Automatic video format identification system

Abstract

A video format identification system includes a master clock circuit which provides timing and counting signals, a synchronization activity detector operatively coupled to the master clock circuit, and a synchronization width qualifier configured to filter out noise or reference burst signals from showing up as sync signals. The system also includes a synchronization detector which regulates the rate of the incoming sync signal, a color burst sampler providing a window for sampling a reference color burst after the sync signal has occurred, and a color burst detector which looks for at least three transitions from a burst signal before it qualifies the as an appropriate reference color burst. A format sample timer generates sample clock signals. A format sample counter produces “take format” signals which are utilized by a set of format counter. The system further includes a video format identifier which enables a particular video format to be directed to a respective video connector.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A video format identification system for identifying a video format of a received video signal from a plurality of possible video formats comprising a plurality of component video signals, comprising:
 synchronization and reference burst signal detection circuitry configured to detect synchronization and reference burst signals in said plurality of component video signals;   video format identification circuitry operatively coupled to said synchronization and reference burst signal detection circuitry configured to identify a format of said video signal dependent on a detected presence of said synchronization and reference burst signals in one or more of said component video signals;   video signal routing circuitry coupled to respective output connectors and configured to receive said component video signals and automatically route said component video signals to an appropriate one or more of said output connectors depending on said format of said video signal identified by said video format identification circuitry.   
     
     
         2 . The video format identification system of  claim 1 , wherein said video format identification circuitry comprises logic circuitry configured to identify said format of said video signal. 
     
     
         3 . The video format identification system of  claim 2 , wherein said logic circuitry comprises a Complex Programmable Logic Device (CPLD). 
     
     
         4 . The video format identification system of  claim 1  further comprising an input connector for connecting to a multi-pair cable. 
     
     
         5 . The video format identification system of  claim 4  wherein said input connector comprises pins for connecting to a plurality of cable pairs of said multi-pair cable. 
     
     
         6 . A method for identifying a format of a video signal from a plurality of possible formats comprising the steps of:
 transmitting a video signal comprising a plurality of component video signals, at least one of said component video signals comprising a synchronization signal and at least one of said component video signals comprising a reference burst signal;   receiving said plurality of component video signals;   identifying each of said plurality of component video signals that comprises a synchronization signal;   identifying each of said plurality of component video signals that comprises a reference burst signal;   identifying said format of said video signal from an identity of each of said plurality of component video signals that comprises and synchronization signal and an identity of each of said plurality of component video signals that comprises a reference burst signal.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein each of said component video signals is transmitted over a respective pair of a multi-pair cable. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein said multi-pair cable comprises a plurality of twisted pairs.