Video editing system having virtual memory

A virtual memory system for a video editor is disclosed which permits edited material from discrete takes to be electronically spliced in real time to form edited scenes. Typically, a plurality of cameras take film of originally acted scenes, either simultaneously from different angles or sequentially of differing takes of the same scene material replayed by skilled film actors. The film material is thereafter recorded from all uncut takes to a random access memory, prefer­ably a DRAW laser video disk. An intelligent interface -- preferably a microprocessor -- connects at least two and preferably three laser disks heads for reading the video frames of the same uncut takes. Each disk head is provided with and reads the identical disk material containing identical unedited takes. An intelligent interface addresses a video disk head to randomly access the uncut takes and cause playing at controlled speeds forwardly, backwardly or still frame. A con­trolling computer addresses the intelligent interface and maintains and immediately updates a frame address list of edited takes including the first frame address of each take, and the last frame address of each take. All takes are maintained in the specified serial order of the edited scene. For immediate review at any time of an edited scene, the controlling computer commands the intelligent interface to play the current edited take and positions one player on the first frame of the next sequential take -- this frame being the first frame of the next take in forward motion or the last frame of the previous take for reverse motion. Conse­quently, the computer through a connected controller can electronically edit and immediately thereafter replay in real time the edited takes as if a compiled and spliced film were being made in real time with the system. Provision is made to take the finally edited frame list and in two steps construct an assembled work or final print. First each film reel is run through a film synchronizer and stopped responsive to frame address signals to remove from the film precisely the edits takes. Thereafter, and once the takes are removed from all film, the virtual memory edit list is used to assemble the takes in their now specified order. Thus a fully edited work print or final print may be constructed utilizing the video edited virtual memory list.