Disk use scheduling and non-linear video editing systems

A method and apparatus for Disk Scheduling and Non-Linear Video Editing includes the processing of simultaneous read requests and write requests of a storage device in the presence of real time requirements that are associated with these requests. The method includes constructing a storage device data structure with a plurality of partitions (56-59) that correspond to a plurality of seek paths, with the storage device data structure storing both read and write requests. The read requests (42) are assigned read request deadlines (44) based at least in part on a user desired response time for handling the read requests. The write requests (46) are assigned write request deadlines (48) based at least in part on the capacity of the write buffer. The write buffer (34) stores data associated with write requests until the data is written to the storage device. The read and write requests are placed within the storage device data structure based at least in part on the read request deadlines (44) and write request deadlines (48), such that a optimal seek path is maintained for each of the plurality of partitions (56-59) while minimizing violations of the read request deadlines (44) and write request deadlines (48). The invention may be applicable for use as a storage device access scheduler of the supporting video on demand and non-linear editing of a storage device in the presence of real time requirements that are associated with the read requests and write requests of video on demand and non-linear editing.