Abstract: APIs discussed herein promote efficient and timely interoperability between hardware and software components within the media processing pipelines of media content players. A PhysMemDataStructure API facilitates a hardware component's direct access to information within a memory used by a software component, to enable the hardware component to use direct memory access techniques to obtain the contents of the memory, instead of using processor cycles to execute copy commands. The PhysMemDataStructure API exposes one or more fields of data structures associated with units of media content stored in a memory used by a software component, and the exposed fields store information about the physical properties of the memory locations of the units of media content. SyncHelper APIs are used for obtaining information from, and passing information to, hardware components, which information is used to adjust the hardware components' timing for preparing media samples of synchronously-presentable media content streams.

Abstract: APIs discussed herein promote efficient and timely interoperability between hardware and software components within the media processing pipelines of media content players. A PhysMemDataStructure API facilitates a hardware component's direct access to information within a memory used by a software component, to enable the hardware component to use direct memory access techniques to obtain the contents of the memory, instead of using processor cycles to execute copy commands. The PhysMemDataStructure API exposes one or more fields of data structures associated with units of media content stored in a memory used by a software component, and the exposed fields store information about the physical properties of the memory locations of the units of media content. SyncHelper APIs are used for obtaining information from, and passing information to, hardware components, which information is used to adjust the hardware components' timing for preparing media samples of synchronously-presentable media content streams.

Abstract: APIs discussed herein promote efficient and timely interoperability between hardware and software components within the media processing pipelines of media content players. A PhysMemDataStructure API facilitates a hardware component's direct access to information within a memory used by a software component, to enable the hardware component to use direct memory access techniques to obtain the contents of the memory, instead of using processor cycles to execute copy commands. The PhysMemDataStructure API exposes one or more fields of data structures associated with units of media content stored in a memory used by a software component, and the exposed fields store information about the physical properties of the memory locations of the units of media content. SyncHelper APIs are used for obtaining information from, and passing information to, hardware components, which information is used to adjust the hardware components' timing for preparing media samples of synchronously-presentable media content streams.

Abstract: Techniques and tools for rating computer products, and communicating the rating between users, manufactures, vendors, and/or testing organizations, are described. A rating for hardware, software, clusters of computers, servers, and other computing products can be determined by comparing the system's attributes, capabilities, and features with rating requirements. A rating level is determined for the computer products based on a set of requirements and analysis of the products (e.g., by a computer running a rating tool). Once the computer product is rated, its “score” can be compared to other computing products to determine compatibility.

Abstract: A method of determining a performance characteristic of a system is accomplished through the use of descriptive statistics and key ratios. A predetermined amount of measurements are taken to test a system performance characteristic. The measurements are compiled and descriptive statistics and key ratios are determined from the measurements. The descriptive statistics and key ratios are analyzed to determine if a satisfactory measurement of the system performance was determined. If a satisfactory measurement for the system performance was not determined, additional measurements are taken until the descriptive statistics and key ratios indicate a satisfactory measurement for the system performance was determined. Once a satisfactory measurement for the system performance is determined, the value is recorded and stored.

Abstract: Methods and systems for obtaining the performance characteristics of a computing product are described. Obtaining a computing product's attributes, capabilities, and features includes assessing the computing product to determine the product's attributes, capabilities, and features. Once the assessment is completed, the assessment data is recorded and stored for future applications. The assessments can be performed by the operating system through an assessment tool. Assessments can be performed on various computing products including personal computers, computer components, clusters of computers, and servers.

Abstract: A method of determining a performance characteristic of a system is accomplished through the use of descriptive statistics and key ratios. A predetermined amount of measurements are taken to test a system performance characteristic. The measurements are compiled and descriptive statistics and key ratios are determined from the measurements. The descriptive statistics and key ratios are analyzed to determine if a satisfactory measurement of the system performance was determined. If a satisfactory measurement for the system performance was not determined, additional measurements are taken until the descriptive statistics and key ratios indicate a satisfactory measurement for the system performance was determined. Once a satisfactory measurement for the system performance is determined, the value is recorded and stored.

Abstract: Methods and systems for obtaining the performance characteristics of a computing product are described. Obtaining a computing product's attributes, capabilities, and features includes assessing the computing product to determine the product's attributes, capabilities, and features. Once the assessment is completed, the assessment data is recorded and stored for future applications. The assessments can be performed by the operating system through an assessment tool. Assessments can be performed on various computing products including personal computers, computer components, clusters of computers, and servers.

Abstract: Methods and systems for obtaining the performance characteristics of a computing product are described. Obtaining a computing product's attributes, capabilities, and features includes assessing the computing product to determine the product's attributes, capabilities, and features. Once the assessment is completed, the assessment data is recorded and stored for future applications. The assessments can be performed by the operating system through an assessment tool. Assessments can be performed on various computing products including personal computers, computer components, clusters of computers, and servers.