Abstract: A user interface for display and navigation of multiple video programs displays a graphical user interface including a plurality of available video programs. A user is allowed to generate a custom list of video programs by selecting at least one video program from the plurality of video programs. The videos programs from the custom list are simultaneously displayed while displaying the graphical user interface to the user.

Abstract: A method in a signal processor for filtering samples in a digital signal is provided. An approximate filtered sample is generated as a function of less than four samples of the digital signal. A correction is generated as a function of the less than four samples, and a filtered sample is generated by modifying the approximate filtered sample with the correction.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a system and method for performing motion estimation associated with an encoder, e.g., a H.264/MPEG-4 AVC compliant encoder. For example, the method selects a motion vector centering for a current block in a search area of at least one reference picture. The method calculates a matching cost for each of a plurality of candidate motion vectors derived from the search area, and outputs at least one of the plurality of candidate motion vectors based on the matching cost associated with each of the plurality of candidate motion vectors to a main coding loop.

Abstract: A method in a signal processor for filtering samples in a digital signal is provided. An approximate filtered sample is generated as a function of four samples of the digital signal. A correction is generated as a function of the four samples, and a filtered sample is generated by modifying the approximate filtered sample with the correction.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for generating a multiplex of a plurality of services (such as a plurality of digitally encoded video streams). In one embodiment, the methods comprise setting a target bitrate for a statistical multiplex, and determining the complexity of the services to be multiplexed. One or more requirements of the services are adjusted so that the multiplex meets a target bitrate. In one variant, the services comprise H.264 encoded and transrated video data streams. Exemplary multiplexing apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for splicing multiple video streams together. In one embodiment, two compressed video bit streams having one or more disparate qualities, such as bit rate, format, field parity, etc., are spliced together to form a single video bit stream that is free from any significant artifact. In one variant, a splicing boundary is located (e.g., at an I-frame or P-frame of a first stream), and the second stream spliced in at that point. A correction (e.g., addition or deletion of a frame) is then applied. In one implementation, the process maintains compliance with H.264 requirements.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for processing (e.g., transrating) one or more compressed video bitstreams including mode refinement analysis. In one embodiment, a method of transrating a digital video picture having a plurality of input macroblocks, each input macroblock having at least first and second attributes (e.g., slice type, encoding mode, and a “skipped” mode) is disclosed. In one variant, the method comprises generating an output macroblock corresponding to each input macroblock, with each of the output macroblocks having the first and second attributes. For each output macroblock having a first value for the first attribute (e.g., slice type), the second attribute (e.g., encoding mode) is decided at least in part by evaluating one or more error criteria, the error criteria being responsive to the second attribute of a corresponding input macroblock.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for transcoding one or more compressed video bitstreams. In one embodiment, the method comprises partially decoding an input video bitstream to produce a partially decoded intermediate video bitstream generated without performing a deblocking operation, extracting syntax pass-through information from the input video bitstream, and producing an output video bitstream from the intermediate video bitstream by using, for each macroblock, the macroblock decision from the input video bitstream.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for processing (e.g., transrating) one or more compressed video bitstreams including mode refinement analysis. In one embodiment, a method of transrating a digital video picture having a plurality of input macroblocks, each input macroblock having at least first and second attributes (e.g., slice type, encoding mode, and a “skipped” mode) is disclosed. In one variant, the method comprises generating an output macroblock corresponding to each input macroblock, with each of the output macroblocks having the first and second attributes. For each output macroblock having a first value for the first attribute (e.g., slice type), the second attribute (e.g., encoding mode) is decided at least in part by evaluating one or more error criteria, the error criteria being responsive to the second attribute of a corresponding input macroblock.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for transcoding one or more compressed video bitstreams. In one embodiment, the method comprises partially decoding an input video bitstream to produce a partially decoded intermediate video bitstream generated without performing a deblocking operation, extracting syntax pass-through information from the input video bitstream, and producing an output video bitstream from the intermediate video bitstream by using, for each macroblock, the macroblock decision from the input video bitstream.

Abstract: A method in a signal processor for filtering samples in a digital signal is provided. An approximate filtered sample is generated as a function of eight samples of the digital signal. A correction is generated as a function of the eight samples, and a filtered sample is generated by modifying the approximate filtered sample with the correction.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a system and method for performing motion estimation associated with an encoder, e.g., a H.264/MPEG-4 AVC compliant encoder. For example, the method selects a motion vector centering for a current block in a search area of at least one reference picture. The method calculates a matching cost for each of a plurality of candidate motion vectors derived from the search area, and outputs at least one of the plurality of candidate motion vectors based on the matching cost associated with each of the plurality of candidate motion vectors to a main coding loop.

Abstract: A real-time encoder, e.g., a real-time H.264 compliant encoder or a real-time AVC compliant encoder is disclosed. For example, the encoder comprises a first digital signal processor (DSP) for processing a first panel of an input image and a second digital signal processor (DSP) for processing a second panel of the input image. Finally, the encoder comprises a field programmable gate array (FPGA) for supporting both the first DSP and the second DSP.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining whether a block of pixels will likely contain all zero coefficients for various video encoding functions are disclosed. For example, the method receives or obtains a block of pixels from an input image and computes a measure for the block of pixels, where the measure comprises at least one of: a distortion measure or a maximum of absolute values of residuals measure. The method then determines whether the block of pixels contains all zero coefficients in accordance with the measure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining whether a block of pixels will likely contain all zero coefficients for various video encoding functions are disclosed. For example, the method receives or obtains a block of pixels from an input image and computes a distortion measure for the block of pixels. The method then determines whether the block of pixels contains all zero coefficients in accordance with the distortion measure.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for motion estimation in a video encoder is described. In one example, a motion estimator includes registers, first-in-first out (FIFO) logic, costing logic, and processing logic. The registers are configured to store an even field and an odd field of a current macroblock pair in a current frame in a video stream. The FIFO logic is configured to store a reference window of a reference frame in the video stream. The costing logic is configured to produce cost data. The processing logic is coupled to the registers, the FIFO logic, and the costing logic. The processing logic is configured to generate common sums of absolute differences (SADs) for the current macroblock pair, generate SADs for partitions of the current macroblock pair from combinations of the common SADs, and cost and minimize the SADs for the partitions.

Abstract: A method in a signal processor for filtering samples in a digital signal is provided. An approximate filtered sample is generated as a function of less than four samples of the digital signal. A correction is generated as a function of the less than four samples, and a filtered sample is generated by modifying the approximate filtered sample with the correction.

Abstract: A method in a signal processor for filtering samples in a digital signal is provided. An approximate filtered sample is generated as a function of less than four samples of the digital signal. A correction is generated as a function of the less than four samples, and a filtered sample is generated by modifying the approximate filtered sample with the correction.

Abstract: A method in a signal processor for quantizing a digital signal is provided. A fixed-point approximation of a value X÷Q is generated, wherein X is a fixed-point value based on one or more samples in the digital signal, and wherein Q is a fixed-point quantization parameter. A correction is generated, and the approximation is modified with the correction.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention discloses an apparatus and method for providing efficient implementations of Finite Impulse Response (FIR) digital filters. Specifically, a result from a FIR digital filter can be efficiently computed by using an AVG operation or instruction in conjunction with one or more other operations. The unique use of the AVG operation will allow FIR filters of various types, e.g., Types 1-4, to significantly reduce computational cycles.