Abstract: An entertainment device includes an input circuit to receive audio/video data compliant with a high definition (H/D) video standard. The entertainment device also includes a video decoder, a graphics processing unit (GPU), and a graphics generator arranged as an onscreen display (OSD). The video decoder decodes the HD data into a stream of presentable frames. First and second registers associated with the GPU act as first and second forward pointers, respectively. Third and fourth registers associated with the OSD act as first and second reverse pointers, respectively. Video data output to a display by the OSD overlays video data output to the display by the GPU. The entertainment device includes first and second memory buffers to store and provide first and second data using the first forward and first reverse pointers and using the second forward and second reverse pointers, respectively.

Abstract: A device has an input circuit to receive a stream of video data, which includes intra-frames (I-frames) and inter-frames. A video frame parser separates the I-frames and inter-frames from the stream of video data. A memory device has a file system thereon, and a processor is configured to process the video data. The processor stores the I-frames in an I-frame file in a contiguous memory region of the memory device and stores the inter-frames in an inter-frame file of the memory device. The processor also stores an index file, which includes information to coordinate a pre-parsed position of each I-frame with at least one adjacent inter-frame.

Abstract: A system for reducing a user's ability to perceive noise generated by a storage device. The system includes a processing unit and a storage device communicably coupled to the processing unit. The storage device may be, for example, a hard disk drive. The processing unit is provided with computer implemented instructions to: (i) receive a content stream comprising an audio component and a video component, wherein the content stream further comprises volume data and timing data relating to the audio component; and (ii) instruct the storage device to carry out read/write operations of the hard disk drive based, at least in part, on the volume data and the timing data.

Abstract: An electronic device operates a television located in a premises to simulate occupation of the premises, and thereby deter intrusion. The electronic device is caused to operate automatically, without any input from a user, and activates the television at different times according to a predetermined schedule not set by the user. During automatic operation, the television is caused not only to present television programming, but also to present visual and sound effects simulating human activity, whereby occupation of the premises is simulated.

Abstract: A method of presenting video frames of a video segment at a non-standard speed is provided. A frame count is set to an initial value. For each video frame that is to be presented, a time offset relative to a staring time within the video segment is generated. The time offset may be generated by multiplying the frame count by two values. The first value is a length of time for which each selected frame is to be presented to the user, and the second value is the presentation rate of the video segment relative to a normal presentation rate. A video frame within the video segment corresponding to the time offset within the video segment is selected and output for presentation. The frame count is then updated, and the process is repeated for the next frame to be presented.

Abstract: A device has an input circuit to receive a stream of video data, which includes intra-frames (I-frames) and inter-frames. A video frame parser separates the I-frames and inter-frames from the stream of video data. A memory device has a file system thereon, and a processor is configured to process the video data. The processor stores the I-frames in an I-frame file in a contiguous memory region of the memory device and stores the inter-frames in an inter-frame file of the memory device. The processor also stores an index file, which includes information to coordinate a pre-parsed position of each I-frame with at least one adjacent inter-frame.

Abstract: An entertainment device includes an input circuit to receive a stream of video data, a memory configurable as a plurality of buffers, a video decoder module, an on-screen display controller, and a processing unit. The processing unit directs the video decoder module to decode a first segment of the stream of video data into a first series of presentable frames and store the first series of presentable frames in a first buffer. The processing unit further directs the video decoder module to decode a second segment of the stream of video data into a second series of presentable frames for storage in a second buffer, and concurrent with the decoding of the second segment, the processing unit directs the on-screen display controller to output the first series of presentable frames from the first buffer in a reverse direction.

Abstract: A system for reducing a user's ability to perceive noise generated by a storage device. The system includes a processing unit and a storage device communicably coupled to the processing unit. The storage device may be, for example, a hard disk drive. The processing unit is provided with computer implemented instructions to: (i) receive a content stream comprising an audio component and a video component, wherein the content stream further comprises volume data and timing data relating to the audio component; and (ii) instruct the storage device to carry out read/write operations of the hard disk drive based, at least in part, on the volume data and the timing data.

Abstract: Control of output of programme content from an apparatus including a receiver for receiving programme content and an output includes storing one or more dependencies and determining whether a programme to be output by the apparatus has any dependencies associated with it. The dependencies may be indicative of whether the content of a given programme is dependent upon the content of one or more other programmes. If the programme to be output by the apparatus has any dependencies associated with it, the output of the programme content by the apparatus may impaired based on the dependencies. A corresponding apparatus and computer programme are also provided.

Abstract: An electronic device operates a television located in a premises to simulate occupation of the premises, and thereby deter intrusion. The electronic device is caused to operate automatically, without any input from a user, and activates the television at different times according to a predetermined schedule not set by the user. During automatic operation, the television is caused not only to present television programming, but also to present visual and sound effects simulating human activity, whereby occupation of the premises is simulated.

Abstract: A method of presenting video frames of a video segment at a non-standard speed is provided. A frame count is set to an initial value. For each video frame that is to be presented, a time offset relative to a staring time within the video segment is generated. The time offset may be generated by multiplying the frame count by two values. The first value is a length of time for which each selected frame is to be presented to the user, and the second value is the presentation rate of the video segment relative to a normal presentation rate. A video frame within the video segment corresponding to the time offset within the video segment is selected and output for presentation. The frame count is then updated, and the process is repeated for the next frame to be presented.