A multi-format digital video production system enables a user to process
an input video program to produce an output version of the program in a
final format which may have a different frame rate, pixel dimensions, or
both. An internal production format of 24 fps is preferably chosen to
provide the greatest compatibility with existing and planned formats
associated with HDTV standard 4:3 or widescreen 16:9 high-definition
television, and film. Images are re-sized horizontally and vertically by
pixel interpolation, thereby producing larger or smaller image dimensions
so as to fill the particular needs of individual applications. Frame
rates are adapted by inter-frame interpolation or by traditional schemes,
including "3:2 pull-down" for 24-to-30 fps conversions. Simple speed-up
(for 24-to-25 conversions) or slow-down (for 25-to-24 conversions) for
playback, or by manipulating the frame rate itself using a program
storage facility with asynchronous reading and writing capabilities. The
step of converting the signal to a HDTV format is preferably performed
using a modified upconversion process for wideband signals (utilizing a
higher sampling clock frequency) and a resizing to HDTV format frame
dimensions in pixels.