Apparatus for digitally encoding a television signal

Abstract

An apparatus and method for digitally encoding an NTSC color television signal in a manner that facilitates comb filtering of the digitally encoded signal. In accordance with the invention there is provided a means for generating a first sampling signal having a characteristic frequency of three times the NTSC color subcarrier signal. Another means is provided for generating a second sampling signal having the same characteristic frequency, this second sampling signal having its sampling reference points interspersed equally in time between the sampling reference points of the first sampling signal. Enabling means, responsive to the NTSC color television signal, are provided for alternately enabling the first and second sampling signals during successive horizontal scanlines of the television signal. Further provided is a means, responsive to the enabled sampling signal, for sampling the television signal. Finally, means are provided for converting the sampled television signal into digital form. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first and second sampling signals are opposite phases of a square wave at 10.74 MHz.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.