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How do you find the interesting bits in videos of football matches? Sharp of Japan has already suggested a VCR that seeks out slow-motion sequences (New Scientist, 19 May 2001, p 24), but not all action is replayed in slo-mo. Now its Dutch rival Philips is patenting a recorder that hunts out sequences where there is little or no grass in the shots. (WO 02/23891). It says this is a sure sign that the cameras have zoomed in from a wide pitch view to a close-up, perhaps of a striker bearing down on the goal, celebrating or arguing with the referee.