Method and apparatus for selectively deleting during video tape recording

Abstract

A technique is provided for deleting those portions of a video program which are in color, thereby allowing a monochrome movie or the like to be continuously recorded on video tape without interruption. Since station breaks and commercials are almost invariably in color, the automatic deletion of the color portions of a broadcast serve to effectively delete those portions of the broadcast which are not the desired monochrome movie or other monochrome broadcast. The disclosure is applicable for use in conjunction with a video tape recorder having a pause mode of operation. The presence of color burst is detected in received television signals. Means responsive to the detection of color burst are provided for generating a deleting signal. The deleting signal is then used to activate the pause mode of the video tape recorder. A further disclosed feature prevents undue video tape recorder head wear and tape wear by preventing the video tape recorder from remaining in the pause mode for an indefinite period if and when the broadcasting station returns to color programming.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.