Abstract: There is a desire to simultaneously record two or more programmes (sources 28). There is hereby disclosed a method of and apparatus for recording two or more independent video programmes simultaneously to a recordable DVD (digital versatile disk) (10) while maintaining conformance to the DVD Video specification. The DVD Video specification does not permit gaps between recorded programmes. The novel apparatus uses the multi-angle feature of DVD Video for multiplexing received data streams representing the A/V programmes from different tuners or a television multiplex into one digital video data stream (30) and recording the stream to the recording medium (10). The DVD table of contents is written so that when played back on a digital video player, the two viewing angles appear as separate programmes, and the user's ability to change angle can be disabled automatically to conceal the manner of recording.

Abstract: Various methods are disclosed for producing an edited MPEG audio/video stream from first and second streams recorded in a transport-stream format normally intended for broadcast purposes. According to one implementation, a bridge sequence is generated which recodes data from both of the original streams, in the region of the edit point. Padding packets are inserted in the elementary streams to adjust a continuity counter values so as to allow continuous decoding across the join between bridge sequence and second sequence proper. In another implementation, seamless playback is not required, the bridge sequence is omitted, and various process are implemented “on-the-fly” to generate an edited stream compliant with MPEG-2 specification. To this end, exit and entry points are constrained to certain types of coded pictures, and offset between time-bases is adjusted to avoid buffer overflow.

Abstract: Digital video signals are encrypted by a broadcaster based on a key stream and transmitted to a receiver. At the receiver, the signals are decrypted using the broadcaster's keys and processed in unencrypted form to improve recording and/or playback operation. The processed signals are then re-encrypted using the broadcaster's keys, with appropriate time-shifting to align key changes with suitable boundaries in the video stream. The resulting encrypted signals are stored on a storage medium.

Abstract: A method of creating an audio-video stream comprises multiplexing a video component, an audio component, a content reference identifier, and a semantic data packet containing information on the relationship between the video component and the content reference identifier. Apparatus for receiving the audio-video stream, and apparatus for transmitting the audio/video stream are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of acquiring repetitively broadcast data comprises acquiring the data in fragments, acquiring a document comprising information on the fragments, examining the information, and re-acquiring the fragments according to the information.

Abstract: A method of creating an audio/video stream comprises multiplexing a video component, an audio component and a content reference identifier, the content reference identifier is associated with the video component and the audio component in an MPEG transport stream. Apparatus for transmitting and receiving the audio/video stream isalso described.

Abstract: The application relates to a method of and devices for encoding an information stream (20) into a variable bit rate (VBR) encoded information stream (24). The application discloses a method of estimating the relation between the variable bit rate, the recording time and the storage capacity of a record carrier. The deviation of the estimated recording time from the true recording time is kept within predefined limits and it is prevented that deviations from several successive recordings accumulate.