title: Computer-based desktop system for surgical videotape editing.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The educational role of surgical video presentations should be optimized by linking surgical images to graphic evaluation of indications, techniques, and results. We describe a PC-based video production system for personal editing of surgical tapes, according to the objectives of each presentation.
  
  
  METHODS
  The hardware requirement is a personal computer (100 MHz processor, 1-Gb hard disk, 16 Mb RAM) with a PC-to-TV/video transfer card plugged into a slot. Computer-generated numerical data, texts, and graphics are transformed into analog signals displayed on TV/video. A Genlock interface (a special interface card) synchronizes digital and analog signals, to overlay surgical images to electronic illustrations. The presentation is stored as digital information or recorded on a tape.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The proliferation of multimedia tools is leading us to adapt presentations to the objectives of lectures and to integrate conceptual analyses with dynamic image-based information. We describe a system that handles both digital and analog signals, production being recorded on a tape. Movies may be managed in a digital environment, with either an "on-line" or "off-line" approach. System requirements are high, but handling a single device optimizes editing without incurring such complexity that management becomes impractical to surgeons.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our experience suggests that computerized editing allows linking surgical scientific and didactic messages on a single communication medium, either a videotape or a CD-ROM.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Cirugía, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Hospital Universitario San Carlos, C. Martin lagos s/n, 28035, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Vincent-Hamelin
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Sarmiento
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: de la Puente
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vicente
mesh_terms: D000703:Analog-Digital Conversion; D016251:CD-ROM; D003199:Computer Systems; D008838:Microcomputers; D013523:Surgical Equipment; D013813:Therapy, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D014743:Videotape Recording / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods