Abstract: A method and apparatus relating to a receiver/decoder in a digital television environment, including logical devices (including logical demultiplexer devices) for representing physical and other devices in the receiver/decoder. The method includes the instantiation of devices by the receiver/decoder as required to support functionality thereof. The method further includes the use of multiple demultiplexers/remultiplexers, for example in the recording of more than one service simultaneously; and a control word device for the management of control word operations; the use of two or more tuners. Various elements of a digital television system (such as a receiver/decoder and a set top box) are also disclosed.

Abstract: A universal remote control (100) is described, the universal remote control (100) including a configuration port (155) operative to receive a download of configuration information sent to a device (110), the configuration information defining a communication protocol for sending control information from the universal remote control (100) to the device (110), and a processor (148) operative to determine if the configuration has previously been downloaded to the universal remote control (100) and in response to a negative result of the determining configuration request a download of the configuration information from the device (110) to the universal remote control (100), and configure the universal remote control (100) in accordance with the received configuration information thereby configuring the universal remote control (100) to send control information to the device (110). Related methods and apparatus are also described.

Abstract: A method of processing video data in a receiver/decoder including at least one port (31) for receiving data and memory means (40) including a data buffer area (45A0, 45A1) for storing incoming data for display, and a graphics buffer area (45Ai) for storing graphics data, said method including passing graphics data stored in the graphics buffer area to the data buffer area for combination with display data stored therein.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a routing apparatus for routing data in a receiver/decoder. The routing apparatus comprises means for receiving realtime user routing control information and means for routing the data from an input to an output, to storage means, and to both the output and the storage means in accordance with the received realtime user routing control information. In other aspects, a command for controlling a data transfer of a bit stream between a source and a destination, where the command is adapted to change at least one of the source and destination of the transfer, and apparatus for receiving and processing data comprising means for receiving the data and means for synchronising the data in two or more different modes, are also disclosed.