Broadcast control

A broadcast control apparatus for the recording and replay of visual data, the apparatus comprising:

• a touch screen display panel operable to simultaneously playback more than one stream of visual data from a storage unit, the visual data sourced from a plurality of visual sources;
• a touch screen graphical panel for the retrieval of control functions from a control function register;
• and
• a control panel in communication with the touch screen panels, the control panel including a plurality of programmable keys, each one of which is able to be programmed to retrieve a control function;
• whereby playback of visual data from the storage unit is able to be modified in accordance with a retrieved control function.

A system for broadcast control comprising:

• a first apparatus comprising a touch screen display panel operable to receive and display visual data simultaneously in real-time from the plurality of visual sources;
• and a touch screen graphical panel for the retrieval of control functions from a control function register;
• whereby visual data from at least one of the visual sources is selectable for use by finger pressure on the associated portion of the touch screen display panel and the selected data is modifiable in accordance with a retrieved control function;
• a storage unit for storing visual data from the plurality of visual sources;
• a second apparatus comprising a touch screen display panel operable to simultaneously playback more than one stream of visual data from the storage unit and to produce an output;
• a touch screen graphical panel for the retrieval of control functions from a control function register;
• and a control panel in communication with the touch screen panels, the control panel including a plurality of programmable keys, each one of which is able to be programmed with a retrieved digital video effect;
• whereby playback of visual data from the storage unit is able to be modified in accordance with a retrieved control function;
• whereby the first apparatus is operable to edit selected modified data with output from the second apparatus for transmission.

A method for broadcast control comprising the steps of storing control functions in a control function register;

• displaying on a touch screen display panel of a first apparatus visual data simultaneously in real-time from a plurality of visual sources;
• a first operator
• selecting visual data from at least one of the visual sources by finger pressure on the associated portion of the touch screen display panel of the first apparatus;
• the first operator
• retrieving a control function from the control function register;
• and the first operator
• modifying the selected visual data with the retrieved control function to produce a first output and cueing the first output for transmission.