Abstract: Methods and systems for submitting media to a media distribution site are disclosed. The submission of media to the media distribution site is able to be performed by numerous submitters in a uniform and computer-assisted manner. The submitted media can then be encoded in a largely automated manner at the media distribution site into a suitable digital form and then made available for online purchase and distribution.

Abstract: A method to process digital audio data displays the digital audio data in one or more tracks along a time line in a graphical interface of a computer system and defines arrange regions within the time line of the digital audio data as objects for manipulation. Tracks within a selected arrange region are processed as an entity in accordance with commands received through the graphical user interface.

Abstract: Improved graphical user interfaces and techniques for providing remote media content to users are disclosed. According to one aspect, an application window display on a display device can expose a user not only to local media content but also to remote media content that is associated with the local media content. The local media content is stored locally, while the remote media content is stored remotely and available from a remote media server. According to another aspect, the remote media content to be displayed can be determined in a manner that is dependent on a user interaction with the local media content. According to still a further aspect, the manner by which the remote media content is displayed can be dependent on the availability of remote media content at the remote media server.

Abstract: A digital audio processor is described, wherein a graphical user interface is presented on the monitor of the processor to display user actionable control elements in a scene of a real world environment for creating and processing music; the graphical user interface is adapted to activate pre-set functions for generating and processing digital audio data in the digital audio processor for each of the user actionable control elements.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and systems for facilitating presentation of media asset collections with reference to larger media libraries re disclosed. In one embodiment, digital media assets that are in a media asset collection can be visually distinguished from those digital media assets available from a remote media repository that are related to but not within the media asset collection.

Abstract: A technique for displaying a variable number of images on a display, such that a portion of the display contains the thumbnail images representing the library of images currently in use. A user selects a number of thumbnails, and another, often larger, portion of the screen, displays the underlying images of the selected thumbnails. The images are displayed on the screen in proximity to facilitate the comparison of the images, and the size of the displayed images is based upon the size of the portion of the screen and the number of images displayed.

Abstract: Improved techniques and graphical user interfaces that assist users in searching through a group of media items are disclosed. According to one aspect, a search assistant (e.g., search bar) can be graphically presented to a user to assist the user in selecting search criteria. In one embodiment, the search assistant can be automatically presented when a search process is being considered by a user. In another embodiment, the search assistant can be context sensitive so as to adapt to different types of media items.

Abstract: Improved graphical user interfaces and techniques for providing remote media content to users are disclosed. According to one aspect, an application window display on a display device can expose a user not only to local media content but also to remote media content that is associated with the local media content. The local media content is stored locally, while the remote media content is stored remotely and available from a remote media server. According to another aspect, the remote media content to be displayed can be determined in a manner that is dependent on a user interaction with the local media content. According to still a further aspect, the manner by which the remote media content is displayed can be dependent on the availability of remote media content at the remote media server.

Abstract: Improved techniques to manage or restrict sharing of media assets over a network are disclosed. A server computer having media assets can permit one or more clients to receive access to such media assets over a computer network. However, the access to such media assets can be restricted based on numerical limits as well as temporal limits. The media assets can, for example, be digital media assets, such as audio items (e.g., audio files, including music or songs), videos (e.g., movies) or images (e.g., photos).

Abstract: A technique for displaying a variable number of images on a display, such that a portion of the display contains the thumbnail images representing the library of images currently in use. A user selects a number of thumbnails, and another, often larger, portion of the screen, displays the underlying images of the selected thumbnails. The images are displayed on the screen in proximity to facilitate the comparison of the images, and the size of the displayed images is based upon the size of the portion of the screen and the number of images displayed.

Abstract: A technique for displaying a variable number of images on a display, such that a portion of the display contains the thumbnail images representing the library of images currently in use. A user selects a number of thumbnails, and another, often larger, portion of the screen, displays the underlying images of the selected thumbnails. The images are displayed on the screen in proximity to facilitate the comparison of the images, and the size of the displayed images is based upon the size of the portion of the screen and the number of images displayed.

Abstract: A digital audio processor is described, wherein a graphical user interface is presented on the monitor of the processor to display user actionable control elements in a scene of a real world environment for creating and processing music; the graphical user interface is adapted to activate pre-set functions for generating and processing digital audio data in the digital audio processor for each of the user actionable control elements.