Abstract: A system includes processing hardware and a memory storing software code. The processing hardware executes the software code to receive automation data for media content having a default playback experience, analyze, using the automation data, at least one parameter of the media content, and generate, based on the analyzing, one or more automation instruction(s) for at least one portion(s) of the media content. The automation instruction(s) include at least one of: one or more bounding timestamps of the media content portion(s), an increased or reduced playback speed for the media content portion(s) relative to the default playback experience, or a variable playback speed for the media content portion(s). The software code is further executed to outputs the automation instruction(s) to a media delivery platform configured to distribute and control the quality of the media content or to a media player configured to automate playback of the media content.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method, comprising: receiving, by a media processor including a processor, spherical audiovisual media content from a content delivery network; rendering, by the media processor, video for a point of view in the spherical audiovisual media content at a display device coupled to the media processor; receiving, from a remote control device coupled to the media processor, a control signal panning the point of view, resulting in a new field of view; and generating, by the media processor, audio signals from the spherical audiovisual media content corresponding to the new field of view, wherein the audio signals are adapted to audio reproduction equipment coupled to the media processor. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, receiving content that includes a 360-degree video, determining that guidance is enabled with respect to the content, obtaining an input responsive to determining that the guidance is enabled, and obtaining the guidance with respect to a playback of the content, where the obtained guidance is based on the input. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method for spherical video streaming over a network by a processing system including a processor, the method including prefetching audio data for rendering the spherical video; determining whether there is a single source or a plurality of sources of audio in the audio data; responsive to a determination that there is only one dominant source of the audio in the audio data, prefetching video data in a field of view centered on spatial coordinates of the dominant source of audio; responsive to a determination that there is the plurality of sources of the audio in the audio data, sorting the plurality of sources of the audio according to an estimated sound source energy for each source in the plurality of sources, thereby creating a sorted list of the plurality of sources; and prefetching video data in plural fields of view centered on spatial coordinates of each audio source in the sorted list of the plurality of sources, wherein the prefetching is

Abstract: Concepts and technologies disclosed herein are directed to audio and video synchronization. According to one aspect disclosed herein, an audio-video (“AV”) synchronization system can simultaneously capture samples of a pre-encode media stream and a post-encode media stream. The pre-encode media stream can include AV content prior to being encoded. The post-encode media stream can include the AV content after being encoded. The AV synchronization system can align a pre-encode video component of the pre-encode media stream with a post-encode video component and can determine a video offset therebetween. The AV synchronization system can align a pre-encode audio component of the pre-encode media stream with a post-encode audio component of the post-encode media stream and can determine an audio offset therebetween. The AV synchronization system can then compare the video offset and the audio offset to determine if the post-encode media stream is synchronized with the pre-encode media stream.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method for spherical video streaming over a network by a processing system including a processor, the method including prefetching audio data for rendering the spherical video; determining whether there is a single source or a plurality of sources of audio in the audio data; responsive to a determination that there is only one dominant source of the audio in the audio data, prefetching video data in a field of view centered on spatial coordinates of the dominant source of audio; responsive to a determination that there is the plurality of sources of the audio in the audio data, sorting the plurality of sources of the audio according to an estimated sound source energy for each source in the plurality of sources, thereby creating a sorted list of the plurality of sources; and prefetching video data in plural fields of view centered on spatial coordinates of each audio source in the sorted list of the plurality of sources, wherein the prefetching is

Abstract: Concepts and technologies disclosed herein are directed to audio and video synchronization. According to one aspect disclosed herein, an audio-video (“AV”) synchronization system can simultaneously capture samples of a pre-encode media stream and a post-encode media stream. The pre-encode media stream can include AV content prior to being encoded. The post-encode media stream can include the AV content after being encoded. The AV synchronization system can align a pre-encode video component of the pre-encode media stream with a post-encode video component and can determine a video offset therebetween. The AV synchronization system can align a pre-encode audio component of the pre-encode media stream with a post-encode audio component of the post-encode media stream and can determine an audio offset therebetween. The AV synchronization system can then compare the video offset and the audio offset to determine if the post-encode media stream is synchronized with the pre-encode media stream.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method, comprising: receiving, by a media processor including a processor, spherical audiovisual media content from a content delivery network; rendering, by the media processor, video for a point of view in the spherical audiovisual media content at a display device coupled to the media processor; receiving, from a remote control device coupled to the media processor, a control signal panning the point of view, resulting in a new field of view; and generating, by the media processor, audio signals from the spherical audiovisual media content corresponding to the new field of view, wherein the audio signals are adapted to audio reproduction equipment coupled to the media processor. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, receiving content that includes a 360-degree video, determining that guidance is enabled with respect to the content, obtaining an input responsive to determining that the guidance is enabled, and obtaining the guidance with respect to a playback of the content, where the obtained guidance is based on the input. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method, comprising: receiving, by a media processor including a processor, spherical audiovisual media content from a content delivery network; rendering, by the media processor, video for a point of view in the spherical audiovisual media content at a display device coupled to the media processor; receiving, from a remote control device coupled to the media processor, a control signal panning the point of view, resulting in a new field of view; and generating, by the media processor, audio signals from the spherical audiovisual media content corresponding to the new field of view, wherein the audio signals are adapted to audio reproduction equipment coupled to the media processor. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method including obtaining media content and an identification of a plurality of points of interest in the media content, receiving a request from a user to view the media content, obtaining information about the user, identifying one or more highlight points based on the information about the user, presenting the media content to the user, and monitoring the user's consumption of the content, determining a field of view of the highlight point, and presenting a guide indicator in the field of view of the user to provide information about the highlight point. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, receiving content that includes a 360-degree video, determining that guidance is enabled with respect to the content, obtaining an input responsive to determining that the guidance is enabled, and obtaining the guidance with respect to a playback of the content, where the obtained guidance is based on the input. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: An example method performed by a processing system includes detecting a first scene cut in a source video that is provided as an input to a video distribution system. The video distribution system includes a plurality of processing stages for transforming the source video into a processed video that is suitable for distribution to viewers. The first scene cut is detected in the processed video that is output by the video distribution system. The processed video is a version of the source video that has been altered according to at least one of the plurality of processing stages. A first sub-segment of the source video is time-aligned with a second sub-segment of the processed video, using the first scene cut as a reference point for performing the time-aligning. A difference is computed between a picture quality metric of the first sub-segment and a picture quality metric of the second sub-segment.

Abstract: A method for spectrum recovery in spectral decoding of an audio signal, comprises obtaining of an initial set of spectral coefficients representing the audio signal, and determining a transition frequency. The transition frequency is adapted to a spectral content of the audio signal. Spectral holes in the initial set of spectral coefficients below the transition frequency are noise filled and the initial set of spectral coefficients are bandwidth extended above the transition frequency. Decoders and encoders being arranged for performing part of or the entire method are also illustrated.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method including obtaining media content and an identification of a plurality of points of interest in the media content, receiving a request from a user to view the media content, obtaining information about the user, identifying one or more highlight points based on the information about the user, presenting the media content to the user, and monitoring the user's consumption of the content, determining a field of view of the highlight point, and presenting a guide indicator in the field of view of the user to provide information about the highlight point. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method, comprising: receiving, by a media processor including a processor, spherical audiovisual media content from a content delivery network; rendering, by the media processor, video for a point of view in the spherical audiovisual media content at a display device coupled to the media processor; receiving, from a remote control device coupled to the media processor, a control signal panning the point of view, resulting in a new field of view; and generating, by the media processor, audio signals from the spherical audiovisual media content corresponding to the new field of view, wherein the audio signals are adapted to audio reproduction equipment coupled to the media processor. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for spectrum recovery in spectral decoding of an audio signal, comprises obtaining of an initial set of spectral coefficients representing the audio signal, and determining a transition frequency. The transition frequency is adapted to a spectral content of the audio signal. Spectral holes in the initial set of spectral coefficients below the transition frequency are noise filled and the initial set of spectral coefficients are bandwidth extended above the transition frequency. Decoders and encoders being arranged for performing part of or the entire method are also illustrated.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method including obtaining media content and an identification of a plurality of points of interest in the media content, receiving a request from a user to view the media content, obtaining information about the user, identifying one or more highlight points based on the information about the user, presenting the media content to the user, and monitoring the user's consumption of the content, determining a field of view of the highlight point, and presenting a guide indicator in the field of view of the user to provide information about the highlight point. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method, comprising: receiving, by a media processor including a processor, spherical audiovisual media content from a content delivery network; rendering, by the media processor, video for a point of view in the spherical audiovisual media content at a display device coupled to the media processor; receiving, from a remote control device coupled to the media processor, a control signal panning the point of view, resulting in a new field of view; and generating, by the media processor, audio signals from the spherical audiovisual media content corresponding to the new field of view, wherein the audio signals are adapted to audio reproduction equipment coupled to the media processor. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method for spherical video streaming over a network by a processing system including a processor, the method including prefetching audio data for rendering the spherical video; determining whether there is a single source or a plurality of sources of audio in the audio data; responsive to a determination that there is only one dominant source of the audio in the audio data, prefetching video data in a field of view centered on spatial coordinates of the dominant source of audio; responsive to a determination that there is the plurality of sources of the audio in the audio data, sorting the plurality of sources of the audio according to an estimated sound source energy for each source in the plurality of sources, thereby creating a sorted list of the plurality of sources; and prefetching video data in plural fields of view centered on spatial coordinates of each audio source in the sorted list of the plurality of sources, wherein the prefetching is