Method, system and computer program product for managing media data files and related source information

• US 6,636,869 B1
• Filed: 05/05/2000
• Issued: 10/21/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Avid Technology Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Avid Technology Incorporated
• Inventors: Peters, Eric C., Reber, Stephen J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Homere, Jean R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): PHAM, KHANH B
• Application Number:
  US09/565,968
• Time in Patent Office: 1,264 Days
• Field of Search: 707/1, 707/100, 707/102, 707/104.1, 707/200, 707/205, 360/13, 386/54, 386/64, 386/95, 386/55, 386/52, 345/327, 345/508, 345/328, 345/302, 711/100
• US Class Current: 386/278
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/40 of multimedia data, e.g. slideshows comprising image and additional audio data retrieval of still image data G06F16/50; retrieval of audio data G06F16/60; retrieval of video data G06F16/70
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/48 Retrieval characterised by using metadata, e.g. metadata not derived from the content or metadata generated manually
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/748 Hypervideo linking data to content, e.g. by linking an URL to a video object in the context of video distribution systems H04N21/858
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/94 Hypermedia Hyperlinking G06F40/134
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/41 Flat as opposed to hierarchical combination, e.g. library of tapes or discs, CD changer, or groups of record carriers that together store one title
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 2220/90 Tape-like record carriers
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/024 on tapes G11B27/028, G11B27/029 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/031 Electronic editing of digitised analogue information signals, e.g. audio or video signals
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/034 on discs G11B27/036, G11B27/038 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/11 by using information not detectable on the record carrier
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/28 by using information signals recorded by the same method as the main recording G11B27/22 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/765 Interface circuits between an apparatus for recording and another apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99945 Object-oriented database structure processing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99948 Application of database or data structure, e.g. distributed, multimedia, or image

Abstract

A system for the management of media data and binding of media data to requests for pieces of media, which includes a plurality of procedures that can establish and write storage of new media, and make requests for media based on media source identification and range on the specified media source. A system for the management of relational information between media sources, which includes a plurality of procedures to set and query the information. Relations are established either via interaction with the sources or by user'"'"'s specifications. Relations are based on positions in the source, labels on these positions and ranges from the labels indicating the length of the relation. Information concerning source relations, actual media stored for these sources, and binding of media to specific needs for the media within the system are separated. Media data is identified source identifiers and range specification on the source.

Claims

1. An apparatus for storing media files, comprising:

a computer readable medium; and

information stored on the computer readable medium that, when accessed by a computer is interpreted by the computer to indicate;

media data stored in a plurality of data files and information about the media data, wherein the information about the media data comprises information indicative of a source medium from which the media data originates and a time range in the media data originating from the source medium.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the information about the media data is stored in the data file in which the media data is stored.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the information about the media data further comprises includes a channel identifier.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the information about the media data further comprises includes an indicator of a media type.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the information about the media data further comprises includes an indicator of media specific information.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein there is a plurality of data files originating from a source medium, and wherein the media specific information for each of the plurality of data files originating from the source medium indicates a data rate of the media data.

7. A media file database comprising:

a computer readable medium; and

information stored on the computer readable medium that, when accessed by a computer is interpreted by the computer to indicate the source medium from which media data in each media data file originates, a time range in the media data originating from the source medium, and a path for accessing the media data file.

8. The media file database of claim 7, wherein the information indicative of a source medium from which the media data originates, a time range in the media data originating from the source medium, and a path for accessing the media data file.

9. The media file database of claim 7, wherein the information indicative of the path comprises information indicative of a volume, directory and name of the media data file.

10. The media file database of claim 7, wherein the information further comprises information indicative of a channel identifier.

11. The media file database of claim 7, wherein the information further comprises information indicative of a media type.

12. The media file database of claim 7, wherein the information further comprises information indicative of media specific information.

13. The media file database of claim 12, wherein there is a plurality of media data files originating from a source medium, and wherein the media specific information for each of the plurality of media data files originating from the source medium indicates a data rate of the media data.

14. The media file database of claim 7, wherein a media data file comprises information stored on the computer readable medium that, when accessed by the computer, is interpreted by the computer to indicate media data and information about the media data, wherein the information about the media data is indicative of a source medium from which the media data originates and a time range in the media data originating from the source medium.

15. The media file database of claim 14, wherein the information about the media data further includes a channel identifier.

16. The media file database of claim 14, wherein the information about the media data further includes an indicator of a media type.

17. The media file database of claim 14, wherein the information about the media data further includes an indicator of media specific information.

18. The media file database of claim 17, wherein there is a plurality of media data files originating from a source medium, and wherein the media specific information for each of the plurality of media data files originating from the source medium indicates a data rate of the media data.

19. A method for creating a media file database for a plurality of media data files, using information stored on a computer readable medium that, when accessed by a computer, is interpreted by the computer to indicate media data stored in the plurality of media data files, and information about the media data including information indicative of a source medium from which the media data originates and a time range in the media data originating from the source medium, the method comprising:

reading the information about the media data, and

storing information that indicates the source medium from which media data in each media data file originates, a time range in the media data originating from the source medium, and a path for accessing the media data file.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the stored information comprises a record for each media data file, wherein each record comprises information indicative of a source medium from which the media data originates, a time range in the media data originating from the source medium, and a path for accessing the media data file.

21. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

renaming a media data file; and

updating the path for accessing the renamed media data file in the media file database.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein updating comprises performing the steps of reading and storing after the step of renaming.

23. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

relocating a media data file; and

updating the path for the relocated media data file in the media file database.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein updating comprises performing the steps of reading and storing after the step of relocating.

25. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

redigitizing a media data file that originates from a source medium to replace a media data file that originates from the source medium; and

modifying the media file database to associate the source medium with the redigitized media data file.

26. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

deleting a media data file; and

removing reference to the deleted media data file from the media file database.

27. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

creating a media data file from a source medium; and

adding information to the media file database to indicate the source medium from which media data in each media data file originates, a time range in the media data originating from the source medium, and a path for accessing the media data file.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein adding the information comprises performing the steps of reading and storing after the step of creating.

104. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

moving a media data file; and

updating the path for the moved media data file in the media file database.

105. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

recapturing a media data file that originates from a source medium to replace a media data file that originates from the source medium; and

modifying the media file database to associate the source medium with the recaptured media data file.

108. The method of claim 105, wherein the identifier of the source medium is used by a clip to reference media data originating from the source medium that is intended to be played, and the identifier of the equivalent source medium is used to access media data originating from the equivalent source medium to be played for the clip.

29. A method for creating a media file database, comprising:

creating a plurality of media data files, wherein each media data file includes media data from a source medium and a time range in the media data originating from the source medium; and

storing in the media file database information that indicates the source medium from which media data in each media data file originates, the time range in the media data originating from the source medium, and a path for accessing the media data file.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein each media data file further comprises information indicative of the source medium from which the media data originates and the time range in the media data originating from the source medium.

31. The method of claim 29, wherein the stored information comprises a record for each media data file, wherein each record comprises information indicative of a source medium from which the media data originates, a time range in the media data originating from the source medium, and a path for accessing the media data file.

32. The method of claim 29, further comprising:

renaming a media data file; and

updating the path of the renamed media data file in the media file database.

33. The method of claim 29, further comprising:

relocating a media data file; and

updating the path of the relocated media data file in the media file database.

34. The method of claim 29, further comprising:

redigitizing a media data file that originates from a source medium to replace a media data file that originates from the source medium; and

modifying the media file database to associate the source medium with the redigitized media data file.

35. The method of claim 29, further comprising:

deleting a media data file; and

removing reference to the deleted media data file from the media file database.

36. The method of claim 29, further comprising storing the media file database in a data file on the computer.

37. The method of claim 36, further comprising reading the data file from the computer into working memory of the computer.

106. The method of claim 29, further comprising:

moving a media data file; and

updating the path of the moved media data file in the media file database.

107. The method of claim 29, further comprising:

recapturing a media data file that originates from a source medium to replace a media data file that originates from the source medium; and

modifying the media file database to associate the source medium with the recaptured media data file.

38. A method for generating a media program, comprising:

generating a media file database comprising a computer readable medium and information stored on the computer readable medium that, when accessed by a computer is interpreted by the computer to indicate a plurality of media data files, wherein a media data file includes media data stored in a data file, and information that indicates the source medium from which media data in each media data file originates, a time range in the media data originating from the source medium, and a path for accessing the media data file; and

creating a sequence of clips defining the media program, wherein each clip is defined by a reference to a source medium and a time range in the media data originating from the source medium to be used by the clip.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein a media data file further includes information indicative of a source medium from which the media data originates and a time range in the media data originating from the source medium.

40. The method of claim 38, wherein the stored information comprises a record for each media data file, wherein each record comprises information indicative of a source medium from which the media data originates, a time range in the media data originating from the source medium, and a path for accessing the media data file.

41. The method of claim 38, further comprising transferring the created sequence to a second computer.

42. The method of claim 41, further comprising associating a media data file on the second computer with a clip of the created sequence.

43. The method of claim 38, further comprising, for each clip:

identifying a media data file originating from the source medium referenced by the clip; and

accessing the media data file.

44. The method of claim 43, wherein accessing the media data file comprises accessing the media data file to read media data.

45. The method of claim 43, wherein accessing the media data file comprises accessing the media data file to read information about the media data.

46. The method of claim 43, wherein accessing the media data file comprises accessing the media data file to read information about the source medium from which the media data originates.

47. The method of claim 43, wherein identifying a media data file originating from the source medium referenced by a clip comprises:

identifying a source medium that is equivalent to the referenced source medium; and

identifying a media data file including media data originating from the equivalent source medium.

48. The method of claim 47, wherein identifying the other source medium comprises:

receiving a request including an identifier of a source medium;

accessing a table of relationship information that associates identifiers of source media to identify an equivalent source medium; and

returning an identifier of the equivalent source medium.

49. A method for processing media data stored in a media file database comprising a computer readable medium and information stored on the computer readable medium that, when accessed by a computer, is interpreted by the computer to indicate media data stored in a plurality of media data files and information about the media data including information indicative of a source medium from which the media data originates and a time range in the media data originating from the source medium, the method comprising:

receiving an edited sequence of clips defining a media program, wherein each clip is defined by a reference to a source medium and a time range in the media data originating from the source medium to be used by the clip; and

for each clip, identifying a media data file originating from the source medium and accessing the media data file.

50. The method of claim 49, wherein a media data file further includes the information indicative of the source medium from which the media data originates and the time range in the media data originating from the source medium.

51. The method of claim 49, wherein accessing the media data file comprises accessing the media data file to read media data.

52. The method of claim 49, wherein accessing the media data file comprises accessing the media data file to read information about the media data.

53. The method of claim 49, wherein accessing the media data file comprises accessing the media data file to read information about the source medium from which the media data originates.

54. The method of claim 49, wherein there is a plurality of media data files originating from a source medium, and wherein identifying a media data file comprises selecting one of the plurality of media data files according to the information about the media.

55. The method of claim 54, wherein the information about the media is information indicative of the quality of the media data.

56. The method of claim 49, wherein identifying a media data file originating from the source medium referenced by a clip comprises:

identifying a source medium that is equivalent to the referenced source medium; and

identifying a media data file originating from the equivalent source medium.

57. The method of claim 56, wherein identifying the other source medium comprises:

receiving a request including an identifier of a source medium;

accessing a table of relationship information that associates identifiers of source media to identify an equivalent source medium; and

returning an identifier of the equivalent source medium.

58. A method for processing media data in a media file database comprising a computer readable medium and information stored on the computer readable medium that, when accessed by a computer is interpreted by the computer to indicate media data stored in a plurality of media data files and information indicative of a source medium from which the media data originates, a time range in the media data originating from the source medium and a path for accessing the media data file, the method comprising:

receiving an edited sequence of clips defining a media program, wherein each clip is defined by a reference to a source medium and a time range in the media data originating from the source medium to be used for the clip;

displaying each clip in the sequence of clips using the media data originating from the source medium referenced by the clip; and

generating a sequence of instructions for generating the media program from the source media using the sequence of clips and the relationships between the clips and the source media.

59. The method of claim 58, wherein a media data file further includes information indicative of a source medium from which the media data originates and a time range in the media data originating from the source medium.

60. The method of claim 58, wherein the source medium referenced by a clip is film and the time range is defined by film edge code numbers.

61. The method of claim 58, wherein the source medium referenced by a clip is a video tape and the time range is defined by time codes.

62. A method for processing media data, comprising:

creating a first media data file from a source medium including a first time range of media data originating from the source medium;

creating a second media data file from the source medium including a second time range of media data originating from the source medium;

maintaining information indicative of the source medium and the first and second time ranges from which the first and second media data files originate; and

selecting one of the first and second media data files to access a time range of the media data originating from the source medium.

63. The method of claim 62, wherein maintaining information comprises:

generating a media file database comprising a computer readable medium and information stored on the computer readable medium that, when accessed by a computer is interpreted by the computer to indicate media data stored in a plurality of media data files, and information indicative of a source medium from which the media data originates, a time range in the media data originating from the source medium, and a path for accessing the media data file.

64. The method of claim 63, wherein a media data file further includes information indicative of a source medium from which the media data originates and a time range in the media data originating from the source medium.

65. A source database of information about source media from which media data originate, comprising:

a computer readable medium; and

information stored on the computer readable medium that, when accessed by a computer is interpreted by the computer to indicate a unique identifier of each source medium, a name for each source medium, a time range of media data on the source medium and relationship information describing relationships among the source media.

66. The source database of claim 65, wherein the relationship information indicates equivalency.

67. The source database of claim 66, wherein a first source medium is a video tape and a second source medium is a film, and wherein the relationship information of the first source medium with the second source medium is defined by an identifier of the film, an edge number of the film, a corresponding time code of the video tape and a duration.

68. A method for creating a source database for a plurality of media data files, wherein each media data file includes media data and information indicative of a source medium from which the media data originates and a time range in the media data originating from the source, the method comprising:

reading the information indicative of the source medium and time range from each of the plurality of media data files, and

receiving relationship information associating a time range of media data from a source medium with a time range of media data from one or more other source media;

storing in the source database information indicative of the relationship information among the source media.

69. The method of claim 68, wherein the relationship information indicates equivalency.

70. The method of claim 69, wherein a first source medium is a video tape and a second source medium is a film, and wherein the relationship information of the first source medium with the second source medium is defined by an identifier of the film, an edge number of the film, a corresponding time code of the video tape and a duration.

71. A method for accessing information about equivalent media, comprising:

receiving a request including an identifier of a source medium and a time range of media data originating from the source medium;

accessing a table of relationship information that associates source identifiers to identify an equivalent source medium; and

returning an identifier of the equivalent source medium and a time range of media data originating from the equivalent source medium.

72. A media file database comprising:

a computer readable medium; and

information stored on the computer readable medium that, when accessed by a computer is interpreted by the computer to indicate a source medium from which media data in each media data file originates, a time range in the media data originating from the source medium, and an identifier for accessing the media data file.

73. A method for creating a media file database for a plurality of media data files, using information stored on the computer readable medium that, when accessed by the computer, is interpreted by the computer to indicate media data stored in the plurality of media data files, and information about the media data including information indicative of a source medium from which the media data originates and a time range in the media data originating from the source medium, the method comprising:

reading the information about the media data, and

storing information that indicates the source medium from which media data in each media data file originates, a time range in the media data originating from the source medium, and an identifier for accessing the media data file.

74. The method of claim 73, further comprising:

deleting a media data file; and

removing reference to the deleted media data file from the media file database.

75. The method of claim 73, further comprising:

creating a media data file from a source medium; and

adding information to the media file database to indicate the source medium from which media data in each media data file originates, a time range in the media data originating from the source medium, and an identifier for accessing the media data file.

76. The method of claim 75, wherein adding the information comprises performing the steps of reading and storing after the step of creating.

77. A method for creating a media file database, comprising:

creating a plurality of media data files, wherein each media data file includes media data from a source medium and a time range in the media data originating from the source medium; and

storing the media file database information that indicates the source medium from which media data in each media data file originates, a time range in the media data originating from the source medium, and an identifier for accessing the media data file.

78. The method of claim 77, further comprising:

deleting a media data file; and

removing reference to the deleted media data file from the media file database.

79. A method for generating a media program, comprising:

generating a media file database comprising a computer readable medium and information stored on the computer readable medium that, when accessed by a computer is interpreted by the computer to indicate a plurality of media data files, wherein a media data file includes media data stored in a data file, and information that indicates the source medium from which media data in each media data file originates, a time range in the media data originating from the source medium, and an identifier for accessing the media data file; and

creating a sequence of clips defining the media program, wherein each clip includes information indicative of media data and a time range in the media data originating from the source medium to be used by the clip.

80. The method of claim 79, wherein a media data file further includes information indicative of a source medium from which the media data originates and a time range in the media data originating from the source medium.

81. The method of claim 79, further comprising transferring the created sequence to a second computer.

82. The method of claim 81, further comprising associating a media data file on the second computer with a clip of the created sequence.

83. The method of claim 79, further comprising, for each clip:

identifying a media data file including the referenced media data for the clip; and

accessing the media data file.

84. The method of claim 83, wherein accessing the media data file comprises accessing the media data file to read media data.

85. The method of claim 83, wherein accessing the media data file comprises accessing the media data file to read information about the media data.

86. The method of claim 83, wherein accessing the media data file comprises accessing the media data file to read information about a source medium from which the media data originates.

87. The method of claim 83, wherein identifying a media data file including the referenced media data for a clip comprises:

identifying a source medium that is equivalent to a source medium from which the referenced media data originates; and

identifying a media data file including media data originating from the equivalent source medium.

88. The method of claim 87, wherein identifying the other source medium comprises:

receiving a request including an identifier of a source medium;

accessing relationship information that associates a plurality of source media to identify an equivalent source medium using the identifier of the source medium; and

returning an identifier of the equivalent source medium.

89. The method of claim 79, wherein the reference to media data is an identifier of a source medium and wherein the time range in the media data is a

90. A method for processing media data originating from one or more source media and stored in a plurality of media data files, the method comprising:

receiving an edited sequence of clips defining a media program, wherein each clip includes information indicative of a reference to media data and a time range in the media data originating from the source medium to be used by the clip; and

for each clip, identifying a media data file including the referenced media data and accessing the media data file.

91. The method of claim 90, wherein the reference to media data is an identifier of a source medium and wherein the time range in the media data is a time range in the source medium.

92. The method of claim 90, wherein accessing the media data file comprises accessing the media data file to read media data.

93. The method of claim 90, wherein accessing the media data file comprises accessing the media data file to read information about the media data.

94. The method of claim 90, wherein accessing the media data file comprises accessing the media data file to read information about a source medium from which the media data originates.

95. The method of claim 90, wherein there is a plurality of media data files originating from a source medium, and wherein identifying a media data file comprises selecting one of the plurality of media data files according to media specific information.

96. The method of claim 95, wherein the media specific information is information indicative of the quality of the media data.

97. The method of claim 90, wherein identifying a media data file including the referenced media data comprises:

identifying a source medium that is equivalent to a source medium of the referenced media data; and

identifying a media data file including media data originating from the equivalent source medium.

98. The method of claim 97, wherein identifying the other source medium comprises:

receiving a request including an identifier of a source medium;

accessing relationship information that associates a plurality of source media to identify an equivalent source medium using the identifier of the source medium; and

returning an identifier of the equivalent source medium.

109. The method of claim 90, wherein identifying comprises linking the identified media data file to the clip, and further comprising:

if the identified media data file becomes unavailable, automatically relinking a media data file to the clip.

110. The method of claim 109, wherein the media data file is relocated, and wherein automatically relinking comprises automatically relinking the relocated media data file to the clip.

111. The method of claim 109, wherein the media data file is renamed, and wherein automatically relinking comprises automatically relinking the renamed media data file to the clip.

112. The method of claim 109, wherein the media data file is replaced by a media data file with media data redigitized from the source medium, and wherein automatically relinking comprises automatically relinking the redigitized media data file to the clip.

113. The method of claim 109, wherein the media data file is deleted, and wherein automatically relinking comprises automatically relinking another media data file to the clip.

114. The method of claim 109, wherein the media data file is moved, and wherein automatically relinking comprises automatically relinking the moved media data file to the clip.

115. The method of claim 109, wherein the media data file is replaced by a media data file with media data recaptured from the source medium, and wherein automatically relinking comprises automatically relinking the recaptured media data file to the clip.

99. A method for processing media data in a media file database comprising a computer readable medium and information stored on the computer readable medium that, when accessed by a computer is interpreted by the computer to indicate media data stored in a plurality of media data files and information indicative of a source medium from which the media data originates, a time range in the media data originating from the source medium and an identifier for accessing the media data file, the method comprising:

receiving an edited sequence of clips defining a media program, wherein each clip includes information for identifying a reference to a source medium and a time range in the media data originating from the source medium to be used by the clip;

displaying each clip in the sequence of clips using media data originating from the source medium referenced by the clip; and

generating a sequence of instructions for generating the media program from the source media using the sequence of clips and the relationships between the clips and the source media.

100. The method of claim 99, wherein a media data file further includes information indicative of a source medium from which the media data originates and a time range in the media data originating from the source medium.

101. The method of claim 99, wherein the source medium reference by a clip is film and the time range is defined by film edge code numbers.

102. The method of claim 99, wherein the source medium referenced by a clip is a video tape and the time range is defined by time codes.

103. A method for accessing information about equivalent media, comprising:

receiving a request including an identifier of a source medium and a time range in media data originating from the source medium;

accessing relationship information that associates a plurality of source media to identify a time range of equivalent media data originating from an equivalent source medium using the identifier of the source medium and the time range; and

returning an identifier of the equivalent source medium and time range of equivalent media data.

116. Apparatus for generating a media program, comprising:

means for generating a media file database comprising a computer readable medium and information stored on the computer readable medium that, when accessed by a computer is interpreted by the computer to indicate a plurality of media data files, wherein a media data file includes media data stored in a data file, and information that indicates the source medium from which media data in each media data file originates, a time range in the media data originating from the source medium, and a path for accessing the media data file; and

means for permitting a user to specify a sequence of clips defining the media program, wherein each clip is defined by a reference to a source medium and a time range in the media data originating from the source medium to be used by the clip.

117. The apparatus of claim 116, wherein a media data file further includes information indicative of a source medium from which the media data originates and a time range in the media data originating from the source medium.

118. The apparatus of claim 116, wherein the stored information comprises a record for each media data file, wherein each record comprises information indicative of a source medium from which the media data originates, a time range in the media data originating from the source medium, and a path for accessing the media data file.

119. The apparatus of claim 116, further comprising a second computer to which the created sequence is transferred.

120. The apparatus of claim 119, further comprising, on the second computer, means for associating a media data file on the second computer with a clip of the created sequence.

121. The apparatus of claim 116, further comprising:

means for identifying, for each clip, a media data file originating from the source medium referenced by the clip; and

means for accessing the media data file.

122. The apparatus of claim 121, wherein the means for accessing the media data file comprises means for accessing the media data file to read media data.

123. The apparatus of claim 121, wherein the means for accessing the media data file comprises means for accessing the media data file to read information about the media data.

124. The apparatus of claim 121, wherein the means for accessing the media data file comprises means for accessing the media data file to read information about the source medium from which the media data originates.

125. The apparatus of claim 121, wherein the means for identifying a media data file originating from the source medium referenced by a clip comprises:

means for identifying a source medium that is equivalent to the referenced source medium; and

means for identifying a media data file including media data originating from the equivalent source medium.

126. The apparatus of claim 125, wherein the means for identifying the other source medium comprises:

means for receiving a request including an identifier of a source medium;

means for accessing a table of relationship information that associates identifiers of source media to identify an equivalent source medium; and

means for returning an identifier of the equivalent source medium.

127. Apparatus for processing media data stored in a media file database comprising a computer readable medium and information stored on the computer readable medium that, when accessed by a computer, is interpreted by the computer to indicate media data stored in a plurality of media data files and information about the media data including information indicative of a source medium from which the media data originates and a time range in the media data originating from the source medium, the apparatus comprising:

means for receiving an edited sequence of clips defining a media program, wherein each clip is defined by a reference to a source medium and a time range in the media data originating from the source medium to be used by the clip; and

means for identifying, for each clip, a media data file originating from the source medium and for accessing the media data file.

128. The apparatus of claim 127, wherein a media data file further includes the information indicative of the source medium from which the media data originates and the time range in the media data originating from the source medium.

129. The apparatus of claim 127, wherein the means for accessing the media data file comprises accessing the media data file to read media data.

130. The apparatus of claim 127, wherein the means for accessing the media data file comprises means for accessing the media data file to read information about the media data.

131. The apparatus of claim 127, wherein the means for accessing the media data file comprises means for accessing the media data file to read information about the source medium from which the media data originates.

132. The apparatus of claim 127, wherein there is a plurality of media data files originating from a source medium, and wherein the means for identifying a media data file comprises means for selecting one of the plurality of media data files according to the information about the media.

133. The apparatus of claim 132, wherein the information about the media is information indicative of the quality of the media data.

134. The apparatus of claim 127, wherein the means for identifying a media data file originating from the source medium referenced by a clip comprises:

means for identifying a source medium that is equivalent to the referenced source medium; and

means for identifying a media data file originating from the equivalent source medium.

135. The apparatus of claim 134, wherein the means for identifying the other source medium comprises:

means for receiving a request including an identifier of a source medium;

means for accessing a table of relationship information that associates identifiers of source media to identify an equivalent source medium; and

means for returning an identifier of the equivalent source medium.

136. Apparatus for processing media data in a media file database comprising a computer readable medium and information stored on the computer readable medium that, when accessed by a computer is interpreted by the computer to indicate media data stored in a plurality of media data files and information indicative of a source medium from which the media data originates, a time range in the media data originating from the source medium and a path for accessing the media data file, the apparatus comprising:

means for receiving an edited sequence of clips defining a media program, wherein each clip is defined by a reference to a source medium and a time range in the media data originating from the source medium to be used for the clip;

means for displaying each clip in the sequence of clips using the media data originating from the source medium referenced by the clip; and

means for generating a sequence of instructions for generating the media program from the source media using the sequence of clips and the relationships between the clips and the source media.

137. The apparatus of claim 136, wherein a media data file further includes information indicative of a source medium from which the media data originates and a time range in the media data originating from the source medium.

138. The apparatus of claim 136, wherein the source medium referenced by a clip is film and the time range is defined by film edge code numbers.

139. The apparatus of claim 136, wherein the source medium referenced by a clip is a video tape and the time range is defined by time codes.

140. Apparatus for processing media data, comprising:

means for creating a first media data file from a source medium including a first time range of media data originating from the source medium;

means for creating a second media data file from the source medium including a second time range of media data originating from the source medium;

means for maintaining information indicative of the source medium and the first and second time ranges from which the first and second media data files originate; and

means for selecting one of the first and second media data files to access a time range of the media data originating from the source medium.

141. The apparatus of claim 140, wherein the means for maintaining information comprises:

means for generating a media file database comprising a computer readable medium and information stored on the computer readable medium that, when accessed by a computer is interpreted by the computer to indicate media data stored in a plurality of media data files, and information indicative of a source medium from which the media data originates, a time range in the media data originating from the source medium, and a path for accessing the media data file.

142. The apparatus of claim 141, wherein a media data file further includes information indicative of a source medium from which the media data originates and a time range in the media data originating from the source medium.

143. Apparatus for generating a media program, comprising:

means for generating a media file database comprising a computer readable medium and information stored on the computer readable medium that, when accessed by a computer is interpreted by the computer to indicate a plurality of media data files, wherein a media data file includes media data stored in a data file, and information that indicates the source medium from which media data in each media data file originates, a time range in the media data originating from the source medium, and an identifier for accessing the media data file; and

means for permitting a user to specify a sequence of clips defining the media program, wherein each clip includes information indicative of media data and a time range in the media data originating from the source medium to be used by the clip.

144. The apparatus of claim 143, wherein a media data file further includes information indicative of a source medium from which the media data originates and a time range in the media data originating from the source medium.

145. The apparatus of claim 143, further comprising a second computer for receiving the created sequence.

146. The apparatus of claim 145, further comprising, on the second computer, means for associating a media data file on the second computer with a clip of the created sequence.

147. The apparatus of claim 143, further comprising:

means for identifying, for each clip, a media data file including the referenced media data for the clip; and

means for accessing the media data file.

148. The apparatus of claim 147, wherein the means for accessing the media data file comprises means for accessing the media data file to read media data.

149. The apparatus of claim 147, wherein the means for accessing the media data file comprises means for accessing the media data file to read information about the media data.

150. The apparatus of claim 147, wherein the means for accessing the media data file comprises means for accessing the media data file to read information about a source medium from which the media data originates.

151. The apparatus of claim 147, wherein the means for identifying a media data file including the referenced media data for a clip comprises:

means for identifying a source medium that is equivalent to a source medium from which the referenced media data originates; and

means for identifying a media data file including media data originating from the equivalent source medium.

152. The apparatus of claim 151, wherein the means for identifying the other source medium comprises:

means for receiving a request including an identifier of a source medium;

means for accessing relationship information that associates a plurality of source media to identify an equivalent source medium using the identifier of the source medium; and

means for returning an identifier of the equivalent source medium.

153. The apparatus of claim 143, wherein the reference to media data is an identifier of a source medium and wherein the time range in the media data is a time range in the source medium.

154. Apparatus for processing media data originating from one or more source media and stored in a plurality of media data files, the apparatus comprising:

means for receiving an edited sequence of clips defining a media program, wherein each clip includes information indicative of a reference to media data and a time range in the media data originating from the source medium to be used by the clip; and

means for identifying, for each clip, a media data file including the referenced media data and for accessing the media data file.

155. The apparatus of claim 154, wherein the reference to media data is an identifier of a source medium and wherein the time range in the media data is a time range in the source medium.

156. The apparatus of claim 154, wherein the means for accessing the media data file comprises accessing the media data file to read media data.

157. The apparatus of claim 154, wherein the means for accessing the media data file comprises means for accessing the media data file to read information about the media data.

158. The apparatus of claim 154, wherein the means for accessing the media data file comprises means for accessing the media data file to read information about a source medium from which the media data originates.

159. The apparatus of claim 154, wherein there is a plurality of media data files originating from a source medium, and wherein the means for identifying a media data file comprises means for selecting one of the plurality of media data files according to media specific information.

160. The apparatus of claim 159, wherein the media specific information is information indicative of the quality of the media data.

161. The apparatus of claim 154, wherein the means for identifying a media data file including the referenced media data comprises:

means for identifying a source medium that is equivalent to a source medium of the referenced media data; and

means for identifying a media data file including media data originating from the equivalent source medium.

162. The apparatus of claim 161, wherein the means for identifying the other source medium comprises:

means for receiving a request including an identifier of a source medium;

means for accessing relationship information that associates a plurality of source media to identify an equivalent source medium using the identifier of the source medium; and

means for returning an identifier of the equivalent source medium.

163. The apparatus of claim 154, wherein the means for identifying comprises means for linking the identified media data file to the clip, and further comprising:

means, operative if the identified media data file becomes unavailable, for automatically relinking a media data file to the clip.

164. The apparatus of claim 163, wherein the media data file is relocated, and wherein the means for automatically relinking comprises means for automatically relinking the relocated media data file to the clip.

165. The apparatus of claim 163, wherein the media data file is renames, and wherein the means for automatically relinking comprises means for automatically relinking the renames media data file to the clip.

166. The apparatus of claim 163, wherein the media data file is replaced by a media data file with media data redigitized from the source medium, and wherein the means for automatically relinking comprises means for automatically relinking the redigitized media data file to the clip.

167. The apparatus of claim 163, wherein the media data file is deleted, and wherein the means for automatically relinking comprises means for automatically relinking another media data file to the clip.

168. The apparatus of claim 163, wherein the media data file is moved, and wherein the means for automatically relinking comprises means for automatically relinking the moved media data file to the clip.

169. The apparatus of claim 163, wherein the media data file is replaced by a media data file with media data recaptured from the source medium, and wherein the means for automatically relinking comprises means for automatically relinking the recaptured media data file to the clip.

170. Apparatus for processing media data in a media file database comprising a computer readable medium and information stored on the computer readable medium that, when accessed by a computer is interpreted by the computer to indicate media data stored in a plurality of media data files and information indicative of a source medium from which the media data originates, a time range in the media data originating from the source medium and an identifier for accessing the media data file, the apparatus comprising:

means for receiving an edited sequence of clips defining a media program, wherein each clip includes information for identifying a reference to a source medium and a time range in the media data originating from the source medium to be used by the clip;

means for displaying each clip in the sequence of clips using media data originating from the source medium referenced by the clip; and

means for generating a sequence of instructions for generating the media program from the source media using the sequence of clips and the relationships between the clips and the source media.

171. The apparatus of claim 170, wherein a media data file further includes information indicative of a source medium from which the media data originates and a time range in the media data originating from the source medium.

172. The apparatus of claim 170, wherein the source medium referenced by a clip is film and the time range is defined by film edge code numbers.

173. The apparatus of claim 170, wherein the source medium referenced by a clip is a video tape and the time range is defined by time codes.

174. Apparatus for accessing information about equivalent media, comprising:

means for receiving a request including an identifier of a source medium and a time range in media data originating from the source medium;

means for accessing relationship information that associates a plurality of source media to identify a time range of equivalent media data originating from an equivalent source medium using the identifier of the source medium and the time range; and

means for returning an identifier of the equivalent source medium and time range of equivalent media data.

175. The apparatus of claim 174, wherein the identifier of the source medium is used by a clip to reference media data originating from the source medium that is intended to be played, and the identifier of the equivalent source medium is used to access media data originating from the equivalent source medium to be played for the clip.