Abstract: Individual time stamp data inputs generated by different viewers of a broadcast or other video output are used to identify parts of the video data to be used to generate a sequence of video clips or “highlights”. The individual time stamps for each event are aggregated to generate a single marker flag (93) for each event, defined for example as the median (95) (or some other point) in the distribution (90) of time stamps.

Abstract: Video clips are generated from a sequence of video data for delivery and playback on demand. Each clip (101, 102, 103) is identified by an event marker (1) and a pre/post event ratio (PPER). The pre/post event ratio determines the relative duration of the clip before and after the element defined by the event marker. In response to a request for video clip data, identified with reference to the event marker (1), the discrete elements (1, 2, 3, 12) of video data making up each clip are allocated to a sequence starting with the element associated with the event marker (1) and following in an order (2, 3, 4, etc) determined by the pre/post event ratio. This allows clips having different durations but having the same PPER to be transmitted to different receivers dependant on channel capacity or reliability.

Abstract: Video data is retrieved by a user device (41) from a database (49) as a plurality of video segments each having metadata (44) associated therewith indicative of the relative narrative interest of individual segments of the data, and is arranged such that it may be played at a selectable plurality of speeds. The speed at which each segment is to be played is selected in accordance with the metadata associated with that segment. This allows a “catch-up” facility to be provided to allow a viewer to watch the beginning of a sequence which is still being created (e.g a sports fixture in progress) at a variable speed so that the events of greater interest are displayed at normal speed (or in slow motion) and the less significant parts at a faster speed. The selection of the parts to be played at each speed can be tailored to the interests of the user, the relative interest of each segment, and the elapsed duration of the sequence to be viewed.

Abstract: Video clips are generated from a sequence of video data for delivery and playback on demand. Each clip (101, 102, 103) is identified by an event marker (1) and a pre/post event ratio (PPER). The pre/post event ratio determines the relative duration of the clip before and after the element defined by the event marker. In response to a request for video clip data, identified with reference to the event marker (1), the discrete elements (1, 2, 3, 12) of video data making up each clip are allocated to a sequence starting with the element associated with the event marker (1) and following in an order (2, 3, 4, etc) determined by the pre/post event ratio. This allows clips having different durations but having the same PPER to be transmitted to different receivers dependant on channel capacity or reliability.

Abstract: Individual time stamp data inputs generated by different viewers of a broadcast or other video output are used to identify parts of the video data to be used to generate a sequence of video clips or “highlights”. The individual time stamps for each event are aggregated to generate a single marker flag (93) for each event, defined for example as the median (95) (or some other point) in the distribution (90) of time stamps.