Abstract: An apparatus processes a video stream signal. The video stream signal represents a succession of frames, comprising a plurality of dependent frames that each provide for prediction of visual content using selectable ones of a preceding and following anchor frame that precede and follow the plurality of frames respectively. When a shortage of transmission bandwidth occurs, the apparatus generates a processed version of the video stream signal wherein a bit-rate alteration is performed starting from one of the dependent frames before an end of said plurality. Said alteration is executed by substituting a standard prediction from the following anchor frame at least for data in the video stream signal that encodes a region in said one of the dependent frames.

Abstract: A system (300), apparatus (200) and method (100) are provided to automatically play/suggest at least one audio accompaniment while a sequence of at least one digital image is being displayed such that the audio accompaniment matches the content of the particular sequence of images and matches any provided and/or generated image metadata. Search terms are derived from the images themselves as well as any metadata provided by the user and these search terms are then used to find audio accompaniment that either (1) contains these search terms or synonyms thereof in the image or associated text (e.g., song text) or (2) represents the sound normally associated with the images, such as rushing water sound for an image of a fast flowing brook. The invention accepts user input, locates appropriate audio accompaniment as search results and presents these results to the user either by playing the audio accompaniment while displaying the images or by suggesting a playlist to the user compiled from these results.

Abstract: An apparatus processes a video stream signal. The video stream signal represents a succession of frames, comprising a plurality of dependent frames that each provide for prediction of visual content using selectable ones of a preceding and following anchor frame that precede and follow the plurality of frames respectively. When a shortage of transmission bandwidth occurs, the apparatus generates a processed version of the video stream signal wherein a bit-rate alteration is performed starting from one of the dependent frames before an end of said plurality. Said alteration is executed by substituting a standard prediction from the following anchor frame at least for data in the video stream signal that encodes a region in said one of the dependent frames.

Abstract: A system (300), apparatus (200) and method (100) are provided to automatically play/suggest at least one audio accompaniment while a sequence of at least one digital image is being displayed such that the audio accompaniment matches the content of the particular sequence of images and matches any provided and/or generated image metadata. Search terms are derived from the images themselves as well as any metadata provided by the user and these search terms are then used to find audio accompaniment that either (1) contains these search terms or synonyms thereof in the image or associated text (e.g., song text) or (2) represents the sound normally associated with the images, such as rushing water sound for an image of a fast flowing brook. The invention accepts user input, locates appropriate audio accompaniment as search results and presents these results to the user either by playing the audio accompaniment while displaying the images or by suggesting a playlist to the user compiled from these results.

Abstract: A video tape recorder is operated with multiple tracks that are physically in parallel to each other and are collectively accessible as a single logical track, through selectively displaying in parallel a plurality of video keyframes. Actual play is controlled through selectively accessing a particular displayed keyframe. In particular, various ones of the displayed keyframes are associated with a value-based display of an analog quantity to indicate an anticipated time lapse that will be necessary before actual play as pertaining to the associated keyframe may effectively start.

Abstract: The invention relates to the generation of a trick play information stream from a normal play information stream, so that they can be recorded together as a composite information stream on the record carrier, such that upon reproduction in a trick play reproduction mode, an information signal of sufficient quality, eg as regards visibility, can be obtained. One aspect of the invention lies in the generation of GOPs, each GOP comprising an I-frame retrieved from the original normal play information stream, and one or more so-called ‘empty P frames’.(FIG.

Abstract: A trick play information stream is generated from a normal play information stream, so that they can be recorded together as a composite information stream on the record carrier, such that upon reproduction in a trick play reproduction mode, an information signal of sufficient quality, e.g., as regards visibility, can be obtained. GOPs are generated, each GOP including an I-frame retrieved from the original normal play information stream, and one or more so-called ‘empty P frames’. Another aspect is the requirement of generating GOPs for the trick play information stream that have a constant bitcost per GOP. Again, another aspect lies in the retrieval of the I-frame for the trick play information stream from the normal play information.

Abstract: A tracking control system is proposed for realizing a tracking control in a trick play reproduction mode in a helical scan reproduction apparatus. The tracking is based on the derivation of a tracking error control signal from the track numbers and the sync block numbers of the sync blocks read from the tracks in the trick play reproduction mode.

Abstract: A recording apparatus records a first and a second information signal in a first and a second recording mode, respectively. The apparatus uses two substantially identical processing units (12,22) for processing the information so as to obtain a signal suitable for recording. Further, a reproducing apparatus reproduces the signals recorded with the recording apparatus.

Abstract: A format for the recording of trick play signals in which trick play segments, having sync blocks of information of a trick play signal, are recorded in groups of p successive tracks. At least first and second trick play signals are recorded on the record carrier. The first trick play signal is meant for reproduction in a reproduction apparatus at a reproduction speed n1 times the recording speed with which the trick play signals are recorded on the record carrier. The second trick play signal is meant for reproduction in the reproduction apparatus at a reproduction speed n2 times the recording speed. Both trick play signals are recorded such that upon reproduction at the speed n1 times the recording speed, m1 sync blocks of information of the first trick play signal and m1 sync blocks of the second trick play signal are read from the record carrier during one revolution of the head drum in the reproduction apparatus.

Abstract: A signal processing technique for generating and processing trick play information for recording on a record carrier is used in an apparatus for recording a digital information signal onto a record carrier, in which the apparatus includes a first error correction encoder for error correcting trick play sync blocks generated from the digital information signal, a second error correction encoder for error correcting sync blocks formed from sync blocks of the digital information signal and the error corrected trick play sync blocks, and a third error correction encoder for error correcting each of the error corrected sync blocks. In the technique, the order that the trick play sync blocks provided by the first error correction encoder to the second error correction encoder is not the same as the order in which the third error correction encoder supplies the trick play sync blocks to the writing heads.

Abstract: A recording apparatus for recording a first information signal, having packets of information and a trick play signal having packets of information, includes a time stamp generator for generating time stamps for the packets. The first digital information signal is meant for a reproduction at a record carrier speed which equals the recording speed, and the second digital signal is meant for a reproduction at a speed n1 times the recording speed. The time stamp generator includes a first counter for generating subsequent cycles of subsequent first count values so as to supply time stamps for the packets of the first digital information signal, and a second counter for generating subsequent cycles of subsequent second count values so as to supply time stamps for the packets in the second digital information signal, the first counter supplying the first count values at a first rate, the second counter supplying the second count values at a second rate, which equals the first rate divided by n1.

Abstract: A format for the recording of trick play signals in which trick play segments including sync blocks of information of a trick play signal are recorded in the tracks. At least first and second trick play signals are recorded on the record carrier. The first trick play signal is meant for reproduction in a reproduction apparatus at a reproduction speed n1 times the recording speed with which the trick play signals are recorded on the record carrier. The second trick play signal is meant for reproduction in the reproduction apparatus at a reproduction speed −n1 times the recording speed. Both trick play signals are recorded in the tracks such that, upon reproduction at the speed n1 times the recording speed, m1 sync blocks of information of the first trick play signal and, upon reproduction at the speed −n1 times the recording speed, m1 sync blocks of the second trick play signal are read from the record carrier during one revolution of the head drum in the reproduction apparatus.

Abstract: A recording apparatus records an MPEG information signal and a trick play signal in tracks on a record carrier (1). The trick play signal is meant for reproduction in a corresponding reproduction apparatus at a record carrier trick play speed which is n1 times the nominal reproduction speed. Time stamps are added to the packets included in the trick play signal, and sync block numbers are added to the sync blocks including a packet, and the sync blocks are recorded at specific positions in the tracks. A specific algorithm is provided to determine those positions, dependent of the time stamps, and the sync block numbers given, such that upon reproduction at the trick play speed, the reproduction apparatus requires a buffer memory of a limited capacity.

Abstract: A specific sync block numbering is provided for the sync blocks of a trick play signal recorded on a record carrier. This trick play signal is meant for reproduction at a trick play record carrier speed other than the nominal recording speed.

Abstract: An arrangement for reproducing an electric signal from a track on a magnetic record carrier (2) includes a magnetic read head (1) for reading from the track an electric signal and for supplying the electric signal to an output, and automatic equalizer filter (5), including transconductance-capacitor filter (6). The transc-filter (6) has a tuning signal input (8). The equalizer filter (5) has a control signal input (15) and is adapted to automatically equalize the electric signal read from the track in response to a control signal supplied to its control signal input, and to supply an equalized output signal at its output (12). The tuning signal input of the transc-filter is coupled to the control signal input of the equalizer filter. The arrangement further includes a control signal generator (13,16) having an output (16) coupled to the control signal input (15) of the equalizer filter (5), the generator being adapted to generate a control signal and to supply the control signal to its output (16).

Abstract: A format for the recording of trick play signals in which trick play segments, having sync blocks of information of a trick play signal, are recorded in groups of p successive tracks. At least first and second trick play signals are recorded on the record carrier. The first trick play signal is meant for reproduction in a reproduction apparatus at a reproduction speed n1 time the recording speed with which the trick play signals are recorded on the record carrier. The second trick play signal is meant for reproduction in the reproduction apparatus at a reproduction speed n2 times the recording speed. Both trick play signals are recorded such that upon reproduction at the speed n1 times the recording speed, m1 sync blocks of information of the first trick play signal and m1 sync blocks of the second trick play signal are read from the record carrier during one revolution of the head drum in the reproduction apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus for recording an information signal forming slant tracks (Ti) on a magnetic record carrier (16), and for recording a control (CTL) signal forming a longitudinal CTL track (50). At least one write head (10) located on a rotatable head drum (14) writes the information signal on the record carrier to produce the slant tracks, while a CTL write head (34) writes the CTL signal at a specific frequency on the record carrier. In a first recording mode, a portion of the information signal is recorded by the write head (10) to produce a track during each revolution of the head drum on the record carrier, the frequency of the CTL signal being such that an edge in the CTL signal is written in the CTL track for each of the tracks, and the record carrier (16) being transported with a predetermined first speed, and the head drum (14) being rotated with a predetermined rotational velocity.

Abstract: In a system (1) for recording and/or reproducing information signals on/from at least one record carrier (13), which system comprises an apparatus (2) and at least one cassette (3) for use in the apparatus (2), each cassette (3) comprises at least one indicator which by means of one of its parameters indicates at least one characteristic value of an element of the cassette (3), and the apparatus (2) comprises a detection device (97, 101, 78) for the detection of this indicator parameter. At least one electrical impedance (R5, R6) is arranged in a cassette (3) as an indicator of a cassette (3), the impedance value of this impedance defining the parameter for the indication of a characteristic value, and the detection device (97, 101, 78) being adapted to directly or indirectly detect the parameter defined by the impedance value of the at least one impedance (R5, R6).

Abstract: An arrangement for recording an information signal in a track (T0, T1, . . . ) on a record carrier (1), includes an input (20) for receiving the information signal, signal processing circuitry (21) for processing the information signal such that it can be recorded in the track, counting device (23) for counting and for generating an array of subsequent different count signals and for supplying the count signals to an output (24), recording apparatus (25, 26, 27) having at least one recording head (26) for recording the processed information signal in a track on the record carrier, and for recording the count signals in a track on the record carrier and a transport apparatus (34,35) for transporting the record carrier with a certain transport velocity (vt) in a longitudinal direction of the record carrier.