Abstract: A switching module is adapted to configure switches between source buffers and rendering pipelines. Each of the switches has one or more selection inputs each representing encoded data for a media track from one of the source buffers. Each of the switches also has a selection output associated with one of the rendering pipelines for decoding and rendering. The switching module is further adapted to use the switches to manage which of the media tracks, if any, have encoded data routed to the rendering pipelines during media streaming. The rendering pipelines can include a video rendering pipeline and one or more audio rendering pipelines, where the switching module is part of a media engine adapted to determine a clock source in one of the audio rendering pipeline(s), and the clock source is used to drive synchronization of the media tracks.

Abstract: Facilitating interaction may be enabled through communication protocols and/or APIs that permit information regarding image processing capabilities of associated graphics hardware to be exchanged between graphics device drivers and video renders. In a first exemplary media implementation, electronically-executable instructions thereof for a video renderer precipitate actions including: issuing a query from a video render towards a graphics device driver, the query requesting information relating to process amplifier (ProcAmp) capabilities; and receiving a response at the video renderer from the graphics device driver, the response including the requested information relating to ProcAmp capabilities.

Abstract: A timed data component is implemented within an operating system to provide parsing and data conversion of multiple timed data formats. The timed data component supports multiple formats of closed caption data and timed metadata, generating structured cue objects that include the data and timing information. Applications using proprietary or non-supported formats can pre-format the timed data as structured cue objects before sending the timed data to the timed data component. Structured cue objects output from the timed data component may be processed by a single text renderer to provide a consistent look and feel to closed caption data originating in any of multiple formats.

Abstract: A switching module is adapted to configure switches between source buffers and rendering pipelines. Each of the switches has one or more selection inputs each representing encoded data for a media track from one of the source buffers. Each of the switches also has a selection output associated with one of the rendering pipelines for decoding and rendering. The switching module is further adapted to use the switches to manage which of the media tracks, if any, have encoded data routed to the rendering pipelines during media streaming. The rendering pipelines can include a video rendering pipeline and one or more audio rendering pipelines, where the switching module is part of a media engine adapted to determine a clock source in one of the audio rendering pipeline(s), and the clock source is used to drive synchronization of the media tracks.

Abstract: A video encoding acceleration service to increase one or more of the speed and quality of video encoding is described. The service acts as an intermediary between an arbitrary video encoder computer program application and arbitrary video acceleration hardware. The service receives one or more queries from the video encoder to identify implementation specifics of the video acceleration hardware. The service interfaces with the video acceleration hardware to obtain the implementation specifics. The service communicates the implementation specifics to the video encoder. The implementation specifics enable the video encoder to: (a) determine whether one or more of speed and quality of software encoding operations associated with the video encoder can be increased with implementation of a pipeline of one or more supported encoding pipeline configurations and capabilities, and (b) implement the pipeline by interfacing with the service.

Abstract: Strategies are described for processing image information using a data structure which conveys color information. The color information describes color-related formatting applied to the image information. The data structure can be passed down a video processing pipeline, which includes a video mixing renderer module, a device driver, and a graphics module. Each functional component in the pipeline can draw color information from the data structure to improve the accuracy of its processing.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide methods and systems that utilize a protocol which enables media content protection by establishing a secure communication channel and, in some embodiments, a secure data channel, between a device such as a computing device running a protected content playback application, and a downstream component such as an associated driver, such as a graphics driver, of an associated display device such as a monitor, flat panel LCD, television and the like.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for facilitating processing of interlaced video images for progressive video displays. A method receives from a renderer a query for a graphics device driver to a graphics processing capability that can be performed by an associated graphics device in de-interlacing video data, communicating the query to the graphics device driver, receiving from the graphics device driver a response to the query that identifies the graphics processing capabilities to the renderer, and communicating the response to the renderer.

Abstract: Strategies are described for processing image information using a data structure which conveys color information. The color information describes color-related formatting applied to the image information. The data structure can be passed down a video processing pipeline, which includes a video mixing renderer module, a device driver, and a graphics module. Each functional component in the pipeline can draw color information from the data structure to improve the accuracy of its processing.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for facilitating processing of interlaced video images for progressive video displays. A method receives from a renderer a query for a graphics device driver to a graphics processing capability that can be performed by an associated graphics device in de-interlacing video data, communicating the query to the graphics device driver, receiving from the graphics device driver a response to the query that identifies the graphics processing capabilities to the renderer, and communicating the response to the renderer.

Abstract: Strategies are described for processing image information using a data structure which conveys color information. The color information describes color-related formatting applied to the image information. The data structure can be passed down a video processing pipeline, where each functional component in the pipeline can draw color information from the data structure to improve the accuracy of its processing. Further, each component can supply previously unknown color information to the data structure for use by other (downstream) components in the pipeline. Exemplary fields of the data structure can include one or more of: a video transfer function field; a color primaries field; an image light field; a transfer matrix field; a nominal range field; and a video chroma sampling field. The transfer matrix field can be used to convert image information from one color space to another, such as a luma-related color space to an RGB-related color space.

Abstract: A video encoding acceleration service to increase one or more of the speed and quality of video encoding is described. The service acts as an intermediary between an arbitrary video encoder computer program application and arbitrary video acceleration hardware. The service receives one or more queries from the video encoder to identify implementation specifics of the video acceleration hardware. The service interfaces with the video acceleration hardware to obtain the implementation specifics. The service communicates the implementation specifics to the video encoder. The implementation specifics enable the video encoder to: (a) determine whether one or more of speed and quality of software encoding operations associated with the video encoder can be increased with implementation of a pipeline of one or more supported encoding pipeline configurations and capabilities, and (b) implement the pipeline by interfacing with the service.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for facilitating processing of interlaced video images for progressive video displays. In accordance with certain exemplary implementations, a method includes receiving from a renderer a query for a graphics device driver as to at least one graphics processing capability that can be performed by an associated graphics device in de-interlacing video data, communicating the query to the graphics device driver, receiving from the graphics device driver a response to the query that identifies the graphics processing capability/capabilities to the renderer, and communicating the response to the renderer.

Abstract: Methods and systems provide approaches to start code emulation prevention at a granularity higher than the bit level. By operating at a level other than the bit level, processing capability requirements on both the encoder and decoder side can be reduced. In accordance with one or more embodiments, a start code emulation prevention method looks for data patterns relative to fixed-size data portions larger than single bits. When a particular pattern is found, start code emulation prevention data is inserted to prevent start code emulation. The inserted data is larger than a single bit and, in some embodiments, comprises a byte. When a decoder decodes data that has had start code emulation prevention data inserted, it can easily identify legitimate start codes and then can remove the start code emulation prevention data to provide the original data that was protected.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide methods and systems that utilize a protocol which enables media content protection by establishing a secure communication channel and, in some embodiments, a secure data channel, between a device such as a computing device running a protected content playback application, and a downstream component such as an associated driver, such as a graphics driver, of an associated display device such as a monitor, flat panel LCD, television and the like.

Abstract: Strategies are described for processing image information using a data structure which conveys color information. The color information describes color-related formatting applied to the image information. The data structure can be passed down a video processing pipeline, where each functional component in the pipeline can draw color information from the data structure to improve the accuracy of its processing. Further, each component can supply previously unknown color information to the data structure for use by other (downstream) components in the pipeline. Exemplary fields of the data structure can include one or more of: a video transfer function field; a color primaries field; an image light field; a transfer matrix field; a nominal range field; and a video chroma sampling field. The transfer matrix field can be used to convert image information from one color space to another, such as a luma-related color space to an RGB-related color space.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide methods and systems that utilize a protocol which enables media content protection by establishing a secure communication channel and, in some embodiments, a secure data channel, between a device such as a computing device running a protected content playback application, and a downstream component such as an associated driver, such as a graphics driver, of an associated display device such as a monitor, flat panel LCD, television and the like.

Abstract: Video frame buffers are controlled using a sequence of new-frame-indicators (e.g., FLIP) and no-new-frame-indicators (e.g., NOFLIP) in a frame indicator queue that is accessed with each display refresh. Video samples are loaded into a chain of video frame buffers that is “rotated” during the vertical blanking signal of the display to swap an old frame buffer out for a new frame buffer. The rotations of the frame buffer chain are controlled based on the frame indicators in the frame indicator queue to present new video samples to the display in a regular pattern, thereby providing smooth video playback.

Abstract: Techniques and tools for representing pixel data in a video processing or capture system are described. Described techniques and tools provide efficient color representation for video processing and capture, and provide flexibility for representing colors using different bit precisions and memory layouts. Described techniques and tools include video formats that can be used, for example, in hardware or software for capture, processing, and display purposes. In one aspect, chroma and luma information for a pixel in a video image is represented in a 16-bit fixed-point block of data having an integer and fractional components. Data can be easily converted from one representation to another (e.g., between 16-bit and 10-bit representations). In other aspects, formats for representing 8-, 10- and 16-bit video image data (e.g., packed and hybrid planar formats), and codes for indicating the formats, are described.

Abstract: Strategies are described for processing image information using a data structure which conveys color information. The color information describes color-related formatting applied to the image information. The data structure can be passed down a video processing pipeline, where each functional component in the pipeline can draw color information from the data structure to improve the accuracy of its processing. Further, each component can supply previously unknown color information to the data structure for use by other (downstream) components in the pipeline. Exemplary fields of the data structure can include one or more of: a video transfer function field; a color primaries field; an image light field; a transfer matrix field; a nominal range field; and a video chroma sampling field. The transfer matrix field can be used to convert image information from one color space to another, such as a luma-related color space to an RGB-related color space.