Abstract: A transmission system includes at least one receiver 60 and a transmitter 10, 20, 30 for transmitting a title to the receiver. The transmitter also transmits interactive features that enable a user to interact with the title. Thee features interact with the title through a DVD virtual machine. The receiver 60 receives the transmitted title and transmitted interactive features. A controller 250 of the receiver 60 implements the DVD virtual machine to enable execution of the received features in the receiver.

Abstract: In a transmission system, a web site (90) stores information parts for providing additional information and/or functionality for corresponding content parts of a transmitted title. The content parts are identified in a predetermined addressing format for storage (“content part address”) on a removable storage medium. The receiver (60) receives linking information linking the transmitted title to the web site, and a data file including data associating, for respective content parts of the title, the corresponding content part address with a content part timing that identifies the content part in a transmitting timing format. A controller (250) of the receiver uses the linking information and the data file to, synchronous to the receiver supplying content parts of the transmitted title for rendering, enabling linking to the corresponding information parts on the web site.

Abstract: A data processing apparatus (800) has an input (810) for receiving a first and second sequence of frame-based A/V data. A processor (830) edits the two sequences forming a third combined sequence. So-called “I-frames” are intra-coded, without reference to any other frame of the sequence. “P-frames” are coded with reference to one prior reference frame, and “B-frames” are coded with reference to one prior and one subsequent reference frame. The referential coding of a frame is based on motion vectors in the frame indicating similar macro blocks in the frame referred to. The processor identifies frames in the first sequence up to and including a first edit point and frames in the second sequence starting at a second edit point that have lost a reference frame. The processor (830) re-encodes each identified B-frames into a corresponding re-encoded frame by deriving motion vectors of the re-encoded frame solely from motion vectors of the original B-frame.

Abstract: An apparatus for recording a sequence of video data signals on a record carrier has been proposed. The apparatus comprises input means (1) for receiving video data signals, generating means (100) for generating characteristic point information signals, processing means (100) for processing the characteristic point information signals for a plurality of characteristic points into a sequence of characteristic points information signals (CPI) and writing means (102) for writing the sequence of video data signals and the sequence of characteristic points information signals on the record carrier. The characteristic point information signals identify a characteristic point in the sequence of video data signals. Various measures are proposed in relation to the CPI aiming at improving quality of trickplay and random access playback operations.

Abstract: The characteristic playback domain of an AV stream is to be reproduced simply and reliably without complicating the management. As marks representing characteristic points of an AV stream, a mark of the type indicating a point and a mark of the type indicating a section (duration) are provided. The mark of the type indicating a point designates a point with a time stamp corresponding to a preset playback timing of the AV stream. The mark of the type indicating a section specifies the domain based on the time stamp of the playback start point of the preset playback domain of the AV stream and on the duration as from the playback start point until the playback end point.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the playback of interactive television applications associated with a recorded program when a viewer is using trick play modes of operation is disclosed. When a viewer activates a fast forward operation. All events that the application would normally receive are supplied to the application at a faster rate than normal. When the viewer activates a rewind operation, the application is either paused until the playback of the rewound program returns to the location where the rewind operation began, or the application is loaded with a previous saved valid state for the location to which the program is rewound.