Abstract: A wide screen television apparatus comprises a memory for storing a set of video sources, a circuit for tuning to the set of video sources and a video signal processor. The video signal processor is coupled to the memory and to the tuning circuit, and develops a wide screen multiple picture display by selecting any one of the set of video sources for generating a main picture of the display and by selecting all of the set of video sources for generating supplemental pictures of the display, for example as three POP's. A remote control can be activated for choosing the set of video sources and for selecting the main picture from among the supplemental pictures. The multiple picture display is modified in a manner which identifies which one of the supplemental pictures corresponds to the main picture. An on-screen display indicator can be generated for the supplemental picture corresponding to the main picture.

Abstract: In a television receiver the voltage applied to the loudspeaker from the audio amplifier is low pass filtered and coupled to a threshold detector. Normal audio is attenuated so that the detector is not tripped, but steady DC is passed through the filter and trips the detector. The output of the detector is coupled to the X-ray protection circuit of the receiver which acts to shut the receiver "off".

Abstract: A commercial message timer, when enabled by a user, stores data indicative of a first tuned station and begins timing a predetermined time period. Upon expiration of the time period, the first tuned station is automatically reselected if it had been deselected after the timer was enabled. In this way a user can avoid a commercial message on a first channel by setting the timer and scanning through other channels, and yet have the receiver return automatically to the first channel at the end of a time period substantially equal to that of a typical commercial message. In another embodiment employing PIX-IN-PIX circuitry, the subject apparatus is responsive to the sequence of (1) enabling the timer and (2) changing channels for automatically moving the desired channel to the insert position. In response to the expiration of the timer period, the program displayed in the insert position is automatically returned to the main display position.