Abstract: A method and apparatus for storing a compressed video stream or an uncompressed video stream is disclosed. The uncompressed video stream may be ZOOM VIDEO data. The compressed video stream may be a TRANSPORT STREAM data from a High Definition Television (HDTV) broadcast. A video graphics adapter is configured to properly receive one of the two types of video data. The received data and control signals are monitored to provide a second set of control of data signal which are used by a packer and an window control to provide data of a predetermined width and control to an address generator. The data is buffered within a graphics memory such as a frame buffer. The graphics memory can be written to system memory when full, or accessed by the system memory controller during the fill operation if a multi-ported memory is used.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that includes processing for restricting usage of video signals in accordance with associated access restriction data begins by detecting the presence of the associated access restriction data as video signals are being received. The processing continues by interpreting usage instructions regarding the video signal. Such usage instructions may be requesting a digital copy of the video signals be made, sending the video signals to a television output, and/or sending a file of the digital video signal to another party via a file transfer. The processing continues by restricting usage of these video signals as requested by the usage instruction when prohibited by the associated access restriction data.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting validity of video transmissions in accordance with one of a plurality of channel identification plans is be accomplished by first detecting selection of a channel, wherein the channel corresponds to a particular video transmission. The signal strength of the video transmission is then tested over a frequency range relating to the channel. When the signal strength of the video transmission at a particular frequency exceeds a threshold, a video tuner utilizes the frequency to detect the video transmission. Upon detecting the video transmission, the video tuner outputs a base band signal of the video transmission to a video decoder. The video decoder converts the base band signal into a digitized video, which is checked to determine whether it includes a synchronization signal. If the digitized video includes a synchronization signal, the video transmission is deemed to be valid, i.e., it is in accordance with one of the plurality of channel identification plans.