JP2007124275A - Picture output device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a picture reproducer which allows the aspect ratio to be more easily set. <P>SOLUTION: A CPU 18 decides whether the setting of the aspect ratio has been saved in a setting saver 34 when detecting a television 50 at a reproduction mode. If the setting has been saved, it loads the setting to output a reproduced picture on a display 28 and the television 50 in a format conformed to setting contents. If the setting is completed, the CPU 18 actuates a test pattern generator 32 to generate a test pattern signal, feeds the display 28 and the television 50 with it to request a user to check whether the aspect ratio of a display picture on the television 50 is correct, and outputs a reproduced picture with checked contents on the display 28 and the television 50. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a video output device that can output a plurality of aspect ratio videos, and more specifically, a video output that outputs an appropriate video signal to an external output device such as a television according to the aspect ratio of the video source. Relates to the device.

  In addition to conventional video having an aspect ratio of 4: 3, a television capable of receiving and displaying wider video, for example, video having an aspect ratio of 16: 9, which is the same as that of Hi-Vision (trademark), using the NTSC (National Television Standards Committee) system Has become widespread. In addition, in the field of video cameras, video cameras capable of recording and reproducing images with an aspect ratio of 16: 9 or the like in addition to a normal aspect ratio of 4: 3 have appeared (Patent Document 1).

  There is a DV (digital video) video camera that records video with an aspect ratio of 4: 3. When a 16: 9 wide video is recorded by the DV system, letterbox recording and squeeze recording are generally used. As shown in FIG. 8, letterbox recording is a method in which a black band is added to the top and bottom of a 16: 9 wide image and recording is performed with an aspect ratio of 4: 3. In addition, squeeze recording is a method in which a 16: 9 wide video is compressed in the left-right direction and recorded at an aspect ratio of 4: 3, as shown in FIG.

  When a letterbox-recorded video is displayed on a 16: 9 wide TV, if it is played in the same manner as a normal 4: 3 video, the image is displayed small as shown in FIG. Depending on the display device, this video is enlarged and displayed so as to fit on the entire screen as shown in FIG. In addition, when a squeeze recorded video is displayed as it is, a horizontally compressed video is obtained. However, a display device having a horizontally long screen with an aspect ratio of 16: 9 can display a squeeze video from an aspect ratio of 4: 3 to 16: 9. In other words, the image is displayed horizontally. As a result, the subject is displayed with the correct dimensions.

  Thus, in order for the display device to display an image with a preferable aspect ratio in accordance with the input video signal, the display device needs to be able to identify the recording method. In the DV system, information indicating letterbox recording / squeeze recording is also recorded and reproduced on a magnetic tape.

  As a method of transmitting the video aspect ratio from the playback apparatus to the display apparatus, there is a method of superimposing an aspect ratio identification signal on the video signal and transmitting it. One of the methods is a method of superimposing an aspect ratio identification signal called an ID-1 signal in the vertical blanking period of the luminance signal (Y) of the NTSC system. This method is defined as “Identification signal of video signal having different aspect ratio and its transmission method (II)” by Japan Electronic Machinery Manufacturers Association (EIAJ).

Another method is a method of superimposing a DC voltage of a predetermined level in order to identify the aspect ratio on the color signal (C) of the S terminal. Similarly, “identification signal of video signal having different aspect ratio and transmission method thereof” ”.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 06-334961

  A conventional video camera has a function of setting an aspect ratio, but the aspect ratio setting value is not saved. As a result, if the video is not correctly displayed on the television, the user has to set the aspect ratio each time. This is a burden on the user and is troublesome.

  Also, televisions manufactured before the aspect ratio identification information transmission method is specified cannot display video at the specified aspect ratio.

  In view of the above-described problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a video playback apparatus that can set an aspect ratio more easily.

  In order to achieve the above object, an imaging device according to the present invention is a video output device that outputs a video signal to an external video display device, and a video signal generating unit capable of generating a plurality of video signals having different aspect ratios. Connection means for connecting to the external video display device; test pattern generation means for generating a test pattern video for confirming whether or not video is displayed at a desired aspect ratio on the external video display device; And a control means for generating a test pattern video by the test pattern generating means in response to a trigger and outputting the test pattern video to the external video display device.

  According to the present invention, since the aspect ratio is confirmed by the test pattern, the aspect ratio can be compared, and the burden on the user can be reduced.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a digital video camera which is an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a digital video camera 10 includes an image pickup unit 12, a signal processing unit 14, a frame memory 16, a CPU (central processing unit) 18, a DV codec 20, a tape I / F (interface) 22, a DV tape 24, an operation. A unit 26, a display unit 28, a video output terminal 30, a test pattern generation unit 32, and a setting storage unit 34.

  The imaging unit 12 includes an imaging element made up of a CCD sensor or a CMOS sensor, and a lens that forms a subject image on the imaging surface of the imaging element. The signal processing unit 14 has functions of AGC (automatic gain control), gamma conversion, and A / D conversion, performs known processing on the image signal from the imaging unit 12, and converts the analog image signal into a digital signal. The frame memory 16 buffers the image data from the signal processing unit 14.

  The CPU 18 controls the entire digital video camera 10. The DV codec 20 includes an MPEG circuit or a Motion JPEG circuit for moving image compression, and compresses and encodes image data. The DV codec 20 also includes a JPEG circuit for still image compression. The tape I / F 22 is an interface of the DV tape 24, and includes a rotating drum and a magnetic head. The DV tape 24 is a recording medium for recording digital data, and is composed of a magnetic tape.

  The operation unit 26 includes a playback switch, a stop switch, an imaging switch, and the like, and is used to instruct the CPU 18 to perform playback, stop, imaging, and the like of the digital video camera 10.

  The display unit 28 includes a liquid crystal panel (not shown), and can display a captured image of the imaging unit 12 and an image reproduced from the DV tape 24. The display unit 28 displays a menu screen including an aspect ratio setting screen.

  The video output terminal 30 is connected to the television 50, and the test pattern generated by the test pattern generation unit 32 can be output from the video output terminal 30 to the television 50. The television 50 displays the same video as the display unit 28. The setting storage unit 34 stores output video signal setting information for an external display device such as the television 50.

  A recording operation and a reproducing operation of the digital video camera 10 will be described. In the imaging mode, the imaging unit 12 outputs an image signal of the subject. The output image signal of the imaging unit 12 is written into the frame memory 16 via the signal processing unit 14. The image stored in the frame memory 16 is periodically read and applied to the display unit 28. The user can confirm the subject to be photographed by looking at the image displayed on the display unit 28.

  When the user presses the imaging switch, the CPU 18 reads out the image data stored in the memory 16 and applies it to the DV codec 20. In the case of a moving image, the DV codec 20 sequentially compresses and encodes the frame or field image written in the memory 16 using the MPEG method or the Motion JPEG method. In the case of a still image, the DV codec 20 compresses and encodes an image stored in the memory 16 using the JPEG method. The image data compressed by the DV codec 20 is recorded on the DV tape 24 by the tape 22.

  When the user presses the playback switch in the playback mode, the compressed image data is read from the DV tape 24 via the tape I / F 22 and transferred to the DV codec 20. The DV codec 20 decompresses the compressed image data read from the DV tape 24 and stores it in the frame memory 16. The reproduced image stored in the frame memory 16 is periodically read out and applied to the display unit 28. The display unit 28 displays a reproduced image. When the television 50 is connected to the video output terminal 30, the television 50 also displays a reproduced image.

  Next, the operation of the setting storage unit 34, which is a feature of this embodiment, will be described. FIG. 2 shows a flowchart of a control flow of the CPU 18 that is activated when the connection to the output I / F 30 of the external display device, in this embodiment, the television 50 is detected in the reproduction state. That is, when the playback switch is pressed in the playback mode, playback of the recorded video on the DV tape is started. When the television 50 is connected to the video output terminal 30 in this reproduction state, the CPU 18 detects this connection and activates the control flow shown in FIG. Of course, when the television 50 is connected to the video output terminal 30 before the reproduction is started, the CPU 18 activates the control flow shown in FIG.

  It is checked whether or not information related to the aspect ratio for the television 50 connected to the video output terminal 30 is stored in the setting storage unit 34 (S10). If the information is stored (S10), the CPU 18 sets the setting storage unit 34. The setting contents stored in the are taken in (S11).

  When the information regarding the aspect ratio for the connected television 50 is not stored in the setting storage unit 34 (S10), playback from the DV tape 24 is temporarily stopped (S16), and the user is prompted to set the aspect ratio (S13). ). The detailed operation of step S13 will be described later.

  After the setting by the user, a screen as shown in FIG. 3 is displayed on the display unit 28 and / or the television 50, and the user is inquired whether to save the setting contents (S14). When the user selects saving (S14), the setting contents are saved in the setting saving unit 34 (S15), and playback from the DV tape 24 is resumed (S16). The reproduction from the DV tape 24 is resumed as it is (S16).

  After steps S11 and S16, the playback video is output from the video output terminal 30 in the video format (format) corresponding to the set content (S17).

  If the aspect ratio or recording format of the video reproduced from the DV tape 24 has changed (S18), step S12 and the subsequent steps are repeated to have the user reset the aspect ratio. This is the case, for example, when the aspect ratio changes from 4: 3 to 16: 9 or vice versa and when the 16: 9 wide video recording format changes from letterbox to squeeze or vice versa. In these cases, since the setting information stored in the setting storage unit 34 cannot be used, the process returns to step S12 and the user selects appropriate setting contents.

  Next, detailed operation of the aspect ratio setting (S18) will be described. In this embodiment, the same video signal (aspect ratio test pattern signal) as shown in FIG. 6 is applied to both the display unit 28 and the television 50, and the user observes each display video, Ask the television 50 to check whether an image with the correct aspect ratio is displayed. The confirmation result is reflected in the setting stored in the external setting unit 34.

  FIG. 4 shows a detailed flowchart of aspect ratio setting (S13) when reproducing a squeeze-recorded video signal.

  If the recording format is squeeze recording, a squeeze identification signal indicating squeeze recording is superimposed on the video signal reproduced from the DV tape 24. The CPU 18 generates an aspect ratio test pattern with the squeeze identification signal turned on from the test pattern generation device 32 (S30). The CPU 18 switches from the reproduced video signal to the test pattern signal as shown in FIG. 6 as shown in FIG. 5, and displays the test pattern signal on both the display unit 28 and the television 50 (S31).

  If the television 50 supports squeeze recording, the same image is displayed on the television 50 with the same aspect ratio as the display unit 28. For example, in the state where the video as shown in FIG. 5 is reproduced and displayed, the video aspect ratio test pattern signal as shown in FIG. 6 is displayed on both the display unit 28 and the display 50.

  The user looks at the screen of the aspect ratio test pattern signal displayed on the display unit 28 and the television 50, and determines whether the display of the television 50 is correct (S32). Then, “Yes” or “No” is selected with a predetermined switch of the operation unit 26 at hand, and input to the CPU 18.

  If the display of the television 50 is correct, the output of the aspect ratio test pattern is stopped and the display returns to the display of the reproduced video (S33). If the display on the television 50 is not correct, the CPU 18 changes the video output format to the letterbox format (S34), stops outputting the aspect ratio test pattern, and displays the original reproduced video (FIG. 5). Return (S33). That is, when the display of the television 50 is correct, the video camera 10 outputs the squeeze recording playback video as it is, and when the display of the television 50 is incorrect, the video camera 10 sends the playback video of the squeeze recording to the letter. Convert to box format and output.

  FIG. 7 shows a detailed flowchart of the aspect ratio setting (S13) when the video signal of letterbox recording is reproduced.

  The CPU 18 generates an aspect ratio test pattern with the letterbox identification signal turned on from the test pattern generation device 32 (S40). This test pattern signal is applied to both the display unit 28 and the television 50 and displayed (S41).

  The user looks at the screen of the aspect ratio test pattern signal displayed on the display unit 28 and the television 50, and determines whether the display of the television 50 is correct (S42). Then, “Yes” or “No” is selected with a predetermined switch of the operation unit 26 at hand, and input to the CPU 18.

  If the display of the television 50 is correct, the output of the aspect ratio test pattern signal is stopped and the display returns to the display of the reproduced video (S43). If the display on the television 50 is not correct, the CPU 18 displays a message prompting the setting change of the television 50 on the display unit 28 and / or the television 50 for a predetermined time (S44), and outputs an aspect ratio test pattern. And return to the display of the original reproduced video (S43). That is, regardless of whether or not the display of the television 50 is correct, the video camera 10 outputs the playback image of the letterbox recording as it is, and when the display of the television 50 is not correct, the video camera 10 is set to the television 50 setting. Entrust.

  Although the television 50 is exemplified as the external video display device, a video monitor may be used.

  In the present embodiment, since the setting value is stored in the setting storage unit 34, it is possible to reduce the trouble of manually setting each time the connection is made. At the first time, the aspect ratio of the digital video camera 10 and the television 50 must be set. However, since the setting value of the aspect ratio is stored in the setting storage unit 34 after the second time, troublesome setting is required. It can be omitted.

It is a schematic block diagram of one Example of this invention. It is a flowchart of the main operation | movement of a present Example. It is an example of a setting preservation | save screen. It is a flowchart of the aspect-ratio setting with respect to squeeze recording. It is an example of a playback screen. It is an example of a display confirmation screen. It is a flowchart of the aspect-ratio setting with respect to squeeze recording. It is an image figure of letterbox recording. It is an image figure of squeeze recording. This is a display example in which an image with an aspect ratio of 4: 3 is displayed with an aspect ratio of 16: 9 during letterbox recording.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Digital video camera 12 Image pick-up part 14 Signal processing part 16 Frame memory 18 CPU (central processing unit)
20 DV codec 22 Tape I / F
24 DV tape 26 Operation unit 28 Display unit 30 Video output terminal 32 Test pattern generation unit 34 Setting storage unit 50 Television

Claims (7)

A video output device that outputs a video signal to an external video display device,
Video signal generating means capable of generating a plurality of video signals having different aspect ratios;
Connection means for connecting to the external video display device;
Test pattern generating means for generating a test pattern image for confirming whether or not the image is displayed at a desired aspect ratio in the external image display device;
A video output device comprising: control means for generating a test pattern video by the test pattern generation means in response to a predetermined trigger and outputting the test pattern video to the external video display device. Furthermore, it has connection detection means for detecting that the external video display device is connected to the connection means,
2. The video output device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined trigger is detection of connection of the external video display device to the connection unit by the connection detection unit.   The video output device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined trigger is a change in an aspect ratio of a video to be output to the external video display device.   2. The video output apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined trigger is a change in a recording format of a video signal being output to the external video display apparatus. Furthermore, it has a reproducing means for reproducing the video signal from the recording medium,
The control means outputs the test pattern and suspends the reproduction of the video signal from the recording medium when the connection with the external video display device is detected during the reproduction of the video signal recorded on the recording medium. The video output device according to claim 2, wherein the video output device is a video output device. In addition, it has a display that can display video and menu screens,
The control means displays a menu screen on the display unit when the test pattern is output, and allows the user to check whether or not a video is displayed in a desired aspect ratio on the external video display device and to select on the menu screen. 5. The video output device according to claim 2, wherein video output setting for the external video display device is performed according to the selected result. Furthermore, it has video output setting recording means for holding video output setting information,
The control means records the setting information in the video output setting recording means after performing the video output setting, and detects the setting information from the video output setting recording means when the output to the external device is detected again. The video output apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the video output setting is performed by reading out the video data.

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