Video editing apparatus, video editing method, and data storage medium for a video editing program

A video editing method, comprising:

• a scene information input step for inputting scene information, where a scene is a plurality of consecutive frames extracted from an edit stream;
• a re-encoding target picture step for selecting as target pictures for re-encoding the smallest number of pictures that must be re-encoded for the scene to be independently reproducible;
• a stream structure data generating step for generating structure information for a stream in a range containing a target picture and an intra-coded picture referenced for coding the target picture;
• a buffer fullness calculating step for calculating, from stream structure data, buffer fullness at a target picture boundary to a recycled picture not requiring re-encoding;
• a re-encoding range code allocation calculating step for calculating a code allocation to a re-encoding range based on buffer fullness and target picture count, said re-encoding range being one or a plurality of target pictures near an edit point between scenes;
• a re-encoding target picture target code size calculating step for calculating a code allocation to each target picture based on the re-encoding range code allocation, target picture count, and picture type after re-encoding;
• and
• a scene linking step for connecting scenes and producing a new stream.

A data storage medium having a computer readable instructions recorded thereon, the computer readable instructions including instructions capable of instructing a computer to:

• input scene information, where a scene is a plurality of consecutive frames extracted from an edit stream;
• select, as target pictures for re-encoding, the smallest number of pictures that must be re-encoded for the scene to be independently reproducible;
• generate structure information for a stream in a range containing a target picture and an intra-coded picture referenced for coding the target picture;
• calculate, from stream structure data, buffer fullness at a target picture boundary to a recycled picture not requiring re-encoding;
• calculate a code allocation to a re-encoding range based on buffer fullness and target picture count, said re-encoding range being one or a plurality of target pictures near an edit point between scenes;
• calculate a code allocation to each target picture based on the re-encoding range code allocation, target picture count, and picture type after re-encoding;
• and
• connect scenes and produce a new stream.