Abstract: Multi-frame trick play clips of the stored performance are selected for playing in a trick play mode, portions between the trick play clips, at least as long as the trick play clips, are skipped in the trick play mode. The trick play clips are sufficiently long and presented at a sufficiently low speed so that the content of the trick play clips can be understood by a human audience.

Abstract: Multi-frame trick play clips of the stored performance are selected for playing in a trick play mode, portions between the trick play clips, at least as long as the trick play clips, are skipped in the trick play mode. The trick play clips are sufficiently long and presented at a sufficiently low speed so that the content of the trick play clips can be understood by a human audience.

Abstract: A method and system for synchronizing signals. First and second signals are sent (compressed or uncompressed) from a source to a receiving apparatus of a receiving system. The first signal has content of a first modality (e.g., audio) and the second signal has content of a second modality (e.g., video). The first and second signals are to be displayed on a display apparatus of the receiving system. The first and second signals have been time-synchronized at the source. If the first and second signals are not synchronized in time when received at the receiving apparatus, then the first and second signals may be time-synchronized at the receiving apparatus either manually or through timestamping of both signals at the source, in conjunction with use of a real-time clock at the receiving apparatus.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the selective peaking of portions of a video signal is provided. The video signals, such as those transmitted in compressed form, in accordance with MPEG Standards, can be presented as blocks of data encoded using Discrete Cosine Transforms (DCT). The Discrete Cosine Transform coefficients corresponding to the chrominance values of the signal can be obtained and analyzed. The analysis and corresponding amounts of enhancement (peaking) can be performed on a block-by-block, I-frame by I-frame, basis to selectively peak portions of a video signal. If the DCT coefficients for a portion of the signal exceed or fall within a pre-selected value or range, that portion of the signal can be subjected to peaking. For example, if the high frequency horizontal DCT coefficients exceed (or fall within) a pre-set threshold value or range, a horizontal peaking circuit can be set to peak that portion of the signal.

Abstract: When viewing a 4:3 aspect ratio image on a widescreen display, disturbing black bands appear to the left and right of the displayed image. Similarly, when viewing a letterbox image on a 4:3 aspect ratio display, disturbing black bands appear above and below the displayed image. These black bands result in uneven ageing of the phosphors in the display screen. An apparatus is provided which detects these black bands and automatically expands the image in the appropriate direction such that these black bands are automatically eliminated.

Abstract: A display device for receiving encrypted or scramble video data and for decrypting or descrambling the video data such that a signal is not provided “in the clear”. The video data is stored in a memory array in an encrypted form and read out from the memory array using a decryption key. The encrypted data is then read out from the memory elements in accordance with known methods.

Abstract: A LCD display device for receiving encrypted video data and for decrypting the video data such that a signal is not provided “in the clear” before receipt by the display device. The video data is encrypted within a row of video and decrypted at the display. Alternatively the rows are encrypted by altering the time sequence of display of each row.

Abstract: In a matrix display of light reflecting elements, each element is duty cycle modulated into one of two states represented by successive bits of a digital display code to produce a luminance level represented by the code. In order to correct a visual artifact which occurs when the human eye views the element during only part of the modulation cycle for the code, the element is repeatedly sequentially activated for short periods into optical states represented by the most significant bits of the code.

Abstract: A method and decoder for decoding a hierarchically coded digital video bitstream which can process a high resolution television picture in real time and which is made, up of a number of individual decoder modules, connected in parallel, which each have less real time processing power than is necessary, but which when combined, have at least the necessary processing power needed to process the bitstream in real time. The decoder includes a system controller which detects the hierarchical code indicating bits and slices and communicates this information to a slice parser which dynamically allocates the bitstream among the digital modules as needed on a per slice basis.