Sony Corporation

Sony United Kingdom Limited

David J Walton

Robin L Lince

Brian M Sowerby

For synchronising the operation of first and second video devices referenced by respective timecodes and operable at different video rates in response to first and second timing references where the first video rate is a m/n times the second video rate, a predetermined phase relationship is established between the first timecodes from the first video device and second reference signals for the second video device and then target timecodes for synchronising the second video device are derived from the first timecodes and the second reference signals. In a first embodiment second timing reference signals are generated with a fixed, repeatable phase relationship with respect to the first timecodes by resetting the timing of the second timing reference signals in response to a first timecode which, when divided by m, gives a predetermined remainder. In a second embodiment a phase relationship between internally generated first and second reference signals is determined and then the first video device is synchronised with the first reference signals.

Apparatus for synchronizing the operation of video devices

A television signal equipment assignment matrix comprises a plurality of ports respectively connected to video tape recorders and to edit controllers for the video tape recorders, passive switches for effecting connection between a selected two of the ports under control of an externally supplied control signal from an operator's control panel whereby an appropriate such control signal can cause a selected edit controller to be connected to a selected video tape recorder to enable it to be controlled by that edit controller and for commands and status reports to pass therebetween, a further switch for cyclically or randomly tapping the connections between the video tape recorders and the edit controllers to derive the commands and status reports, and a display for displaying indications in dependence on the derived commands and status reports and the physical connections made between the video tape recorders and the edit controllers.

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Basingstoke, United Kingdom

David J Walton