Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, embodiments receiving audio content in a multi-channel sound format over a communication network resulting in multi-channel audio content. Further embodiments can include identifying a compression ratio of the audio content. Additional embodiments can include determining a rendered sound externalization for rendering the audio content according to the compression ratio of the audio content. Also, embodiments can include rendering the audio content in a binaural audio format for headphone playback on an audio device according to the rendered sound externalization. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, detecting a first wearable device and a second wearable device in proximity of a display device and identifying a first user profile associated with the first wearable device and a second user profile associated with the second wearable device. Further aspects may include identifying a first set of media content preferences according to the first user profile and a second set of media content preferences according to the second user profile. Additional aspects may include providing a first filtered electronic programming guide to the first wearable device and providing a second filtered electronic programming guide to the second wearable device. The first filtered electronic programming guide indicates the first set of media content preferences and the second filtered electronic programming guide indicates the second set of media content preferences. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Concepts and technologies are disclosed herein for creating a manifest file at a time of creating recorded content. A video device can request media content from a content source and receive the media content requested. The media content can be received with metadata from the content source. The video device can record the media content to generate recorded content and create, during the recording of the media content, a manifest file that includes at least a portion of the metadata that is received from the content source. The video device can store the recorded content and the manifest file.

Abstract: An example implementation may include a first device identifying a request from a second device for an instruction for aligning a satellite antenna. The first device may obtain satellite receiver data of a satellite receiver, responsive to the request. Based on the satellite receiver data, the instruction requested for aligning the satellite antenna is determined. The instruction includes determining a number of other satellite antenna angles for aligning the satellite antenna with other satellites, determining a satellite angle based on the other satellite antenna angles, and determining the instruction requested for aligning the satellite antenna based on the satellite angle. The satellite receiver data, including the instruction requested for aligning the satellite antenna, is provided by the first device to the second device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for combining transponder bandwidths comprises a wide-band virtual transponder for transmitting a single data stream. The wide-band virtual transponder is comprised of a plurality of narrow-band physical transponders. A plurality of elementary streams are statistically multiplexed to create the single data stream, wherein the single data stream is forward error correction encoded and demultiplexed into a plurality of transponder streams for transmission by the plurality of physical transponders. The physical transponders each use a different portion of a signal spectrum, wherein the different portion may be guard bands or a combination of legacy bands and guard bands. Upon receipt, the transponder streams are multiplexed to recover the single data stream, wherein the recovered single data stream is forward error correction decoded and statistically demultiplexed to recover the plurality of elementary streams.

Abstract: A system and method for allocating tuner resources in a multi-room digital video recording system, wherein the system includes a server device having a plurality of tuners therein and a first client device in communication with the server device and allocated at least a first tuner from the plurality of tuners. A second client in communication client device generates a tuner request. The server device allocates the first tuner to the second user device and communicates a content signal through the first tuner to the second client device.

Abstract: A method, system, computer program product, and computer readable storage medium provide the ability to control media content playback and reduce the time to commence playback of streamed media content. A client application receives a playback request to initiate playback of the media content. The client application downloads, from a server, a segment of the media content. The client application slices the segment into multiple smaller segments. The client application provides a subset of the multiple smaller segments to a video player. The subset of multiple smaller segments enable the video player to commence playback of the media content.

Abstract: A receiving system includes a communication input system to receive a program and a marker file. The program has a total duration when the program is presented in its entirety. The marker file includes a plurality of markers indicating locations of contents-of-interest in the program. The system includes a data storage system to store the program and the marker file. The system includes a user control to receive requests to present the contents-of-interest indicated by the plurality of markers. The system includes one or more processors to determine the locations of the contents-of-interest in the program from the plurality of markers. The system includes a presentation output interface to present the contents-of-interest on a user interface. The presentation of the contents-of-interest skips some content in the program. The contents-of-interest are presented over a shortened duration that is less that the total duration of the program when presented in its entirety.

Abstract: A system and method for accessing past program guide data includes a program guide repository storing past program guide data and a controller receiving a request for past program guide data and communicating the past program guide data to a user device located separated from the controller.

Abstract: Volume levels of content being presented via a device can be controlled. The device can receive or stream video or audio content. An audio manager component (AMC) can process the content to control the volume level of the content as it is presented on a presentation component based on a set point and/or upper and/or lower threshold volume levels. The set point can be set by a user. The AMC can map a high volume audio signal or a low volume audio signal to a defined volume range around the set point based on the upper and/or lower threshold volume levels. The AMC can analyze respective audio signals of the content, interpolate and determine respective adjusted volume levels of the respective audio signals, and adjust the respective volume levels to the respective adjusted volume levels based on the analysis results and the mapping.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to provide content on demand in content broadcast systems are disclosed. An example method comprises receiving a first portion of a program via broadcast signal and receiving a second portion of the program via an Internet protocol (IP) based signal. The example method may further comprise combining the first and the second portions and at least one of store the combined first and second portions in a file or playback the combined first and second portions.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a devices and methods related to satellite information broadcasting. Example embodiments may include frequency shifting an intermediate frequency (IF) signal down-conversion from the microwave-band. As an example, down-conversion involving local oscillators may lead to frequency drift due to varying temperature and/or humidity conditions. Correcting for the frequency drift may provide an opportunity to remove or filter excess bandwidth. Further embodiments may include receiving, in a tuning request, information about a transponder type. A frequency translation module may be adjusted based, at least in part, on the transponder type related to the IF signal being input into the frequency translation module. Such frequency-shifting and transponder-specific filtering may allow Single-Wire Multiswitch (SWM) devices to provide output signals with narrower bandwidth, which may improve signal quality, cable run length, reduce power demands, etc.

Abstract: A content distribution method including receiving in-band signals from respective content providers, where the in-band signals include video content. The method further includes: receiving at a placement opportunities information module first messages associated respectively with the content providers, where the first messages are advertisement messages and/or program messages and have respective formats; and mapping the first messages to second messages, where the second messages have a same format, and where the same format is different than the respective formats and is standardized for point of presence devices.

Abstract: A receiving unit 28 includes a tuner that receives a first signal that may include a satellite signal. A demodulator demodulates the satellite signal to form a second signal. The second signal may be internet protocol (IP) encapsulated to form an IP encapsulated signal. The IP encapsulated signal may be communicated through an IP network to a decoder. The decoder 144 decodes the second signal or the IP encapsulated signal. A modulator 146 modulates the decoded signal which is communicated to user devices through a network 147. In addition, IP encapsulated signals may also be communicated to various user devices through the network.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling fraud in a satellite signal delivery system. An apparatus in accordance with the present invention comprises a receive antenna for receiving at least one satellite signal, and a module, coupled to the receive antenna, for selectively delivering the at least one satellite signal to at least one receiver via an output of the module, wherein the module creates an association between the module and the at least one receiver upon installation of the at least one receiver to the output, such that the module delivers the at least one satellite signal to the at least one receiver only when the association is present.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling an in-vehicle infotainment system to control content in using a primary display includes a mobile device and the in-vehicle infotainment system in communication with the mobile device. The in-vehicle infotainment system comprises the primary display and a first secondary display. The in-vehicle infotainment system receives a first content selection signal for a first content. The first secondary display displays the first content in response to the first content selection signal. The primary display displays a content identifier corresponding to the first content.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a devices and methods related to satellite information broadcasting. An embodiment may relate to a device that includes a plurality of respective tuning channels. The device includes a controller configured to transmit a registration query and receive a registration request from a client device. The registration request may include a client identifier and a tuner quantity. The tuner quantity may indicate the number of tuners associated with the client device. The controller may assign at least one tuning channel to the client device based on the tuner quantity. Furthermore, the controller may transmit a registration confirmation message to the client device. The registration confirmation message may include the respective tuning channel identifier of the at least one assigned tuning channel.

Abstract: Single button selection to facilitate actions in a communications network are provided herein. In one embodiment, a method can comprise facilitating, by a network device of a wireless network and comprising a processor, a first transmission of a multimedia content stream to a communications device. The multimedia content stream can comprise a main content item and a supplemental content item that supplements the main content item. The method can also include in response to a request from the communications device for additional information related to the supplemental content item, facilitating, by the network device, a second transmission, to the communications device, of data that comprises the additional information. Based on an indication, received from the communications device, of an acceptance of the data related to the supplemental content item, the method can include facilitating, by the network device, an action related to the supplemental content item.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, detecting a first wearable device and a second wearable device in proximity of a display device and identifying a first user profile associated with the first wearable device and a second user profile associated with the second wearable device. Further aspects may include identifying a first set of media content preferences according to the first user profile and a second set of media content preferences according to the second user profile. Additional aspects may include providing a first filtered electronic programming guide to the first wearable device and providing a second filtered electronic programming guide to the second wearable device. The first filtered electronic programming guide indicates the first set of media content preferences and the second filtered electronic programming guide indicates the second set of media content preferences. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: An audio loudness data collection module collects and stores audio data. The data can be stored for a first time period. A monitoring system can access and store the audio data collected and stored by the loudness data collection module according to a second time period. The stored audio data can be processed and displayed to a user in a number of ways. The data can also be used to provide loudness data control. For example, a loudness data control module can perform an audio AGC function to control audio loudness.