Abstract: Methods and apparatus for automatically receiving and using a media access control address in router communications. If an ISP will authorize network communication only with a particular media access control address, a router can automatically use a non-native media access control, i.e. the media access control address registered with the ISP.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and apparatus for automatically detecting a problem with a router cable. This can save unskilled users troubleshooting and/or installation time, and can save vendors and/or manufacturers expenses associated with end user assistance.

Abstract: A system and method for performing error correction on an SFAT format video signal which has been encoded using an error correction code ECC2, and generating a video signal reconstructed from the error-corrected input signal. The error code preferably is a cross interleave Reed-Solomon code. In a preferred embodiment, the system is capable of reconstructing the output video signal so that it has either SFA or SFAT format. Since an SFAT signal includes duobinary encoded data in its active video areas, and thus may be doubly error encoded using two error correction codes (ECC1 and ECC2), the invention is capable of generating from such a doubly encoded signal an ECC1 error-encoded video signal, in SFA (or SFAT) format, which has been error-corrected using error code ECC2. This capability is particularly advantageous where the invention is embodied in a video disk mastering system or method.

Abstract: A motor control method and apparatus employing a speed control loop and a phase control loop, each of which receives a clock signal (F.sub.-- TACH) indicative of the motor's measured phase and rotational frequency, and a synchronizing clock signal (F.sub.-- SYNC) indicative of the desired motor operating speed control loop generates two analog voltage signals, V.sub.-- TACH and V.sub.-- SYNC, from frequency signals F.sub.-- TACH and F.sub.-- SYNC, and generates an error voltage signal proportional to the difference between these two voltage signals. Each frequency signal is first converted into a binary number signal proportional to the associated motor period (inverse frequency). Each such binary number signal is then converted to an analog voltage signal having magnitude proportional to the motor frequency. Each analog voltage signal is thus produced by a two-step process employing the successive reciprocal (division) elements.