Abstract: An in-home audio-visual transmission system comprises a gateway 15, having for example three input channels. On each channel is a transcoder 20-22 and a buffer 23-25. At each of three destination stations 18, 19, 32 is included a buffer 28, 29, 33 and a decoder 30, 31, 34. The system aims to provide in respect of each channel a predetermined buffering delay, which is distributed between the gateway 15 and the relevant receiver. Following a channel-change, switch-on or similar condition, the buffer for a channel is empty. Following such an event, reduced speed playback is effected at the destination station, which allows playback to be effected whilst the buffer fullness is increased. Reduced speed playback is preferably effected by inclusion in the transcoders 20-22 of means for including in an MPEG2 stream time stamps which result in the repetition of fields at the destination stations. Audio signals may be subjected to frame repetition so as to avoid a reduction in pitch.

Abstract: A gateway 15 of an in-home audio visual distribution system comprises first to third encoder or transcoders 20-22, each being associated with a respective buffer 23-25. Each encoder or transcoder and buffer combination process signals from a different input channel. Data signals from the buffers are scheduled by an earliest deadline first scheduler 26 for transmission over a wireless link via a transmitter 17. A joint bit rate controller 27 is arranged to control the encoders or transcoders to adopt a bit rate which is dependent on the amount of data stored in the buffers 23-25 awaiting transmission, particularly on the difference between the amount of data and a target amount. The output bit rate of the encoders or transcoders is dependent also on the complexity of the content being coded. Following a channel change or start-up event, the scheduler 26 is controlled to transmit data for the relevant channel with priority over data for the other channels.

Abstract: Television receiver 1 has input circuitry 2 including tuners 3 and 4, hard disk unit HDD 5, all of which can input to demultiplex unit 6 and to the television monitor 7. A Picture-in-Picture capability is provided by palette-processing conversion and display on the OSD plane.

Abstract: A television receiver (1) has input circuitry (2) including tuners (3 and 4), hard disk unit HDD (5), all of which can input to demultiplex unit (6) and to the television monitor (7). A Picture-in-Picture facility is provided for specified channels for example with a common channel provider or with channels of related subject matter.

Abstract: A storage device 500 includes an input 405 for receiving a digital video stream complying with a predetermined video encoding standard via a digital video communication system. The stream includes a sequence of digital video frames, a sequence of program clock reference stamps (PCR) and a sequence of video presentation time stamps (PTS). A time-base modifier 510 replaces the PTS's by respective modified video presentation time stamps (M-PTS) based on a constant predetermined frame time between successive presentation time stamps and replaces the PCR's by respective modified program clock reference stamps (M-PCR) by scaling the PCR's using a scaling factor that depends on a ratio of an expected time between a video presentation time stamp j and a preceding video presentation time stamp j?n and an actual time between the video presentation time stamp j and the preceding video presentation time stamp j?n, where j?n>0. The expected time is n times the predetermined frame time.

Abstract: A remote control device 4 is for use with a television receiving apparatus 1. The television receiving apparatus 1 comprises a system controller 2, a receiver for receiving broadcast video data and supplemental textual data and a TV display 3 for displaying the data. The remote control device 4 is operable to communicate with the system controller 2 of the television receiving apparatus 1 and has it's own display 8 and user-operable control. The remote control device 4 comprises means responsive to the user operable control for requesting and downloading video and/or supplemental textual data received by the television receiving apparatus 1. This video and/or supplemental textual data is not currently displayed on the TV display, and is viewed by the user on the display 8 of the remote control device 4.