APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DE-INTERLACING VIDEO, INCLUDING 3:2 PULLDOWN VIDEO

An output stream of the de-interlaced image frames is produced from an incoming stream of interlaced image fields, where the interlaced image fields include complementary pairs of fields, which together comprise a frame. An input buffer includes field buffers storing the incoming stream of interlaced image fields. Field match detection logic is coupled to the input buffer, and detects matching fields in field buffers storing fields from the incoming stream separated by one other field. De-interlace logic is coupled to the input buffer and reads complementary pairs of fields from the input buffer and outputs de-interlaced frames. Control logic causes the current field from one of the field buffers to be paired with a complementary field selected from one of two fields stored in adjacent field buffers. The control logic sets a mode for the de-interlace sequence, including a standard mode and a 3:2 pulldown mode.