Method for determining entropy of a pixel of a real time streaming digital video image signal, particularly applicable for identifying the origin of, and processing, in real time, pixels of interlaced, non-interlaced, or de-interlaced, streaming digital video image signals, and for correcting errors produced during editing of streaming digital video image signals. Based upon the fundamental aspect of determining the degree or extent of randomness or disorder, or entropy, and determining the fluctuation thereof, of each pixel relative to inter-local neighborhoods and intra-local neighborhoods of selected pixels originating from the streaming digital video image input signal. Automatically detects and identifies original mode of the video input signal (film movie, video camera, or graphics). Independent of type of mode conversion used for generating the original video input signal, and not based upon an `a priori` type of pattern recognition method.