Video card with interchangeable connector module

An interchangeable video output module comprising:

• a buffer configured to store a post-processed video signal;
• an ancillary data injector configured to insert ancillary data into the post-processed video signal;
• one or more processors configured to convert the post-processed video signal and produce a formatted video signal, the formatted video signal being an analog composite video signal, an analog component video signal, a serial digital composite video signal, a serial digital component video signal, a parallel digital composite video signal, or a parallel digital component video signal;
• a transmitter configured to transmit the formatted video signal;
• a connector to provide a physical and communicative coupling between the one or more processors and a video processing module effective to:
• enable the one or more processors to receive the post-processed video signal from the video processing module, wherein the video processing module is configured to post-process a video signal and produce the post-processed video signal;
• and
• enable the interchangeable video output module to be interchanged with one or more other interchangeable video output modules,
• wherein the interchangeable video output module comprises an integral module, and the video processing module comprises an integral module, wherein the interchangeable video output module is separate from the video processing module;
• and
• wherein the interchangeable video output module is configured to detachably couple to the video processing module;
• and
• a specific configuration, the one or more processors being configured to set characteristics of the video processing module based on the specific configuration, the one or more processors being configured to send a signal to the video processing module effective to inform the video processing module of the specific configuration;
• and
• wherein a first type of video output module is configured to produce an analog composite video signal, a second type of video output module is configured to produce an analog component video signal, a third type of video output module is configured to produce a serial digital composite video signal, a fourth type of video output module is configured to produce a serial digital component video signal, a fifth type of video output module is configured to produce a parallel digital composite video signal, and a sixth type of video output module is configured to produce a parallel digital component video signal.

A video output system for producing video signals, the system comprising:

• a video processing means for post-processing a video signal and producing a post-processed video signal;
• a receiver means for receiving the video signal from one or more of:
• a storage medium, a graphics processor, or a video input system;
• one or more interchangeable video output means for outputting a formatted video signal, each interchangeable video output means having:
• a buffer means for receiving and storing the post-processed video signal from the video processing means;
• a processing means for:
• converting the post-processed video signal into a formatted video signal;
• and
• informing the video processing means of a specific configuration of said interchangeable video output means effective to set one or more characteristics of the video processing means;
• an insertion means for inserting auxiliary data into the post-processed video signal;
• and
• a transmitter means for transmitting the formatted video signal;
• and
• a connecting means for detachably coupling each interchangeable video output means to the video processing means effective to enable each interchangeable video output means to receive the post processed video signal, wherein the video processing means is a Peripheral Component Interconnect circuit board and each interchangeable video output means is a daughterboard, wherein a first type of interchangeable video output means is configured to produce an analog composite video signal, a second type of interchangeable video output means is configured to produce an analog component video signal, a third type of interchangeable video output means is configured to produce a serial digital composite video signal, a fourth type of interchangeable video output means is configured to produce a serial digital component video signal, a fifth type of interchangeable video output means is configured to produce a parallel digital composite video signal, and a sixth type of interchangeable video output means is configured to produce a parallel digital component video signal.

A method comprising:

• receiving a video signal from one or more of:
• a storage medium;
• a video graphics processor;
• or
• a video input system;
• post-processing the video signal to produce a post-processed video signal;
• and
• transmitting the post-processed video signal for receipt by one or more interchangeable video output modules, wherein each said interchangeable video output module is configured to convert the post-processed video signal to produce a formatted video signal, wherein each interchangeable video output module is configured to detachably couple to a video processing module that is performing the method, wherein a first type of interchangeable video output module is configured to produce an analog composite video signal, a second type of interchangeable video output module is configured to produce an analog component video signal, a third type of interchangeable video output module is configured to produce a serial digital composite video signal, a fourth type of interchangeable video output module is configured to produce a serial digital component video signal, a fifth type of interchangeable video output module is configured to produce a parallel digital composite video signal, and a sixth type of interchangeable video output module is configured to produce a parallel digital component video signal.