Wide-band multi-format audio/video production system with frame-rate conversion

A method for converting the format of a video program, comprising:

• receiving or retrieving compressed video content comprising a video program in an original compressed format;
• decompressing the compressed video content to generate uncompressed video content in an internal format having a frame rate of 24 frames per second (fps) comprising progressive frames of pixel image data having an original pixel resolution;
• buffering progressive frames of pixel image data in a high-capacity memory buffer supporting asynchronous random read and write access;
• processing the progressive frames of pixel image data in the buffered progressive frames to perform a frame-rate conversion from 24 fps to a higher output frame rate to produce progressive frames of converted video content having an uncompressed format;
• and
• storing the progressive frames of converted video content in a compressed video format to produce a converted video program having a converted frame rate in accordance with the higher output frame rate,
• wherein the converted video content of the converted video program is configured to be processed by a video playback apparatus to generate a digital HDTV video signal configured to display the converted video program on an HDTV at the higher output frame rate, and wherein the digital HDTV video signal is a progressive signal having a pixel resolution of at least 1920×1080 pixels.