Abstract: A content receiver and a method for controlling the same are provided. The content receiver, for example, may include, but is not limited to, a communication system configured to receive video content comprising a plurality of video frames from a content source, a processor configured to insert artifacts into one or more video frames when the video frame is subject to data loss, and a video analyzer configured to determine a quality of the video content by quantifying an effect of the inserted artifacts into the one or more video frames, and trigger at least one content receiver response when the quality of the video content is less than a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: Various systems, device and automated processes allow video streaming hosts or other server devices to publish their internal/local addresses (e.g., addresses used on a subnet or other local area network) to a backend address server operating on a wide area network (WAN) such as the Internet. Client devices attempting to subsequently contact server devices operating in the same local network can contact the address to obtain the internal address of the target server, thereby allowing direct LAN connections between clients and servers.

Abstract: Embodiments are related to processing of one or more input audio feeds for generation of a target audio stream that includes at least one object of interest to a listener. In some embodiments, the target audio stream may exclusively or primarily include the sound of the object of interest to the listener, without including other persons. This allows a listener to focus on an object of his or her interest and not necessarily have to listen to the performances of other objects in the input audio feed. Some embodiments contemplate multiple audio feeds and/or with multiple objects of interest.

Abstract: Live video streams are produced using a network server system. The network server system initially receives, via a network, one or more captured video streams that are live streams captured from a remotely-located camera, phone or the like. The captured streams are forwarded to a control device via the network to thereby permit a user of the control device to select one of the captured video streams for output to the video production stream. In response to a command received from the control device that indicates the selected capture stream, the selected capture video streams is encoded for output as the video production stream.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed towards providing fast setup of a storage device communicatively coupled to a television receiver. During initial setup of the storage device, an initial portion of the storage device is partitioned to provide accessibility for the television receiver to store content. However, the initial partition is only a subset of the maximum storage capacity of the storage device, which results in a second remainder portion of the storage device that is inaccessible for the television receiver to store audiovisual content. In response to a triggering event, the television receiver initiates a full partition process to partition the remainder of the storage device that was previously inaccessible for storing content. Once partitioned, the television receiver can then utilize the remainder portion of the storage device for storing long-term recorded content. The television receiver also converts the initial partition into a buffer that is used to temporarily store content.

Abstract: Devices, methods, and program products are provided enabling Adaptive Bitrate (ABR) optimization upon initialization of a streaming video session. In embodiments, the method includes launching a streaming media interface application in response to user input. Substantially concurrently with application launch, the client media receiver further transmits a request over a communications network to a streaming media server for a sample video stream. As the video stream is received, the client media receiver plays the sample video stream as, for example, a background process. When subsequently receiving user input selecting streaming content for end user viewing, the client media receiver determines an optimized ABR setting based upon a recent ABR value of the sample video stream. The client media receiver transmits a request to the streaming media server for user-selected content stream at the optimized ABR setting and then presents the content stream for end user viewing.

Abstract: Systems and processes are provided to identify a first camera model associated with a first video capture device of video capture devices within a system that aggregates video feeds from the video capture devices. A process includes receiving, by the video processing device, a first video sample from the first video capture device; sending, from the video processing device, a first command to the first video capture device; receiving, by the video processing device, a second video sample from the first video capture device subsequent to the sending of the first command; evaluating, by the video processing device, the first video sample and the second video sample in view of the first command to identify a first command response; and determining the first camera model based on the identified first command response.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for presenting media content with reduced latency. An exemplary method involves obtaining, by a tuner at a media device, media content broadcast on a broadcast channel and buffering, at the media device, a recent subset of the media content in a buffer associated with the tuner. In response to selection of the broadcast channel for presentation on a destination device coupled to the media device, the method continues by transcoding at least a portion of the buffered subset of the media content at the media device and providing the transcoded subset of the media content to the destination device.

Abstract: Apparatuses, methods and systems to enable display of media content, the apparatus includes: a remote control device; a button pad with a set of buttons for controlling a media player device wherein the set of buttons comprises at least a plurality of buttons to navigate an user interface on a display device, and to display streaming media content on the display device wherein the button pad is part of the remote control device, the button pad further includes: a first set of buttons ordinarily designated to navigate the user interface; and a second set of buttons ordinarily designated to play streaming media content wherein the second set of buttons further configured for use to navigate the user interface with the first set of buttons.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for providing a media stream transmitted from an encoding system to a remotely-located media player that requests segments of the media stream. In accordance with one embodiment, a method of encoding a media stream provided from an encoding system to a remotely-located client includes establishing a data connection with the client and acquiring, from the client, client information including a client identifier, a public internet protocol (IP) address, and a geographical location associated with the client. The method further includes determining, based on the client information, whether historical bit rate data is available in a historical bit rate data store provided by the encoding system. If such historical bit rate data is available, an initial bit rate parameter is set for the media stream and the media stream is encoded at the encoding system according to the initial bit rate parameter and transmitted to the client.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a video electronic programming guide (“video EPG”) may include outputting a primary program for display on a display screen, receiving a command to activate the video EPG, and in response to receiving the command, outputting a plurality of widgets for display on a display screen. Each of the plurality of widgets may represent a category of broadcast programs. Systems and methods may include receiving a widget selection for one of the plurality of widgets and outputting a video menu corresponding to the selected widget for display on the display screen. The video menu includes a plurality of video scenes, whereby each of the plurality of video scenes represents a broadcast program categorized in the selected widget. Systems and methods may include receiving a program selection for one of the plurality of video scenes.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are provided for enabling client-controlled adjustments in the Field-of-View (FOV) of streaming video content principally through changes in server encoding parameters. In various embodiments the method includes the step or process of receiving, at a client media receiver, an encoded video stream transmitted from a streaming media server over a communications network. The encoded video stream is processed, at the client media receiver, to generate a video output signal for presentation on a display device associated with the client media receiver. The client media receiver monitors for user input modifying a FOV of the video output signal. When receiving user input modifying the FOV of the video output signal, the client media receiver then transmits a FOV modification command to the streaming media server to modify a FOV of the encoded video stream in accordance with the user input.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for enhancing streaming performance through controlled and selectively-applied reductions in the color depth of streamed video content. In various embodiments, the method includes receiving, at a streaming media server, a request transmitted over a communications network to stream video content to a client media receiver. In response to this request, a streaming video session is initiated between the client media receiver and the streaming media server. During the streaming video session, the streaming media server obtains the video content as video input data having an original color depth; generates an encoded video stream from the video input data, while selectively reducing a color depth of the encoded video stream; and transmits the encoded video stream over the communications network to the client media receiver. The streaming media server repeats the steps of generating and transmitting until termination of the streaming video session.

Abstract: Electronic device and methods supporting secure boot functionalities performed utilizing an unsecured System-on-Chip (SoC) are provided. In various embodiments, the electronic device contains an unsecured SoC, a locked off-chip Non-Volatile Memory (NVM) component, and an unlocked off-chip NVM component. An on-chip or first stage boot loader program is stored in a first on-chip memory area; and, when execute, causes an on-chip processor to loads an image of a cryptographic key, such as a public key, into a second on-chip memory area. The cryptographic key is stored in the locked off-chip NVM component, possibly in conjunction with a second stage boot loader program. The on-chip processor then utilizes the cryptographic key, alone or in combination with other data, as a root-of-trust to verify the authenticity of one or more software components, such as an operating system, stored in the unlocked off-chip NVM component prior to booting the software component(s).

Abstract: A player receives encoded content of a first resolution level from a content retransmitter and monitors bandwidth of the communication connection utilized to receive the content. When the bandwidth changes with respect to various threshold values corresponding to various resolution levels, the player signals the content retransmitter to increase or decrease the encoding resolution for future portions. The player also locates related substitute content. When the player signals the content retransmitter to decrease the resolution below a minimum, the player plays the substitute content instead of the received content. Subsequently when the bandwidth is again such that player signals the content retransmitter to increase the resolution to the minimum or above, the player plays the received content instead of the substitute content. In various implementations, the player may obtain substitute content prior to or at the time the player determines to play substitute content.

Abstract: Devices, methods, and program products are provided, which support multiple Digital Rights Management (DRM) schemes or platforms during the placeshifting of media content. A given placeshifting session may be initiated between a placeshifting device and a user-controlled client media receiver executing a browser player. In one embodiment, the DRM placeshifting method includes storing, in a memory associated with the placeshifting device, DRM-protected content; receiving a request from the client media receiver over a communications network to stream the DRM-protected content to the device; and obtaining a placeshifting key and initialization instructions for the DRM-protected content. The DRM-protected content is streamed to the client media receiver in an encrypted format accessible with a placeshifting decryption key.

Abstract: Devices, systems, method, and program products are provided, which support temporally-seamless change functionalities during multichannel streaming sessions established between a streaming media server and a client media receiver. In embodiments, the method includes outputting, to a display device, a first streaming channel contained in a streaming channel bundle and assigned a high priority level. When receiving a channel change request to view a second streaming channel, the client media receiver monitors for additional channel change requests over a predetermined wait period. If an additional channel change request is received within the wait period, the client media receiver repeats the step of monitoring.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for viewing video content are provided. Video content is displayed in a video region of a display, while application content is displayed in an application region of the display. Based on the application content, candidate video content relevant to the application content is determined and, in response to user input, selected video content is displayed in the video region of the display.

Abstract: Devices, systems, method, and program products are provided, which support temporally-seamless change functionalities during multichannel streaming sessions established between a streaming media server and a client media receiver. In embodiments, the method includes outputting, to a display device, a first streaming channel contained in a streaming channel bundle and assigned a high priority level. When receiving a channel change request to view a second streaming channel, the client media receiver monitors for additional channel change requests over a predetermined wait period. If an additional channel change request is received within the wait period, the client media receiver repeats the step of monitoring.

Abstract: A method of encoding packets of a media stream includes establishing a data connection between a client device and a server, sending a first packet of the media stream from the server to the client device at a first bit rate, receiving, at the server, a first acknowledgment signal from the client device responsive to receipt of the first packet, determining a second bit rate based on the first acknowledgment signal, and sending a second packet of the media stream from the server to the client at the second bit rate.