals Va and Aa are supplied to a video switcher (video effector) 5 and an audio mixer (audio effector) 6, respectively. A B-VTR 2 for reproducing (a video tape recorder having a rotary magnetic head ) reproduces a video signal V band an audio signal Ab from a magnetic tape. (These signals are referred to as B source.) The reproduced video and audio signals Vb and Ab are supplied to video switcher (video effector) 5 and audio mixer (audio effector) 6, respectively. A C-ATR 3 for reproducing ( a tape recorder having a stationary magnetic head or a rotary magnetic head) reproduces an audio signal Ac from a magnetic tape. ( This signal is referred to as C source.) The reproduced audio signal Ac is suppliedto audio mixer (audio effector) 6. A D-ATR 4 for reproducing ( a tape recorder having a stationary magnetic head or a rotary magnetic head) reproduces an audio signal Ad from a magnetic tape. ( This signal is referred to as D source.) The reproduced audio signal Ad is supplied to audio mixer (audio effector) 6. A video signal Vr is derived from video switcher 5 and an audio signal Ar is derived from audio mixer 6. The video and audio signals Vr and Ar are supplied to a R-VTR 7 for recording and are edited thereby. An editor 8 (including a micro-computer ) controls the above components 1-7 by supplying control signals, respectively. Referring to Fig. 1A, an editing operation will be described by way of background to the present invention. Fig. 1(A) shows a simultaneous recording of the video signal (V) of A source with the audio signal (A) of B source by recording VTR 7 in such a manner that their cut-in points and cut-out points on a magnetic tape are aligned with each other. (It is OK if the points are not aligned.) Figures 1(B) to 1(E) show embodiments of the present invention. Fig. 1(B) shows a simultaneous recording of the video signals (V) of A and B sources with the audio signal (A) of C source after processing the ending portion of the video signal of A source and the beginning portion of the video signal of B source; a fade-in / fade-out effect is given here, and by supplying the processed video signals of A and B sources in this order with the audio signal of C source to recording VTR 7 in such a manner that their cut-in points and cut-out points on a magnetic tape are aligned with each other. ( It is OK if the points are not aligned.) Fig. 1(C) shows a simultaneous recording of the video signal (v) of A source with the audio signals (A) of B and C sources after processing the ending portion of the audio signal of B source and the beginning portion of the audio signal of C source; a fade-in / fade-out effect is given here, and supplying the video signal of A source with the audio signals of B and C sources in this order to recording VTR 7, in such a manner that their cut-in points and cut-out points on a magnetic tape are aligned with each other. ( It is OK if the points are not aligned.) Fig. 1(D) shows a simultaneous recording of the video signals (V) of A and B sources with the audio signals (A) of C and D sources after processing the ending portion of the video signal of A source and the beginning portion of the video signal of B source; a fade-in / fade-out effect is given here, at the same time, processing the ending portion of the audio signal of C source and the beginning portion of the audio signal of D source; a fade-in / fade-out effect is given here, and supplying the video signals of A and B sources with the audio signals of C and D sources in these orders to recording VTR 7 in such a manner that their cut-in points and cut-out points on the magnetic tape are aligned with each other. ( It is OK if the points are not aligned.) Fig. 1(E) shows a simultaneous recording of the video signals (V) of A and B sources with the audio signals (A) of C and D sources after processing the ending portion of the video signal of A source and the beginning portion of the video signal of B source; a fade-in / fade-out effect is given here, processing at different timing the ending portion of the audio signal of C source and the beginning portion of the audio signal of D source; a fade-in / fade-out effect is given here, and supplying the video signals of A and B sources with the audio signals of C and D sources in these orders to recording VTR 7 in such a manner that their cut-in points and cut-out points on the magnetic tape are aligned with each other. ( It is OK if the points are not aligned.) Using the case of Fig. 1(B) as an example, a detail of editing video and audio signals will be described hereinafter, referring to flow-charts as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. Editing data set by an operator using editor 8 includes an information that video signal sources change from A source to B source (A/B roll ) and that an audio signal source is C source. The editing data also includes the following information: In-point and out-point of A source : A in , A out In-point and out-point of B source : B in , B out In-point and out-point of C source : C in , C out In-point and out-point of recording VTR 7 : R in , R out Transitional period during which video signals are changing from A source to B source : Trans Editor 8 calculates the editing data which is a starting point of the effect processing, that is, a timing at which video signals start to change from A source to B source. There are several kinds of ways to calculate that. Let us assume that the starting point of the effect processing is E start . In-points and out-points of A, B and C sources are converted onto a time axis ( a reference time axis ) on the magnetic tape in recording VTR 7 as follows: A in → A rin , A out → A rout , B in → B rin , B out → B rout , C in → C rin , C out → C rout Durations of A, B and C sources, A dur , B dur and C dur are expressed as the following equations. A dur = A out - A in , B dur = B out - B in , C dur = C out - C in First, referring to Fig. 3, steps of editing video signals will be described. Step ST-1 : Making A in coincident with A rin . Step ST-2 : Making the sum of A rin and A dur (or the sum of R in and A dur ) coincident with A rout . Step ST-3 : Setting the starting points of the effect E start ( = Ar out = R in + A dur , for example) Step ST-4 : Because out-point A out of A source coincides with in-point B in of B source, B rin = A rout = R in + A dur . Step ST-5 : Making the sum of B rin and B dur , that is, the sum of R in , A dur and B dur coincident with B rout ( = R out ). Next, referring to Fig. 4, steps of editing audio signals will be described. Step ST-1 : Making the in-point R in of the recording VTR coincident with the in-point C in of C source. Step ST-2 : Making the sum of in-point R in of the recording VTR and the duration C dur of C source with the out-point C rout of C source. Referring to Fig. 5, how editor 8 controls respective components in the case of editing as shown in Fig. 1(B) will be described. 1. R-VTR 7, A-VTR 1 and C-ATR 3 are controlled so that when the in-point of R-VTR 7 comes, the in-point R in of R-VTR, the in-point A in of A source and the in-point C in of C source come. Video switcher 5 is controlled so that it takes A source for a cross-point [PGM (Program) bus ] when the in-point R in of R-VTR comes. Audio mixer 6 is controlled so that it takes C source for a cross-point when the in-point R in of R-VTR comes. 2. B-VTR 2 is controlled so that when R in + A dur comes, the in-point B in of B source comes. Video switcher 5 is controlled so that it takes B source for a cross-point [PST (preset) bus ] when R in + A dur comes. Switcher 5, then starts processing to give a change effect from A source to B source. A conventional video switcher has a PGM bus and a PST bus so that in A/B roll editing, it takes A source for the PGM bus and B source for the PST bus and starts the processing to give an effect. In the editing method and apparatus according to the above-described embodiment, when video signals or audio signals reproduced from different recording media are connected with each other after being processed to give an effect and are recorded onto another recording medium, video signals and audio signals from different sources are easily combined and edited.

Claims: An automated editing method for editing video and audio signals automatically onto a recording medium, the method comprising at least the steps of: defining the start and end points of first (A), second (B) and further (C) signals to be reproduced from respective first, second and third playback media and recorded on the same recording medium, said first and second signals being one of video and audio signals, said further signal being the other of said video and audio signals; automatically synchronizing the start point (A in ) of the first reproduced signal (A(V)) to a first reference time (R in ) of said recording medium; automatically synchronizing the end point (A out ) of said first reproduced signal and the start point (B in ) of the second reproduced signal (B(V)) to a second reference time (E start ) of said recording medium thereby defining a first duration (A dur ) between the start and end points of said first reproduced signal (A), the second reference (E start ) time being later in time than said first reference time (R in ); automatically synchronizing the end point (B out ) of said second reproduced signal to a third reference time (R out ) of said recording medium thereby defining a second duration (B dur ) between the start and end points of said second reproduced signal, the third reference time (R out ) being later in time than said second reference time (E start ); automatically synchronizing the start point (C in ) of the further reproduced signal (C(A)) to said first reference time (R in ) of said recording medium; automatically synchronizing the end point (C out ) of said further reproduced signal to said third reference time (R out ) of said recording medium thereby defining a third duration (C dur ) between the start and end points of said further reproduced signal; automatically setting the end point of said first reproduced signal (A out ) and said start point of said second reproduced signal (B in ) such that a sum of said first (A dur ) and second (B dur ) durations equals the third duration (C dur ) of said further reproduced signal; sequentially delivering said first (A) and second (B) reproduced signals to said recording medium as a function of said first (R in ), second (E start ) and third (R out ) reference times such that said first reproduced signal (A) is delivered from said first reference time (R in ) substantially until said second reference time (E start ) and said second reproduced signal (B in ) is delivered substantially from said second reference time (E start ) until said third reference time (R out ); delivering said further reproduced signal (C) to said recording medium concurrently with the sequential delivery of said first (A) and second (B) reproduced signals so that said further reproduced signal (C) is delivered from said first reference time (R in ) until said third reference time (R out ); and recording said first (A) and second (B) reproduced signals simultaneously with said further reproduced signal (C) onto said recording medium. An automated editing apparatus for editing video and audio signals automatically onto a recording medium comprising: first (1), second (2) and further (3, 4) reproducing means for reproducing first (A), second (B) and further (C) signals from respective playback media; the first and second (A, B) signals being one of video and audio signals the further (C) signal being the other of the said video and audio signals; recording means (7) for recording the first and second signals on the same recording medium, concurrently with the recording of the further signal on the said recording medium; first means (5) for sequentially delivering the first (A) and second (B) signals to the recording means (7); second means (6) for delivering the further signal (C) to the recording means (7); and control means (8) being operable to at least receive data defining the start and end points of the first, second and further signals to be reproduced and recorded on the recording medium, and to at least:- automatically synchronize the start point (A in ) of the first reproduced signal (A) to a first reference time (R in ) of said recording medium; automatically synchronize the end point (A out ) of said first reproduced signal (A) and the start point (B in ) of the second reproduced signal (B) to a second reference time (E start ) of said recording medium thereby defining a first duration (A dur ) between the start and end points of said first reproduced signal, the second reference time being later in time than said first reference time; automatically synchronize an end point (B out ) of said second reproduced signal (B) to a third reference time (R out ) of said recording medium thereby defining a second duration (B dur ) between the start and end points of said second reproduced signal, the third reference time being later in time than said second reference time; automatically synchronize a start point (C in ) of the further reproduced signal (C) to said first reference time (R in ) of said recording medium; automatically synchronize an end point (C out ) of said further reproduced signal (C) to said third reference time (R out ) of said recording medium thereby defining a third duration (C dur ) between the start and end points of said further reproduced signal; automatically set the end point of said first reproduced signal and said start point of said second reproduced signal such that a sum of said first and second durations equals the third duration of said further reproduced signal; control the first delivering means (5) to sequentially deliver said first and second reproduced signals to said recording means as a function of said first, second and third reference times such that said first reproduced signal is delivered from said first reference time substantially until said second reference time and said second reproduced signal is delivered substantially from said second reference time until said third reference time; and control the second delivering means (6) to deliver said further reproduced signal to said recording means for recording concurrently with the sequential delivery of said first and second reproduced signals so that said further reproduced signal is delivered from said first reference time until said third reference time. An editing method according to claim 1, wherein the said further signal comprises third and fourth signals and additionally comprising the steps of: defining the start and end points of the third and fourth signal (D) to be reproduced from a playback medium and recorded on the said recording medium the fourth signal being the said other of the video and audio signals; automatically synchronizing the end point of the third reproduced signal to said first reference time (R in ) of the recording medium; automatically synchronizing the end point of the third reproduced signal and the start point of the fourth reproduced signal to a fourth reference time of said recording medium the fourth reference time being later in time than said first reference time; automatically synchronizing the end part of the fourth signal to the said third reference time (R out ) of said recording medium, the said third reference time (R out ) being later in time than said fourth reference time; and sequentially delivering the said third and fourth signals to said recording medium concurrently with the sequential delivery of the said first and second signals so that the third and fourth signals are delivered from said first reference time (R in ) until said third reference time (R out ). Editing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the further reproducing means comprises a third reproducer (3) and a fourth reproducer (4), the second delivering means (6) is for sequentially delivering the third and fourth signals to the recording means, and the control means (8) is operable to: receive data defining the start and end points of third (C) and fourth (D) signals to be reproduced from respective playback media by the third and fourth reproducers (3, 4) and recorded on the said recording medium as the said further signal and to automatically synchronizing the end point of the third reproduced signal to said first reference time (R in ) of the recording medium; automatically synchronize the end point of the third reproduced signal and the start point of the fourth reproduced signal to a fourth reference time of said recording medium the fourth reference time being later in time than said first reference time; automatically synchronize the end part of the fourth signal to the said third reference time (R out ) of said recording medium, the said third reference time (R out ) being later in time than said fourth reference time; and control the second delivering means to deliver the said third and fourth signals to said recording medium concurrently with the sequential delivery of the said first and second signals so that the third and fourth signals are delivered from said first reference time (R in ) until said third reference time (R out ).

Inventors: MATSUI MASAFUMI, YAMAMOTO TOMOYUKI, MATSUI, MASAFUMI, YAMAMOTO, TOMOYUKI, Matsui, Masafumi, c/o Intellectual Property Div., Yamamoto, Tomoyuki, c/o Intellectual Property Div.
Applicants: SONY CORP, SONY CORPORATION
Application year: 1993
Main classification: G11B27
IPC codes: G11B27, H04N5, H04N9