Abstract: A method of operating a digital television decoder is disclosed. The decoder includes a memory, the memory storing onboard software, and the decoder is operable in a run mode to execute the onboard software. The method comprises: activating a power saving mode on the decoder; and upon activating the power saving mode: maintaining power to the memory; suspending execution of the onboard software; acquiring an execution context of the onboard software; updating the execution context of the onboard software to form an updated execution context; and saving the updated execution context in the memory.

Abstract: A parental control method, including receiving a channel selection command from a user to select from a plurality of channels for playing, each of the channels having a plurality of programming content, performing a parental control procedure prior to allowing playing of the programming content of one of the channels, during at least one specific timeslot, and allowing playing of the programming content prior to performing a parental control procedure for at least one of the following the one channel outside of the at least one specific timeslot, and another one of the channels. Related apparatus and methods are also described.

Abstract: A method of operating a digital television decoder is disclosed. The decoder includes a memory, the memory storing onboard software, and the decoder is operable in a run mode to execute the onboard software. The method comprises: activating a power saving mode on the decoder; and upon activating the power saving mode: maintaining power to the memory; suspending execution of the onboard software; acquiring an execution context of the onboard software; updating the execution context of the onboard software to form an updated execution context; and saving the updated execution context in the memory.