Abstract: A test sequence (1) comprises multiple pictures (20, 22, 24, 26) comprising at least one respective intra pixel block (30, 32, 34, 36) at a respective dedicated pixel position in the pictures (20, 22, 24, 26). Such a position in a first picture (20) is different from the position of the intra block (32) in a second picture (22) of the sequence. The sequence (1) is transmitted to a user terminal (200) where it is employed for testing the quality of the data communication. By rendering the pictures (20, 22, 24, 26) packet losses are identifiable as missing pixel blocks (30, 332, 34, 36) in the media presentation (60).

Abstract: Described herein are techniques for facilitating combined broadcast and unicast delivery of content According to various embodiments, a media stream from a content provider may be received at a unicast server and at a broadcast server. The media stream may comprise a plurality of media stream fragments. A relative delay may be introduced into the media stream at the broadcast server such that media stream fragments transmitted from the broadcast server are delayed relative to media stream fragments transmitted from the unicast server. The media stream fragments may be transmitted to a user device. The user device may be operable to switch between receiving the media stream fragments from the unicast server and the broadcast server.

Abstract: Media content typically includes closed captioning information such as subtitles in domestic and foreign languages. Techniques and mechanisms provide that closed captioning information may be toggled on/off using menu options and preferences as well as automatically managed by intelligently monitoring the environment surrounding a device. Device sensors such as microphones and vibration monitors determine the noise level of an environment as well as the spectral characteristics of the noise to determine whether the noise profile would interfere with the video playback experience. A particular environmental noise profile could automatically trigger the display of closed captioning information or present an easy access, otherwise unavailable toggle to display closed captioning information associated with a video stream.

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 synchronization method for current differential protection comprises: selecting a point on the transmission line protected by the current differential protection; measuring the current and the voltage of each of the terminals of said transmission line; calculating the compensating voltage at the selected point respectively according to the measured current and the voltage of the each terminal; detecting and calculating the synchronization error by comparing all the compensating voltages.

Abstract: A method and system of operating a Reliable Transmission Protocol switch node to provide an IPTV multicast is provided. According to an embodiment of the invention, IP packets transporting an encrypted media stream are received from an IPTV Head-end. The media stream contains complete image frames. Unencrypted identifiers identifying packets containing complete image frame data are also received. The received packets are stored in a buffer, and on receipt of a request from a media renderer to provide the IPTV multicast, the packet(s) containing the last complete image frame in the media stream and all subsequent packets are sent to the media renderer.

Abstract: In a method for media session management a user terminal upon detecting S0, S00 switching to a media stream on a channel from a unicast transport source, requesting S1 transmission of the media stream by indicating a predetermined starting frame for the transmission and a media server transmitting S2 the requested media frame starting with a media frame as indicated in the request.

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: For streaming data in a mobile communication network, a descriptive file (100) of a stream (200) is provided. The descriptive file (100) comprises a list (110) of delivery source identifiers, e.g. URIs, for unicast delivery of data segments (210) of the stream. A broadcast indicator (120) is selectively added to the descriptive file (100) so as to indicate whether broadcast delivery of the data segments (210) is available. Adding the broadcast indicator (120) and initiating the broadcast delivery may be accomplished on the basis of a popularity of the stream.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for tuning to a channel of a Moving Pictures Expert Group transport stream (MPEG-TS), for example used in an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) network, are provided for optimising a channel change procedure. The method comprises the steps of receiving a MPEG transport stream at a first bit rate, the MPEG transport stream comprising a plurality of television channels. Program clock reference (PCR) values are identified in the received MPEG transport stream, and one or more of the program clock reference (PCR) values are adjusted. The MPEG transport stream, including the adjusted program clock reference values, are transmitted at a second bit rate, for example to a receiver device such as a set top box, thereby enabling the set top box to perform a channel change procedure more quickly.

Abstract: The media session management of the invention encompasses a media server having access to multiple unicast-based media channels and a user terminal. The user terminal generates and transmits a generic, channel-transparent session request to the server. This request initiates a generic, channel-transparent media session setup procedure between the terminal and the server. The setup procedure involves exchange of requests and responses but no media channel is yet selected or notified at the server. Once the channel-transparent setup has been completed, the user terminal transmits a channel-specific rendering request for a desired media channel to the server. In a subsequent channel switch, the terminal simply transmits a new channel-specific request for a new channel to the server during the ongoing session and reusing the negotiated transport parameters of the channel-transparent setup procedure.

Abstract: The media session management of the invention encompasses a media server having access to multiple unicast-based media channels and a user terminal. The user terminal generates and transmits a generic, channel-transparent session request to the server. This request initiates a generic, channel-transparent media session setup procedure between the terminal and the server. The setup procedure involves exchange of requests and responses but no media channel is yet selected or notified at the server. Once the channel-transparent setup has been completed, the user terminal transmits a channel-specific rendering request for a desired media channel to the server. In a subsequent channel switch, the terminal simply transmits a new channel-specific request for a new channel to the server during the ongoing session and reusing the negotiated transport parameters of the channel-transparent setup procedure.

Abstract: A technique that permits an earlier start of the decoding and play out of media frames received via a point-to-multipoint transmission is described. The media frames comprise frames of a first type that cannot be decoded without knowledge of supplemental information and frames of a second type that include the supplemental information. According to a method aspect of this technique, frames of the first type are received and immediately buffered without waiting for reception of a frame of the second type. In a next step, a request message requesting supplemental information required for a decoding of the buffered frames of the first type is sent. Upon receipt of the requested supplemental information, the buffered frames are decoded based on the received supplemental information.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for detecting communication channel delay asymmetry between transmission line protection devices. The method comprises: calculating, repeatedly, clock disparity between clocks of the protection devices and communication delays at different paths of the communication channel; comparing the latest calculated clock disparity and communication delays with previously calculated clock disparities and communication delays, respectively; determining a channel switching has happened if a change of the calculated clock disparity exceeds a first threshold, or a change of the calculated communication delays for any path exceeds a second threshold; and determining the channel delays as asymmetrical if a difference between the calculated communication delays of the different paths after the channel switching exceeds a third threshold.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods used in a media streaming system in which at least two representations of a media content item are available are provided. An apparatus (500, 600) has a processor (504, 604) configured to generate signals when a change of representation and bandwidth is occurring in a sequence of segments of the media content item to be used by a streaming application.

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: A method of managing a unicast-based media session is disclosed. A user terminal having access to channel identifiers of media channels available at a media server compiles a SIP-based channel request comprising a channel identifier of one of the available media channels and a port identifier of at least one media input port of the terminal. This message is sent to a network node for initiating delivery of media data of selected media channel to the announced media input port. The SIP-based data signaling also allows switching between unicast-based media channels and switching between unicast-bast and multicast/broadcast-based media channels during the ongoing media session.