Abstract: An example method includes the steps of receiving an encoded video packet including a packet header and generating a modified packet header. The modified packet header is generated by setting a first value in the packet header to indicate zero reference frames, and by setting a second value in the packet header designating an i-frame as unused for reference. The i-frame is decoded in response to the modified packet header to extract the i-frame without caching the i-frame in a decoded picture buffer. A thumbnail image is generated and includes an image from the i-frame. The thumbnail image is stored directly in memory.

Abstract: According to principles of the disclosure, the level of engagement by a user in watching a program is determined based on data received from a personal computing device that is coupled to the user while they are viewing the audio/video program as it is displayed. The personal computing device contains a number of user biological function sensors which are able to measure and receive one or more biological functions that are personal to the user while they view the audio/video program. The changes in a particular biological function, such as heart rate, breathing, movement and other activities are compared to the type of content in the program being viewed and a correlation carried out in order to determine the level of engagement of the user has with the program.

Abstract: Systems and processes are provided to generate a thumbnail image including a tuner configured for receiving and demodulating a video signal including a video packet having a packet header and a video frame, a processor configured for generating a modified packet header by modifying the packet header to set a number of reference frames to zero and to designate the video frame as unused for reference, decoding the video frame in response to the modified packet header to extract the video frame, and generating the thumbnail image in response to the video frame, a memory configured for storing the thumbnail image, and a video output configured for coupling the thumbnail image to a display in response to a user video search request.

Abstract: According to principles of the disclosure, the level of engagement by a user in watching a program is determined based on data received from a personal computing device that is coupled to the user while they are viewing the audio/video program as it is displayed. The personal computing device contains a number of user biological function sensors which are able to measure and receive one or more biological functions that are personal to the user while they view the audio/video program. The changes in a particular biological function, such as heart rate, breathing, movement and other activities are compared to the type of content in the program being view and a correlation carried out in order to determine the level of engagement of the user has with the program.

Abstract: Systems and processes are provided to generate a thumbnail image including a tuner configured for receiving and demodulating a video signal including a video packet having a packet header and a video frame, a processor configured for generating a modified packet header by modifying the packet header to set a number of reference frames to zero and to designate the video frame as unused for reference, decoding the video frame in response to the modified packet header to extract the video frame, and generating the thumbnail image in response to the video frame, a memory configured for storing the thumbnail image, and a video output configured for coupling the thumbnail image to a display in response to a user video search request.

Abstract: Systems, devices and automated processes reduce the effects of unwanted interruption during video encoding by reserving header space at the outset of video encoding. This reserved space can be progressively filled on any periodic or other basis as encoding continues so that a recent header is always available. If an interruption occurs, only the video content encoded after the last header write will be lost, thereby greatly reducing the effects of the interruption.

Abstract: A video production device is deployed to produce a video production stream of an event occurring within an environment that includes a plurality of different video capture devices capturing respective video input streams of the event. The video production device is programmed and operated to: receive video input streams from the video capture devices; determine, for each video capture device, an average root mean square (RMS) audio energy value over a period of time, to obtain device-specific average RMS values for the video capture devices; compare each device-specific average RMS value against a respective device-specific energy threshold value; identify which input stream is associated with an active speaker, based on the comparing step; select one of the identified streams as a current video output stream; and provide the selected stream as the current video output stream.

Abstract: A video production device is deployed to produce a video production stream of an event occurring within an environment that includes a plurality of different video capture devices capturing respective video input streams of the event. The video production device is programmed and operated to: receive a plurality of video input streams from the plurality of different video capture devices; automatically sequence through the streams to select one of them as a current video output stream, in accordance with a predetermined switching sequence associated with the video capture devices; and provide the selected stream as the current video output stream for a designated time interval associated with the video capture device that captured the selected video input stream.

Abstract: A video production device is deployed to produce a video production stream of an event occurring within an environment that includes a plurality of different video capture devices capturing respective video input streams of the event. The video production device is programmed and operated to: receive video input streams from the video capture devices; determine, for each video capture device, an average root mean square (RMS) audio energy value over a period of time, to obtain device-specific average RMS values for the video capture devices; compare each device-specific average RMS value against a respective device-specific energy threshold value; identify which input stream is associated with an active speaker, based on the comparing step; select one of the identified streams as a current video output stream; and provide the selected stream as the current video output stream.

Abstract: A video production device is deployed to produce a video production stream of an event occurring within an environment that includes a plurality of different video capture devices capturing respective video input streams of the event. The video production device is programmed and operated to: receive a plurality of video input streams from the video capture devices; automatically select one of the video input streams as a current video output stream, in accordance with a visual activity based switching technique that identifies which of the plurality of video input streams is associated with a detected speaker; and provide the selected video input stream as the current video output stream.

Abstract: Systems, devices and automated processes reduce the effects of unwanted interruption during video encoding by reserving header space at the outset of video encoding. This reserved space can be progressively filled on any periodic or other basis as encoding continues so that a recent header is always available. If an interruption occurs, only the video content encoded after the last header write will be lost, thereby greatly reducing the effects of the interruption.