Abstract: A method includes receiving, at a server, channel change request data from a media device. The channel change request data specifies a requested channel that is associated with a plurality of multimedia streams. Each multimedia stream of the plurality of multimedia streams has a corresponding content format. The method includes determining, at the server, an available bandwidth of a service to a premises associated with the media device. The method includes selecting, at the server, a particular content format based on the available bandwidth and a multimedia stream of the plurality of multimedia streams that has the particular content format. The method also includes sending an identification of the multimedia stream from the server to the media device.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a media processor that includes a memory and a controller coupled to the memory. The controller can be programmed to receive media content from a set top box where the set top box is a separate device from the media processor and where the media content includes video content. The controller can also be programmed to receive supplemental content from a mobile communication device where the supplemental content is based on reading of a two dimensional bar code by the mobile communication device, and where the supplemental content comprises an image. The controller can further be programmed to generate augmented content by overlaying the supplemental content with the media content and to provide the augmented content to a display device for presentation.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a remote controller adapted to present a graphical user interface (GUI) with a first portion for selecting one or more set-top boxes (STBs) and one or more user accounts, and with a second portion corresponding to a console comprising a plurality of selectable icons, disable access to at least a portion of the plurality of selectable icons of the console, detect a selection of one of the STBs, detect a selection of one of the user accounts, establish a communication session with the selected STB, and enable access to the plurality of selectable icons of the console to manage operations of the selected STB. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method for detecting, by a system including at least one processor, a presence of an object from sensor data generated by a sensor device, retrieving, by the system, from a memory device a plurality of profiles biometrically descriptive of approved objects, asserting, by the system, an alarm responsive to determining from the sensor data that the detected object is not biometrically correlated to any of the plurality of profiles, classifying, by the system, the detected object as an authorized object responsive to determining from the sensor data that the detected object is biometrically correlated to at least one of the plurality of profiles, and notifying, by the system, at least one neighboring device responsive to asserting the alarm or responsive to classifying the detected object as the authorized object. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: The efficiency of real-time distribution of multimedia content over a heterogeneous network is optimized by locally, rather than centrally, adapting the content to conform to the capabilities limitations of the network. Multimedia content travels from a central location along the network backbone. When received by each of a system of dispersed media servers, that media server adapts the content by compensating for any QoS limitations of the downstream network segments. For example, the backbone of the communications network may consist of a satellite uplink. The dispersed media servers receive and replicate the content as required for distribution to unicast segments downstream rather than doing so at the source of the content, and thus multiple streams of identical content need not be carried on the backbone. Each dispersed server is programmed to optimize the transmission to conform to the transmission parameters of each adjacent and downstream segment of the network.

Abstract: A particular method includes receiving video content at a set-top box device. Scene data defining a three-dimensional scene is accessed, where the scene data includes object data defining at least one three-dimensional graphical object, and where the scene data is accessed based at least in part on information associated with the video content. The method further includes processing the object data to render the at least one three-dimensional graphical object. The rendered at least one three-dimensional graphical object is overlaid on a portion of the video content, thereby generating dynamically modified video content. The method includes sending the dynamically modified video content to a display device.

Abstract: A method includes receiving data from a communication device at a processor of a proxy device, the data requesting a recording of media content. The method includes, sending a first command to a first media recording device and a second command to a second media recording device. The first command instructs the first media recording device to generate a first recording based on the media content, and the second command instructs the second media recording device to generate a second recording based on the media content. The first recording has a first file format and the second recording has a second file format. The second file format is compatible with a portable device.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, computer-readable storage medium having computer instructions to receive from a media processor one or more scaling characteristics of a three-dimensional (3D) image, present a user interface (UI) for controlling a presentation of the 3D image at a presentation device communicatively coupled to the media processor, wherein the UI is adapted to the scaling characteristics of the 3D image, detect a manipulation of the UI, and transmit to the media processor instructions for adapting the presentation of the 3D image at the presentation device according to the detected manipulation of the UI. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, computer-readable storage medium having computer instructions to receive from a media processor one or more scaling characteristics of a three-dimensional (3D) image, present a user interface (UI) for controlling a presentation of the 3D image at a presentation device communicatively coupled to the media processor, wherein the UI is adapted to the scaling characteristics of the 3D image, detect a manipulation of the UI, and transmit to the media processor instructions for adapting the presentation of the 3D image at the presentation device according to the detected manipulation of the UI. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed that include receiving data at a proxy device specifying a first command to record media content at a first media recording device. In one embodiment, a second command is sent from the proxy device to the first media recording device to record the media content. In response to the second command, the first media recording device records the media content in a first file format. In one embodiment, a third command is sent from the proxy device to a second media recording device to record the media content. In response to the third command, the second media recording device records the media content in a second file format that is different than the first file format. In one embodiment, the second file format is compatible with a portable device.

Abstract: A method includes receiving, at a server, channel change request data from a media device. The channel change request data specifies a requested channel that is associated with a plurality of multimedia streams. Each multimedia stream of the plurality of multimedia streams has a corresponding content format. The method includes determining, at the server, an available bandwidth of a service to a premises associated with the media device. The method includes selecting, at the server, a particular content format based on the available bandwidth and a multimedia stream of the plurality of multimedia streams that has the particular content format. The method also includes sending an identification of the multimedia stream from the server to the media device.

Abstract: A system that determines first data according to data associated with a first number of media content items accessed by equipment of a user. A request is determined from the equipment of the user to receive media content items that are associated with the first data and an index category of an indexed media content items guide. The indexed content items guide is searched to identify those media content items of a second number of media content items that have indexed content items guide data associated with the index category and the first data. Search results including a third number of media content items are determined based on the searching of the indexed content items guide. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A particular method includes detecting a channel change request at a set-top box. The channel change request specifies a requested channel that is associated with a plurality of multimedia streams, where each multimedia stream has a corresponding content format. A particular multimedia stream is selected based on an available bandwidth of a service to a premises of the set-top box. Alternately, or in addition, the particular multimedia stream may be selected based on an output setting of the set-top box, scheduled recordings at a digital video recorder associated with the set-top box, available storage space at the digital video recorder, and other factors. In one example, the method may implement channel proxy functionality, reducing redundancy and complexity at an electronic program guide and simplifying a channel selection process for a user.

Abstract: A hierarchical indexing system, which includes a plurality of indexing servers and a search agent. The plurality of indexing servers are configured to index electronic programming guide data. The search agent is in communication with the plurality of indexing servers. The search agent is configured to receive a request to display multimedia programs associated with multimedia programs frequently being accessed by a device, to search the indexed electronic programming guide data for multimedia programs associated with the frequently accessed multimedia programs, and to output a favorites list of multimedia programs based on the indexed electronic programming guide data and the frequently accessed multimedia programs.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product for performing a method for presenting multimedia data are disclosed. The method includes but is not limited to detecting insertion of a portable storage device into a first end user device; automatically launching transfer of multimedia data and Meta data describing the multimedia data from the first end user device to the portable storage device; transferring the multimedia data from the first end user device to the portable storage device; detecting insertion of the portable storage device into a second end user device; automatically launching transfer of multimedia data and Meta data describing the multimedia data from the portable storage device to the second end user device; and transferring the multimedia data from the portable storage device to the second end user device.

Abstract: In some cases, a method includes receiving first control data from a proxy device at a proxy controller. The first control data is prevented from being received at a remote control signal receiver associated with a media device. The proxy controller may determine second control data associated with recording a multimedia content item at a first digital video recorder associated with the media device and third control data associated with recording the multimedia content item at a second digital video recorder that is accessible to one or more communication devices. The proxy controller may communicate the second control data to the media device via the proxy device.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a remote controller adapted to present a graphical user interface (GUI) with a first portion for selecting one or more set-top boxes (STBs) and one or more user accounts, and with a second portion corresponding to a console comprising a plurality of selectable icons, disable access to at least a portion of the plurality of selectable icons of the console, detect a selection of one of the STBs, detect a selection of one of the user accounts, establish a communication session with the selected STB, and enable access to the plurality of selectable icons of the console to manage operations of the selected STB. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method includes receiving first control data at a proxy controller from a proxy remote control signal receiver device. The first control data is associated with execution of a first action at a first device. The method includes determining second control data at the proxy controller. The second control data is associated with execution of a second action at the first device. The second action is at least one of different from, or additional to, and based upon the first action. The method includes communicating the second control data to the proxy remote control signal receiver device. The proxy remote control signal receiver device is configured to communicate the second control data to the first device.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a remote controller adapted to present a graphical user interface (GUI) with a first portion for selecting one or more set-top boxes (STBs) and one or more user accounts, and with a second portion corresponding to a console comprising a plurality of selectable icons, disable access to at least a portion of the plurality of selectable icons of the console, detect a selection of one of the STBs, detect a selection of one of the user accounts, establish a communication session with the selected STB, and enable access to the plurality of selectable icons of the console to manage operations of the selected STB. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A particular computing system includes a processor and a network interface to receive media content from one or more media recorder devices. The media content is transcoded into a portable media format. The computing system also includes a storage module executable by the processor to store the received media content to a data storage device. The computing system further includes a sideloading module executable by the processor to sideload stored media content from the data storage device to one or more first endpoint devices. The computing system also includes a streaming module executable by the processor to stream the stored media content from the data storage device to one or more second endpoint devices. The computing system further includes a backup module executable by the processor to transmit the stored media content from the data storage device to a second data storage device.