Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a digital interface of an internet protocol encoder including a connector for connecting to a cable delivering a signal, and a sensor at the digital interface for sensing a characteristic of the signal. The sensed characteristic is a clock rate corresponding to an asynchronous serial interface signal or a data rate corresponding to a high-definition serial digital interface signal. An automatic switch routes the signal to a first decoder portion or a second decoder portion in accordance with the sensed characteristic. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a set top box comprising a controller to receive media content over an Internet Protocol Television network, detect Secondary Audio Programming (SAP) content associated with the media content, present an SAP indicator with the media content to a user when the SAP content is detected for the media content, receive a selection of the SAP content by the user, and present the media content with the selected SAP content. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A set-top box device includes a detector module and an electronic programming guide module. The detector module is configured to detect a closed captioning flag in a video stream, and to cache electronic programming guide information for the video stream if the video stream includes the closed captioning flag. The detector module is further configured to create a closed captioning electronic programming guide including the electronic programming guide information. The electronic programming guide module is in communication with the detector module, and is configured to output the closed captioning electronic programming guide.

Abstract: A closed caption detection system includes a video line selector that outputs a selected line of a video signal, a luminance detector that outputs a luminance level of the selected line, and an alarm that compares the luminance level with a threshold level and provides an alarm based on the result. A method of detecting closed captioning data includes selecting a television channel, decoding closed captioning in the channel, detecting a luminance level of a closed captioning line of the television signal, comparing the luminance level with a threshold level, waiting for a time if luminance level of the selected line is less than the threshold luminance level, and then re-detecting luminance level and re-comparing the luminance levels, then, if the luminance level is less than the threshold level, indicating the absence of closed captioning data.

Abstract: A closed caption detection system includes a video line selector that outputs a selected line of a video signal, a luminance detector that outputs a luminance level of the selected line, and an alarm that compares the luminance level with a threshold level and provides an alarm based on the result. A method of detecting closed captioning data includes selecting a television channel, decoding closed captioning in the channel, detecting a luminance level of a closed captioning line of the television signal, comparing the luminance level with a threshold level, waiting for a time if luminance level of the selected line is less than the threshold luminance level, and then re-detecting luminance level and re-comparing the luminance levels, then, if the luminance level is less than the threshold level, indicating the absence of closed captioning data.

Abstract: A set-top box device includes a detector module and an electronic programming guide module. The detector module is configured to detect a closed captioning flag in a video stream, and to cache electronic programming guide information for the video stream if the video stream includes the closed captioning flag. The detector module is further configured to create a closed captioning electronic programming guide including the electronic programming guide information. The electronic programming guide module is in communication with the detector module, and is configured to output the closed captioning electronic programming guide.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a set top box comprising a controller to receive media content over an Internet Protocol Television network, detect Secondary Audio Programming (SAP) content associated with the media content, present an SAP indicator with the media content to a user when the SAP content is detected for the media content, receive a selection of the SAP content by the user, and present the media content with the selected SAP content. Other embodiments are disclosed.