Abstract: The present invention may be an apparatus, method and/or system related to a playback device, playback media, and a network service utilizing retail information specifying where the playback media was purchased to allow development of media content that changes behavior based on certain conditions (e.g., a priority list based on the retail information specifying where the playback media was purchased), network service availability, and/or user selections. Accordingly, content providers may author or provide a single version of the playback media which may be sold to consumers via different retailers, while simultaneously providing business and/or advertising opportunities specific to the retailer that sold the particular media.

Abstract: A system and method for searching a network such as the Internet based in part on relationships in a social network is described. Descriptive data and searching parameters associated with various users is collected and stored such that users can group themselves based on the descriptive data. Information that is deemed by users to be relevant to a particular group is collected and organized in a database to be used in information gathering for future searches by the users, in addition to other resources, such as other search engines. Through the system and method for searching a network, a group of users decide what information is highly relevant content information for the group. The system also allows a user to rank resources from which to gather information.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for indicating the status of a track in a multi-track recorder is described. An indicator light capable of outputting different colored lights is used to indicate the status of a track in the multi-track recorder. The color and the blinking sequence of the indicator light indicates the status of the track.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for indicating the status of a track in a multi-track recorder is described. An indicator light capable of outputting different colored lights is used to indicate the status of a track in the multi-track recorder. The color and the blinking sequence of the indicator light indicates the status of the track.

Abstract: The system and method of the present invention provides a structure and method for implementing a configurable and scalable A/V system that enables a user to perform processes across one or more A/V processing devices coupled together via a network. In one embodiment, a plurality of configurable A/V systems are coupled via a network. At least two of the A/V systems include digital signal processors (DSPs) that. are programmable. The A/V systems also include other resources, such as data storage, synchronizers, analog to digital converters, digital to analog converters, etc., to support the variety of audio/video processing to be performed. In one embodiment, the user inputs at least one task to performed. The task is broken down into basic processing components or primitives. These primitives are defined in a processor descriptor block maintained by the system. The processor descriptor block indicates the processing requirements and distributability of the process across the network.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for indicating the status of a track in a multi-track recorder is described. An indicator light capable of outputting different colored lights is used to indicate the status of a track in the multi-track recorder. The color and the blinking sequence of the indicator light indicates the status of the track.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for indicating the status of a track in a multi-track recorder is described. An indicator light capable of outputting different colored lights is used to indicate the status of a track in the multi-track recorder. The color and the blinking sequence of the indicator light indicates the status of the track.

Abstract: The system and method of the present invention provides enhanced surround sound effects. In one embodiment, 90.degree. phase shift and copy of the modified head related transfer functions (HRTF) are applied to each rear sound signal. The modified HRTF for each rear signal is generated by removing the head related transfer function corresponding to the front center signal from the HRTF corresponding to the rear sound signal. This provides the audible effect of distinguishing more clearly sounds originating in front of the listener or to the rear of the listener while not limiting the perceived bandwidth of the signal. The rear signals corresponding to the first channel are inverted. The front and rear signals for each corresponding channel are then combined. The two channels, generated can be stored on media, such as film, and subsequently read and input to a surround sound decoder to generate enhanced surround sound output.

Abstract: The system and method of the present invention provides enhanced surround sound effects. In one embodiment, 90.degree. phase shift and copy of the modified head related transfer functions (HRTF) are applied to each rear sound signal. The modified HRTF for each rear signal is generated by removing the head related transfer function corresponding to the front center signal from the HRTF corresponding to the rear sound signal. This provides the audible effect of distinguishing more clearly sounds originating in front of the listener or to the rear of the listener while not limiting the perceived bandwidth of the signal. The rear signals corresponding to the first channel are inverted. The front and rear signals for each corresponding channel are then combined. The two channels, generated can be stored on media, such as film, and subsequently read and input to a surround sound decoder to generate enhanced surround sound output.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving the user interface of a multi-track recording device is described. An alphanumeric track display output a network track number for each track in the multi-track recording device. A display mode switch switches the track display to output other relevant status information regarding whether a track utilizes a standard gain and whether a track is slipped.