Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the representation of at least one data stream in a multi-participant application, comprising a server and a client, comprising: transmitter for transmitting a plurality of data streams from a server to a client across a communications network, each data stream being associated with a participant in a multi-participant video application; processor for determining a data stream ranking associated with at least one of the plurality of data streams; and, processor for selectively controlling the representation of at least one of the plurality of the data streams at the client in dependence on the data stream ranking.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the representation of at least one data stream in a multi-participant application, comprising a server and a client, comprising: transmitter for transmitting a plurality of data streams from a server to a client across a communications network, each data stream being associated with a participant in a multi-participant video application; processor for determining a data stream ranking associated with at least one of the plurality of data streams; and, processor for selectively controlling the representation of at least one of the plurality of the data streams at the client in dependence on the data stream ranking.

Abstract: A method for controlling the quality of a displayed video image to meet the perceptual requirements of a viewer, comprising the steps of determining the location and orientation of a viewer with respect to a video image and varying the quality of the video image in dependence on the location and orientation of the viewer.

Abstract: A networking system and method is disclosed in this specification. The system hosts a virtual environment that is populated with avatars. Each avatar displays a video stream of a corresponding user and defines a virtual view point that represents the user's perspective of the virtual environment. The system implements a method that comprises monitoring movement of the avatars within the virtual environment and capturing a media stream from the virtual view point of each avatar as a corresponding user navigates the virtual environment. The captured video stream is relayed to a user's local client and displayed to the user.

Abstract: A method for controlling the quality of a displayed video image to meet the perceptual requirements of a viewer, comprising the steps of determining the location and orientation of a viewer with respect to a video image and varying the quality of the video image in dependence on the location and orientation of the viewer.

Abstract: A networking system and method is disclosed in this specification. The system hosts a virtual environment that is populated with avatars. Each avatar displays a video stream of a corresponding user and defines a virtual view point that represents the user's perspective of the virtual environment. The system implements a method that comprises monitoring movement of the avatars within the virtual environment and capturing a media stream from the virtual view point of each avatar as a corresponding user navigates the virtual environment. The captured video stream is relayed to a user's local client and displayed to the user.