Video image compositing techniques

Abstract

A method of processing video data created for display in one aspect ratio in a plurality of different sequences of frames thereof, each frame in a sequence containing background data which represents at least a part of the same relatively stationary background data in the sequence. The background data in each frame of a sequence is stored and processed so as to produce combined background data representing the background image in the sequence in a different aspect ratio, without the presence of moving objects therein. Data representing moving objects in each frame of a sequence are stored together with selected portions of the background data which surround the moving objects in each frame. The data representing moving objects in each frame are correctly positioned in the combined background data, which is used for each frame of the sequence, by matching the selected portion of the background data surrounding the moving objects with corresponding portions of the combined background data to determine the correct positions of the moving objects in the background image. The background data and the matching portions of the moving objects are composited in accordance with such correct position determination to form a composite image for each frame in which the moving objects are correctly positioned in the combined background image.

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