Abstract: In connection with the supply of data tokens identifying the forthcoming delivery of audio/video content, a method for obtaining content access data relating to forthcoming content is provided, together with a method for supplying such data and apparatus supporting the methods. Where a remote resolution utility (12) is available to supply access data, in the form of time and channel for broadcast, for example, in response to supply of an appropriate content identifier, the method comprises capturing, other that directly via the mechanism by which content is to be delivered, of a content identifier (16) for an item of content; determining from said content identifier said resolution utility; transmitting the captured content identifier to said resolution authority; and receiving the access data returned by said resolution utility.

Abstract: A data playback apparatus (14) and method for the operation of the same, for the handling of a recorded data stream and associated linear application, are provided. The apparatus includes a data stream playback stage (19) operable to perform linear real-time and non-linear playback of a stored data stream from storage (18). An application processing stage (16) runs a linear application from a given start point on commencement of linear real-time playback of the data stream. To avoid problems where the application is unsuited to the non-linearity, the application processing stage (16) stops running of said application and, on recommencing of linear real-time playback, recommences running of the application from the given start point.

Abstract: A data playback apparatus and method for handling of a recorded data stream and associated linear application include a data stream playback stage operable to perform linear real-time and non-linear playback of a stored data stream from storage. An application processing stage runs a linear application from a given start point on commencement of linear real-time playback of the data stream. To avoid problems where the application is unsuited to the non-linearity, the application processing stage stops running of said application and, on recommencing of linear real-time playback, recommences running of the application from the given start point.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for generating bridge segments to enable editing jumps to be made from one A/V segment to another while handling timing and frame constraints imposed by the A/V segment compliance with coding conventions, such as MPEG. The bridge segment is constructed by copying data from the two sequences to be bridged, with some demultiplexing, decoding, remultiplexing and re-encoding of this data to maintain the validity of the edited data stream. Different procedures in terms of copying and/or re-encoding are applied in dependence on the picture encoding types at the source and destination of the edit via the bridging segment.

Abstract: In a method of detecting a scene cut, compressed audio data is analysed to determine variations across a number of frequency bands of a particular parameter. The audio data includes, for each sample and for a plurality of audio frequency bands, a parameter indicating the maximum value of the compressed audio data for that frequency band. The method comprises the steps of determining, for each of a number of the frequency bands, an average of the parameters for a number of consecutive samples, calculating, for each of the number of frequency bands, a variation parameter indicating the variation of the determined average over a number, M, of consecutive determined averages, comparing the variation parameter for the predetermined number of the frequency bands with threshold levels and, determining from the comparison whether a scene cut has occurred.

Abstract: A data playback apparatus (14) and method for the operation of the same, for the handling of a recorded data stream and associated linear application, are provided. The apparatus includes a data stream playback stage (19) operable to perform linear real-time and non-linear playback of a stored data stream from storage (18). An application processing stage (16) runs a linear application from a given start point on commencement of linear real-time playback of the data stream. To avoid problems where the application is unsuited to the non-linearity, the application processing stage (16) stops running of said application and, on recommencing of linear real-time playback, recommences running of the application from the given start point.