REAL-TIME EDIT CONTROL FOR VIDEO PROGRAM MATERIAL

摘要

A system and method for editing program material provide viewers with real-t ime editing control. Digital program material are divided into relatively short segments and each of these segments are rated to indicate a level of potentially obje ctionable material contained therein. Each segment is tagged to indicate this rating. Prior to viewing the program material, or during playback of the program material, th e viewer determines the rating level at which he or she wishes to view the pro grammaterial. This rating level is entered into the play back system. Upon playback, the system examines the tag of each segment to determine whether that segment sh ouldbe played. If a segment is tagged to indicate a rati ng with a higher level than that requested by the viewer, the tag is edited and not displayed. Thus, the prog ram material is edited in real time as it is displayed to the viewer.