Abstract: A television and a method thereof are provided. The television includes a display, a first network interface to a packet-based network, and a decoder operable to process a multimedia data stream received via the first network interface, wherein the television is operable to display video content of the multimedia data stream on the display promptly upon receipt of a user request to power up the television. The method includes receiving a multimedia data stream at a network interface of a television, wherein the network interface is coupled to a packet-based network, processing the multimedia data stream at a decoder of the television to generate video content and providing the video content to a display of the television, wherein the television displays video content of the multimedia data stream promptly upon receipt of a request to power up the television.

Abstract: A non-transitory tangible computer readable medium is disclosed, containing a computer program for distributing video data over an electrical power line, the computer program including but not limited to instructions to receive first video data and second video data concurrently at a first internet protocol television client device over an electrical power line from a second and third controllable devices in response to the detecting the first event data in the first location at the first controllable device; instructions to create at a first client end user device, a client created internet protocol television channel and insert the client created channel into an existing electronic program guide for the first and second video data; and instructions to send the electronic program guide to a second client end user device for selection and display of the first and second video concurrently at a display for the second client end user device.

Abstract: A method (300) and apparatus are disclosed for event notification. An apparatus that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a presence services system (PSS) (102) can have a controller (104) that manages operations of a communications interface (110). The controller can be programmed to monitor (302) presence information of a plurality of communication devices of an end user operating in a communications system, and receive (316) a request from a calendar reminder system (CRS) for access to the presence information. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A signal testing apparatus includes a transmitter, a first receiver, a second receiver, a first indicator and a second indicator. The transmitter transmits over a wired communications link a first signal having a corresponding first frequency representative of a first frequency range of the wired communications link, and that transmits over the wired communications link a second signal having a corresponding second frequency representative of a second frequency range of the wired communications link. Signal losses for the first signal and second signal are measured, and indicators indicate whether the signal losses are acceptable.

Abstract: A method (300) and apparatus are disclosed for event notification. An apparatus that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a presence services system (PSS) (102) can have a controller (104) that manages operations of a communications interface (110). The controller can be programmed to monitor (302) presence information of a plurality of communication devices of an end user operating in a communications system, and receive (316) a request from a calendar reminder system (CRS) for access to the presence information. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A signal testing apparatus for testing signals includes at least one receiver that receives signals having corresponding frequencies representative of a frequency range of a wired communication link over which the signals are received. The signal testing apparatus also includes a measurer that measures a signal loss for each of the frequencies to determine whether each measured signal loss is acceptable.

Abstract: A disclosed set top box or other type of multimedia handling device (MHD) is configured to support a toggle volume feature that enables the end user to toggle between two or more substantially different audible volume settings using a single push of a single remote control button or other type of control, e.g., a touch screen control. In some embodiments, the MHD includes a processor, storage media accessible to and readable by the processor, a remote control interface in communication with the processor, a multimedia decoder, and an audio digital-to-analog converter. The remote control interface receives input from a remote control device. The multimedia decoder module receives and processes multimedia streams. The decoder generates a decoder audio output and a decoder video output. The DAC processes the decoder audio output and produces an audio signal having a particular volume level.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for performing a method of distributing video data over an electrical power line. The system includes but is not limited to a processor in data communication with a computer readable medium and a computer program comprising instructions embedded in the computer readable medium, the computer program further comprising instructions to detect first event data at a first controllable device in an internet protocol television system; instructions to send second event data over the electrical power line to a second controllable device in the internet protocol television system from the first controllable device in response to the detecting the first event data at the first controllable device; and instructions to receive video data concurrently at a first internet protocol television client device over the electrical power line from the first and second controllable devices in response to the detecting the first event data at the first controllable device.

Abstract: A method includes associating a first channel identifier of an electronic programming guide with a first multimedia channel from a first content source and associating a second channel identifier of the electronic programming guide with a second multimedia channel from a second content source. The second content source is different from the first content source. A computer readable medium embodies a set of executable instructions that manipulate a processor to generate an electronic programming guide. The electronic programming guide includes a first set of one or more channel identifiers and a second set of one or more channel identifiers. Each channel identifier in the first set is associated with one or more multimedia channels of a cable television transmission and each channel identifier in the second set is associated with a multimedia channel of a packet-based network transmission.

Abstract: In accordance with a disclosed example method, a first coaxial port is connected to a connector casing. The first coaxial port is connectable to a first section of coaxial cable and the first port to receive digital packet-based data from a first device. A second coaxial port is connected to the connector casing. The second coaxial port is connectable to a second section of coaxial cable. A first impedance is electrically connected to the first coaxial port. The first impedance located in the connector casing. A second impedance is electrically connected to the second coaxial port. The second impedance is located in the connector casing and is different from the first impedance to create an impedance imbalance between the second port and the second section of the coaxial cable.

Abstract: According to a first aspect there is provided systems and methods for receiving an encrypted signal from a portable communication device, the encrypted signal containing information associated with a command; and decrypting the encrypted signal to enable a set-top box to execute the command. According to a second aspect there is provided systems and methods for encrypting information to generate an encrypted signal, the information associated with a command entered via a control; and communicating the encrypted signal to the set-top box, the encrypted signal for decryption at the set-top box to enable execution of the command to operate the set-top box.

Abstract: A signal testing apparatus for testing signals includes at least one receiver that receives signals having corresponding frequencies representative of a frequency range of a wired communication link over which the signals are received. The signal testing apparatus also includes a measurer that measures a signal loss for each of the frequencies to determine whether each measured signal loss is acceptable.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for testing integrity of a wired communication link includes receiving a plurality of signals, sent by at least one transmitter over the wired communications link, at corresponding multiple receivers. The signals have corresponding frequencies within a frequency range of the wired communication link, such that the frequencies are representative of the frequency range. A signal loss corresponding to each of the frequencies is measured, and an indication of whether each measured signal loss is within an acceptable range is provided. The wired communication link may be a coaxial cable.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for performing a method of distributing video data over an electrical power line. The system includes but is not limited to a processor in data communication with a computer readable medium and a computer program comprising instructions embedded in the computer readable medium, the computer program further comprising instructions to detect first event data at a first controllable device in an internet protocol television system; instructions to send second event data over the electrical power line to a second controllable device in the internet protocol television system from the first controllable device in response to the detecting the first event data at the first controllable device; and instructions to receive video data concurrently at a first internet protocol television client device over the electrical power line from the first and second controllable devices in response to the detecting the first event data at the first controllable device.

Abstract: An Internet protocol television system includes a server that delivers high-definition and standard-definition streams to a set-top box, receives a request to record a high-definition stream, records the high-definition stream on the set-top box, receives another request to view a different high-definition stream, and queries the set-top box whether to continue recording in high-definition, or to view the different high-definition stream. a digital video recorder receives high-definition and standard-definition streams, receives a request to record from the high-definition stream, receives another request to view a different high-definition stream queries a user whether to continue recording the high-definition stream or view the different high-definition stream.

Abstract: In accordance with a disclosed example method, a first coaxial port is connected to a connector casing. The first coaxial port is connectable to a first section of coaxial cable and the first port to receive digital packet-based data from a first device. A second coaxial port is connected to the connector casing. The second coaxial port is connectable to a second section of coaxial cable. A first impedance is electrically connected to the first coaxial port. The first impedance located in the connector casing. A second impedance is electrically connected to the second coaxial port. The second impedance is located in the connector casing and is different from the first impedance to create an impedance imbalance between the second port and the second section of the coaxial cable.

Abstract: A disclosed set top box or other type of multimedia handling device (MHD) is configured to support a toggle volume feature that enables the end user to toggle between two or more substantially different audible volume settings using a single push of a single remote control button or other type of control, e.g., a touch screen control. In some embodiments, the MHD includes a processor, storage media accessible to and readable by the processor, a remote control interface in communication with the processor, a multimedia decoder, and an audio digital-to-analog converter. The remote control interface receives input from a remote control device. The multimedia decoder module receives and processes multimedia streams. The decoder generates a decoder audio output and a decoder video output. The DAC processes the decoder audio output and produces an audio signal having a particular volume level.

Abstract: An impedance imbalance connector is provided. The connector comprises a first port connectable to a first section of coaxial cable, the first port having a first impedance and the first port further to receive digital packet-based data from a first device. The connector further comprises a second port connectable to a second section of coaxial cable, the second port having a second impedance which differs from the first impedance so as operationally to create an impedance imbalance between the second port and the second section of the coaxial cable.

Abstract: A simplified field testing tool integrates signal-strength and error-rate testing for a variety of networking technologies prevalent for home networking, including but not limited to Multimedia over Coax (or applicable coax standard), HomePNA 2, VDSL, 100BaseT Ethernet, 802.11 Wi-Fi, and analog/coaxial RF signals.

Abstract: Synchronization is provided for set-top boxes that display multiple instances of a single multimedia program. Embodied set-top boxes request the transmission of a multimedia program and determine the play point of a remote set-top box. Embodied set-top boxes set a local play point to correspond to the remote set-top box's play point. More than two set-top boxes may be synchronized in accordance with disclosed embodiments, and some systems implement master and slave set-top boxes for purposes of synchronization.