Abstract: The invention involves collective management of video and audio content in a content provider. The video and audio content is available in multiple potential versions, e.g. in the form of scalable media or media pre-encoded to fixed bandwidth levels. The video and audio data is associated with bandwidth share information enabling estimation of a respective apportionment of a total available bandwidth to the video and audio content. The provider uses this share information and information of the total assignable bandwidth level for providing a respective video version and audio version from the multiple potential versions. This allows for increased user-quality when rendering the video and audio data as optimal video and audio version can be dynamically provided during the media session.

Abstract: In a method for transmitting a multimedia presentation comprising a number of media objects: the media objects are organized in a multimedia container or container format; identifiers referring to the media objects are organized in the same container; and an identifiable file coordinating the media objects is also provided in the container.

Abstract: The embodiments of the present invention relate to methods and arrangements for accomplishing trick modes. This is achieved by assigning samples within a track to sample groups, wherein all samples within a sample group belong to one temporal level and by allowing the client to access one temporal level independently of lower temporal levels. In this way, the flexibility for the client regarding play out of different frame rates is increased which can result in a lower bandwidth utilization.

Abstract: A face data acquirer includes an image capture module arranged to capture an image from a video stream of a video conference. A face detection module is arranged to determine a subset of the image, the subset representing a face. An identity acquisition module is arranged to acquire an identity of a video conference participant coupled to the face represented by the subset of the image. A face extraction module is arranged to extract face data from the subset of the image and to determine whether to store the extracted face data for subsequent face recognition. A corresponding end user video conference device, server, method, computer program and computer program product are also provided.

Abstract: A method of controlling adaptive HTTP streaming of media content between a HTTP server and a HTTP client in a communication system, in which system media content is arranged as a plurality of periods, and each such period comprises a plurality of representations of media segments, which method includes the steps of providing (S10) temporal alignment information for the media segments of the plurality of representations, which temporal alignment information provides indications about a temporal relation between the segments of the plurality of representations of the media content. Further, the method includes providing (S20) key frame location information for the media segments, which key frame location information provides indications about locations of key frames in the media segments of the plurality of representations.

Abstract: In a method of enabling representation switching during HTTP streaming sessions in a communication system, arranging (S10) available representations into groups, providing (S20) information identifying the groups and their respective representations, and switching (S30) representation based on the provided group identify information.

Abstract: Metadata defining decoding and rendering instructions for media content to be co-rendered in a media presentation is divided and distributed as track fragments (15, 16) provided in different media container files (11). Track fragment adjustment information (20) is included in at least one such track fragment (15) in order to define rendering timing relationships between media content portions defined by the track fragments (15, 16) in a current media container file (11). The rendering timing relationships enable a correct time alignment of the playback of the media content to be co-rendered to achieve a synchronized media presentation. The track fragment adjustment information (20) is particularly advantageous in connection with tuning in or a random access in a stream of media container files (1, 11) comprising fragmented metadata.

Abstract: Methods and arrangements for compression and de-compression of N-stream multi-view 3D video in data handling entities, e.g. a data providing node and a data presenting node. The methods and arrangements involve multiplexing (802) of at least some of the N streams of the N-stream multi-view 3D video into one pseudo 2D stream, which appears as a 2D video stream to a 2D encoder. Further, the pseudo 2D stream is provided (804) to a replaceable 2D encoder, for encoding of the pseudo 2D stream, resulting in encoded data having a 2D codec format. This codec-agnostic modular approach to 3D compression and de-compression ensures a fast and convenient access to flexible virtual 3D codecs for handling of N-stream multi-view 3D video.

Abstract: Supplemental processing information (52, 54) defining post-decoding instructions for processing decoded media content is co-organized in a file (1) together with a pseudo-identifier of a media codec employed for encoding the media content. The co-organization trigger abortion of decoding of the media content by a legacy media terminal (210) that does not recognize the pseudo-identifier but enables decoding of the media content by a media terminal (200) that recognizes the pseudo-identifier to thereby enable post-decoding processing of the decoded media content using the supplemental processing information (52, 54). The co-organization thereby prevents legacy media terminals (210) that cannot use the supplemental processing information from decoding the media content and rendering the media content in a media presentation.

Abstract: The invention teaches a media container file comprising media data organized into media source blocks. Forward error correction (FEC) redundancy data is pre-calculated for the different source blocks and organized into the container file as different FEC reservoirs. The container file also comprises meta data providing an association between the media source blocks and the respective FEC reservoirs. The container file can be employed by a media server in a media session for compiling media data packets to be transmitted to requesting clients without the need of extensive data processing and FEC calculation.

Abstract: A method of seeking in a rich media stream provided from a multimedia server to at least one multimedia client, wherein the method may be executed in an encoder of a multimedia server or a decoder or a multimedia client. A seeking instruction is inserted into the media stream at time instance X, comprising an offset time instance Y, in order to be used for seeking at a global time rate. A method for enabling synchronization in a rich media stream wherein the synchronization is based on a global timeline is also provided.

Abstract: The invention teaches a media container file comprising media data organized into media source blocks. The media source blocks are partitioned into source symbols that can be processed by a forward error correction (FEC) algorithm for generation of FEC redundancy data. Information of this source block partitioning is included in the file in addition to the source blocks. The container file also comprises meta data providing an association between the media source blocks and the partitioning information. The container file can be employed by a media server in a media session for compiling media data packets to be transmitted to requesting clients without the need of extensive data processing before calculating FEC data.

Abstract: A media container file (1) is generated by organizing media data (2; 3) defined by a media track (12) in the file (1). Sub-track information (72, 74) identifying media data portions (4, 5; 6, 7, 8) of the media data (2; 3) is orga-nized for each sub-track of multiple sub-tracks defined in the media track (12). At least one of the sub-tracks is assigned selection information (62, 64) defining a selective processing of the media data portion (4, 5;6, 7, 8) defined by the sub-track in relation to other media data organized in the media container file (1). The media data (2, 3) advantageously relate to layered media or media defining DATA multiple camera views which are organized into sub-tracks (12). The selection information (62, 64) allows selection among tracks (12) and sub-tracks when set-ting up a media session and switching between tracks (12) and sub-tracks during such a media session.

Abstract: A file reading entity, such as a server or a client, and a method in the file reading entity for handling a fragmented media file provided from a file creating entity during HTTP streaming with adaptive progressive downloading. Once it has been determined that the media file comprise at least one alternative movie fragment, constituting an alternative to an associated movie fragment, one of these fragments is selected, such that is can then be transmitted or played out in a conventional manner. A file creating entity configured to provide a file comprising alternative movie fragments is also provided.

Abstract: In a method for transmitting a multimedia presentation comprising a number of media objects: the media objects are organized in a multimedia container or container format; identifiers referring to the media objects are organized in the same container; and an identifiable file coordinating the media objects is also provided in the container.

Abstract: Co-processing of a video frame (32) and its associated depth map (34) suitable for free viewpoint television involves detecting respective edges (70, 71, 80, 81) in the video frame (32) and the depth map (34). The edges (70, 71, 80, 81) are aligned and used to identify any pixels (90-92) in the depth map (34) or the video frame (32) having incorrect depth values or color values based on the positions of the pixels in the depth map (34)or the video frame (32) relative an edge (80) in 5 the depth map (34) and a corresponding, aligned edge (70) in the video frame (32). The depth values or color values of the identified pixels (90-92) can then be corrected in order to improve the accuracy of the depth map (32) or video frame (34).

Abstract: A media container file (30) is generated by organizing encoded video data representative of multiple camera views (22-28) of a video content as one or more video tracks (32) in the media container file (30). A view arrangement representation (34) indicative of a predefined deployment and position relation-ships of camera views (22-28) is selected among multiple different such predefined view arrangement representations. The view identifiers (36) of the multiple camera views (22-28) are included in the selected view arrangement representation (34). The view arrangement representation (34) with the included view identifiers (36) is organized in the media container file (30) relative the at least one video track (32).

Abstract: Methods and arrangements in a client node and a server node support a decision on decoding and playout of a certain content in the client node. The methods and arrangements relate to the determining, conveying and obtaining of information related to the characteristics (level) required for decoding and playing out the certain media content at a non-regular playout rate. The method and arrangement in the client node further relate to determining, based on the obtained information, which playout rate(s) is/are supported by the client node in regard of level. The methods and arrangements enable the client node to refrain from attempting to decode and play out of the content at a non-regular rate requiring a level which is not supported by the client node.

Abstract: Multi-view media data is generated by providing encoded media data representative of multiple media views of a media content. Each of the media views (22-28) is associated with a structural priority identifier (36) indicative of an encoding inter-relationship of the media data relative media data of at least another media view(24-28). A content priority identifier (38) is determined for preferably each media view(22-28). The content priority identifier (38) is, in contrast to the structural priority identifier(36), indicative of the rendering importance level of the media data of the media view(22-28). The determination and inclusion of the content priority identifiers(38) provides an improved processing of the media data, for instance in connection with a selective pruning, rendering, and/or protection application of the multi-view media data.

Abstract: In a method for transmitting a multimedia presentation comprising a number of media objects: the media objects are organized in a multimedia container or container format; identifiers referring to the media objects are organized in the same container; and an identifiable file coordinating the media objects is also provided in the container.