Abstract: A “hold” feature on a user operated remote control allows a currently displayed track or view to be maintained while a video presentation is being played. As a user is watching a presentation that uses multiple camera views shown one-at-a-time as in a standard edited cut (i.e., “director's cut”) of a movie, the user can press a button when the user sees a camera view or scene of particular interest. Thereafter, the track associated with the camera view or scene that was showing when the hold button was pressed will continue to be played in place of the presentation. To return to the edited cut the user depresses the hold button again. The held track will continue to play until the user decides to resume presentation of the edited program or until the held track ends. Upon ending, the program track is resumed. While holding a track the user is free to select other available tracks in addition to jumping back to the program track at any time.

Abstract: Multiple video streams, or other image information, from a DVD or other single source are selectively directed among two or more display screens. The video streams can be directed automatically, manually or by a combination of automatic and manual techniques. This allows the streams to be viewed simultaneously on different display screens to, e.g., increase the viewing area, provide selectable enhancement and control of video viewing, or for other purposes.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide faster user-selected scene switching during playback of a video production. In one embodiment, several channels of video (e.g., several video streams each depicting a different camera angle) are read from interleaved data on a DVD disc. Each channel's data is maintained in a channel buffer that is input to a video decoder via a selector. When a signal from a user input device indicates that a user has selected a new channel, the selector can immediately provide the selected channel's data from the channel buffer to the video decoder, thus providing an increase in switching speed.

Abstract: A video playback device automatically generates transition indications when a user selects a new video stream while a current video stream is playing. Transitions can be any visual and/or audio indication including a wipe, fade, title overlay, graphics overlay, etc. Predetermined default transitions are associated with different transition types or a user can create and associate transitions to be used. Different types of transitions include a scene change, angle change, exit to a control menu, etc.

Abstract: Audio tracks including environmental information are recorded on a DVD, or other playback medium using microphones, vibration sensors, or other devices that capture ambient sound from the original environment in which a performance, presentation or other sound is created. For example, environmental audio tracks can be obtained by placing microphones on the floor, ceiling and walls of an amphitheater during a pop music performance. Any object, item or surface can be a candidate from, or within, which to capture an ambient sound. Sounds can be obtained from sensors mounted to musicians, audience members, theater seats, various rooms within a building, etc. The environmental audio tracks (EATs) can be provided individually or mixed together with one or more other EATs, one or more standard recorded tracks, or otherwise mixed or combined with other sounds. Or the EATs can be processed, effected, etc., as desired.

Abstract: A single control allows selection and display of different video sequences from a DVD. No screen graphics are necessary to assist the user with operation, such as to show which buttons correspond to which sequences. A dedicated control, such as a button on a DVD player or television remote control device, is used to switch between two possible video tracks, or to otherwise select among multiple video tracks. Full-screen video tracks can be displayed without the need for visual indicators, such as thumbnail images, to identify selectable video tracks associated with different controls. Another aspect of the invention allows for modification of control information, such as navigation information, within a playback device.

Abstract: Techniques for electronic messaging synchronized to media presentation are provided. The techniques include a method for displaying text in connection with an audiovisual production, a method for displaying text in connection with playback of an audiovisual production, a method for synchronizing viewer-inputted messages with playback of an audiovisual production, and others. For example, a method for displaying a message in connection with an audiovisual production includes receiving a signal from a viewer interface to define the message, displaying the defined message adjacent to a first display of the audiovisual production, and displaying the defined message in a second display adjacent to the audiovisual production. In addition, the present invention provides a system for displaying messages in connection with playback of prerecorded media to produce an audiovisual production and a computer-readable medium with instructions for displaying messages in connection with an audiovisual production.