Media editor for non-linear editing system

Abstract

A non-linear editing system for home audio and video applications includes a compression/decompression engine, a high capacity storage device and a media editor that provides point and click audio and video editing functionality, including recording, playback and special effects, such as real time gamma correction, color effects, 2D effects and real time fades, using a time-line system. The media editor includes a configurable Shaped Cut, Relocate, Alpha and Mixer (SCRAM) engine to mix, shape cut and relocate portions of images. In addition, the SCRAM engine supports pixel weighting to enable drawing and movement of transparent objects for video overlay operations. The compression/decompression engine includes electronic circuitry designed to implement high speed data compression and decompression using JPEG, MPEG or wavelet techniques. The high capacity storage device typically comprises internal and external non-linear magnetic storage devices, such as Enhanced IDE or SCSI hard drives, although other non-linear storage devices, such as magneto-optical or optical disk drives may be used. Similarly, the system includes input/output (I/O) capability for video in composite NTSC or formats including SVHS resolutions, analog and digital stereo audio in 16-bit CD format, multimedia inputs, such as clip art and synchronized audio/video, from CD-ROMs and DVDs, a Musical Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) and Internet connectivity through standard telephone lines using a modem and through cable TV lines. The system does not require the use of a computing device, such as a personal computer, to perform its non-linear editing functions.