Abstract: According to an embodiment, a packet generation apparatus includes: a converter configured to convert Temps Atomique International (TAI) time into an STC counter value; a sampling unit configured to obtain a PCR value by sampling the STC counter value converted by the converter in accordance with a first timing; a packet generator configured to generate a TS packet in which the PCR value obtained by the sampling unit is described, and to output the TS packet in accordance with a second timing; and a timing controller configured to determine the first timing and the second timing.

Abstract: Conventional techniques for automatically evaluating and grading assignments are generally ill-suited to evaluation of coursework submitted in media-rich form. For courses whose subject includes programming, signal processing or other functionally expressed designs that operate on, or are used to produce media content, conventional techniques are also ill-suited. It has been discovered that media-rich, indeed even expressive, content can be accommodated as, or as derivatives of, coursework submissions using feature extraction and machine learning techniques. Accordingly, in on-line course offerings, even large numbers of students and student submissions may be accommodated in a scalable and uniform grading or scoring scheme. Instructors or curriculum designers may adaptively refine assignments or testing based on classifier feedback.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for representing allocation of capacity of a storage unit within an audio/video (AV) recording device is described. In one example, a quantity of AV program data stored on the storage unit is determined. A storage schedule for new AV program data that is defined over a predetermined time period is obtained. A deletion schedule for old AV program data that is defined over the predetermined time period is obtained. Temporally dynamic indicia is produced that is representative of allocation of the capacity of the storage unit over the predetermined time period in response to the quantity of stored AV program data, the storage schedule, and the deletion schedule. A pictorial representation of the temporally dynamic indicia may then be displayed on a display coupled to the AV recording device.

Abstract: A reproduction apparatus includes a calculating portion that calculates a packet position corresponding to specified reproduction time based on header information contained in an image and sound file when reproduction time is specified by an operating portion, and a reproducing portion that starts reproduction of image and sound from a packet of the calculated packet position.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to system(s), method(s), and apparatus for accurate fast forward rate when performing trick play with variable distance between frames. In one embodiment, there is presented a circuit for providing a fast forward video sequence. The circuit comprises a system time clock for providing a time reference, said time reference incremented at a predetermined fast forward rate; a comparator for comparing the time reference with timing information associated with a picture; and a controller for determining whether to display the picture based at least in part on the comparison between the timing information and the time reference.

Abstract: Two different communication terminals share a broadcast content received through a mobile broadcast service. If a mobile broadcast-sharing mode for sharing a broadcast content with a specific communication terminal is set, a mobile broadcast terminal extracts broadcast video data and broadcast audio data from a mobile broadcast signal being received. The mobile broadcast terminal converts a codec of the broadcast video data and the broadcast audio data into a codec used in video communication, and delivers at least one of the converted broadcast video data and the converted broadcast audio data through video communication formed to the communication terminal.

Abstract: A networked personal video recording (“PVR”) system couples a plurality of clients to one or more PVR media servers over a network. One or more PVR media servers include television tuners to tune television signals. A storage medium buffers the television signals to implement PVR functionality. For example, the PVR media server records television programs for clients. Clients are assigned to television tuners, and the clients display television programs received at the assigned tuner. The network transfers the buffered television signals to the clients.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for playback of multiple video elementary streams is presented herein. A host processor modifies the video elementary streams to allow a transport demultiplexer to distinguish among the plurality of the video elementary streams.

Abstract: A virtual set-top box (vSTB) for executing a middleware component, designed originally for use with the physical STB, including emulating hardware capabilities of the physical STB to process IPTV content received over a connection for presenting the IPTV content on a display of the electronic device.

Abstract: Systems and methods that provide time-based management for MPEG decoding are provided. In one example, a method for live decoding in a personal video recorder system includes the steps of receiving at least one data packet; determining at least one program clock reference (PCR) using the at least one data packet; and locking a timing mechanism to the at least one determined PCR.

Abstract: A Headend system including a video codec to encode a video sequence yielding an encoded video sequence having video packets, a multiplexer, a signal generator to receive a notification of a splice point, analyze at least some of the encoded video packets based on the notification in order to find a random-access-point-packet, the random-access-point being a point from which to start decoding the encoded video sequence by the rendering device so that the video sequence may be rendered for output from the splice point, create a timing signal estimating a location of the random-access-point-packet in the encoded video sequence, and output the timing signal to the multiplexer or transmission equipment. Related apparatus and methods are also described.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for receiving audio video data packets and corresponding method. According to said method, said packets received comprising an absolute time stamp showing the display time of said packets, said packets being intended to be displayed after their recording, or to be displayed directly following their reception. The device comprises an interface module with the display intended to respect, among other things, the display time of said packets. The device comprises: means for reformatting said packets intended to be displayed after recording in such a manner that these packets after they have been read are received by the interface module with the display in the same format as said packets intended to be displayed directly following their reception, said means for reformatting said packets modifying at least the time stamp of the packets intended for the recording.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for processing video and audio data received in a decoding system are provided. The method includes the following steps. When a program clock reference (PCR) is unavailable in the system, a system time clock (STC) is recovered by using a presentation time stamp (PTS) of video or audio data, or a linear combination result of the PTS of the video data and the PTS of the audio data. The STC is compared with the PTSs of the currently captured and audio data, and a current data processing mode is determined. A difference between the PTS of the video data and the PTS of the audio data is monitored. An absolute value of the difference is compared with a preset threshold value, and when the absolute value is greater than or equal to the threshold value, an asynchronous play mode is adopted as a system play mode; otherwise, a synchronous play mode is adopted as the system play mode.

Abstract: On a BD-ROM, PlayList information is recorded. The PlayList information includes MainPath information and SubPath information. The MainPath information specifies one of a plurality of AVClips as a MainClip, and defines a primary playback section (PlayItem) on the MainClip. The SubPath information specifies, among the rest of the AVClips, one AVClip as a SubClip, and defines, on the SubClip, a secondary playback section (SubPlayItem) to be synchronized with the primary playback section. The SubPath information includes In_Time information and Out_Time information which indicate In_Time and Out_Time, respectively, of the SubPlayItem. In_Time and Out_Time of the SubPlayItem match In_Time and Out_Time of the PlayItem.

Abstract: A method of recording an encoded bit stream that represents video objects includes recording a collection of contiguously arranged video objects and management information about recorded video objects. The collection is partitioned into adjacent recordings that represent playable titles, where a playable title is defined as a playback sequence of all complete cells or a subset of complete cells of a recording in the order of allocation within the video object storage area on the disc. The method further includes generating a title list of titles sorted in the order of arrangement within the video object area on the disc. The method further includes defining a free space title that represents free space within the video object area and includes the free space title in the title list.

Abstract: A stream recording apparatus includes a reception unit configured to receive a transport stream containing TS packets which include PCRs and PTSs, a first storage unit configured to store the transport stream, an analysis unit configured to analyze the PCRs and the PTSs, a counter configured to count a STC on the basis of one of the PCRs, a calculation unit configured to calculate a reproduction time corresponding to a PTS if the PTS is on a same time base with reference to a STC obtained upon reception of the TS packet having the PTS, and to stop calculating the reproduction time corresponding to the PTSs if the PTSs is on a different timebase, and a second storage unit configured to store the reproduction time in association with the one of the PTSs.

Abstract: A data processing device connects to a first display and operates in a power state including a power-off state, a recording standby state, and a power-on state. A second display displays an operation state of the data processing device. A power controller supplies electric power to a driver in the power-on state and the recording standby state, and stops supplying the electric power in the power-off state. The second display indicates that power is ON in the power-on state, and indicates that the power is OFF in the recording standby state and the power-off state. The power controller switches the power state from the recording standby state to the power-on state when a signal instructing start of a recording operation is received from the first display and the power state is the recording standby state.

Abstract: A virtual set-top box (vSTB) for executing a middleware component, designed originally for use with the physical STB, including emulating hardware capabilities of the physical STB to process IPTV content received over a connection for presenting the IPTV content on a display of the electronic device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for compensating for the picture quality of a stored broadcast signal are disclosed. For reproduction of a broadcast signal stored in a television, the picture quality of the stored broadcast signal is compensated for, based on a predetermined. MPEG noise reduction value corresponding to the electric field strength of the stored broadcast signal. Therefore, it is possible to provide the optimum picture quality. When a broadcast signal is stored, it is stored together with the electric field strength, thereof. When the stored broadcast signal is reproduced, block noise, of a screen is efficiently removed by applying an MPEG, noise reduction value corresponding to the electric field strength of the stored broadcast signal to the stored broadcast signal. Therefore it is possible to improve the definition of the screen.

Abstract: Audio data is prevented from not synchronizing with video data when splicing. A first GOP of a video stream of a second program is spliced to a last GOP of a video stream of a first program. A first GOP of an audio stream of the second program is spliced to a last GOP of an audio stream of the first program. In this case, a gap amount PTS_FS required for synchronizing video data and audio data after the splicing is computed for each GOP. For the splicing processing, a gap amount PTS_FS_SPLYCE caused when the last GOP is spliced to the first GOP directly and the PTS_FS are used.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, a memory may receive digital video data containing a first I frame and a second I frame with a plurality of P frames located between the I frames. The I frames each include a first timestamp. A processor may determine a subset of the P frames to be played in a trick mode along with the first I frame and the second I frame based on the number of P frames included in the plurality of P frames and the desired playback speed.

Abstract: A reproducing device for playing back data from a recording medium, including: play back circuits for reading first stream data, which includes first video data, first audio data, and first subpicture data, from a recording medium; download data storage circuits for storing second stream data, which includes at least one of second video data, second audio data and second subpicture data downloaded via a network; and selection circuits for conducting at least one of: switching from said first video data to said second video data; switching from said first audio data to said second audio data, and switching from said first subpicture data to said second subpicture data; wherein data which is newly switched by said selection circuits and data which is not switched by said selection circuits are synchronously superimposed and outputted.

Abstract: A reproducing device for playing back data from a recording medium, including: play back circuits for reading first stream data, which includes first video data, first audio data, and first subpicture data, from a recording medium; download data storage circuits for storing second stream data, which includes at least one of second video data, second audio data and second subpicture data downloaded via a network; and selection circuits for conducting at least one of: switching from said first video data to said second video data; switching from said first audio data to said second audio data, and switching from said first subpicture data to said second subpicture data; wherein data which is newly switched by said selection circuits and data which is not switched by said selection circuits are synchronously superimposed and outputted.

Abstract: Arrangements for playing back data from a recording medium, including: first playback circuits for reading first stream data which includes first video data, first audio data, and first sub-picture data, from a first recording medium; second playback circuits for reading second stream data which includes at least one of second video data, second audio data, and second sub-picture data, from a second recording medium; and selection circuits for conducting at least one of: switching from the first video data to the second video data, switching from the first audio data to the second audio data, and switching from the first sub-picture data to the second sub-picture data; wherein data newly switched by the selection circuits and the data which is not switched by the selection circuits are synchronously superimposed and outputted.

Abstract: An audio and video synchronization compensation method and apparatus for smoothly compensating audio and video synchronization in an audio and video system such as a DTV and a DVD player are provided. The apparatus includes a signal decoder unit which extracts time information for reproducing a video and/or audio signal and reference operation time information of a reproduction system from an input compressed stream; a signal synchronization control unit which determines the reproduction state of a signal by comparing reproduction time information of the stream with reference time information of the system, measures the difference between the reproduction time information and the reference time information in the determined signal reproduction state, and adjusts a transition speed used to approach from a signal reproduction interval to a signal synchronization interval according to a reproduction speed value of a pattern corresponding to the difference.

Abstract: A digital multimedia reproducing apparatus capable of receiving and providing digital multimedia broadcasting (DMB) in addition to reproducing moving pictures and music, and a DMB providing method performed in the digital multimedia reproducing apparatus, the digital multimedia reproducing apparatus including: a tuner unit to receive a digital broadcasting signal via a predetermined channel; a channel decoding unit to convert the digital broadcasting signal received from the tuner unit into a digital signal and to produce an MPEG-2 transmission stream therefrom; a decoding unit to demultiplex the MPEG-2 transmission stream to extract video data and audio data and H.264-decode the video data; and a control unit to decode the extracted audio data using bit-sliced arithmetic coding (BSAC) software and to control the decoded audio data and the video data to be output.

Abstract: At a user or client site, a user initially visits a website hosted by a partner, and following an initial interaction with the website, the user is provided with various software from an administrator website. The software enables the user to download information, such as a video file, to the partner website. The information is encoded in a format that was pre-selected by the partner so that the delivery process is streamlined for the partner. In addition, for further efficiency, the delivery process from the user to the partner is implemented substantially simultaneously with the encoding.

Abstract: A media processing method for performing media processing by causing a processor to execute plural program modules, including: a first step of controlling input/output of media data, determining at least one call time, and calling a second program module in a second layer at each determined call time, by executing a first program module in a first layer, the first layer being higher than the second layer; a second step of calling at least one third program module in a third layer, the third layer being lower than the second layer, by executing the second program module in the second layer; and a third step of causing the processor to perform data conversion on the media data, the data conversion being an element of the media processing, by executing the third program module in the third layer.

Abstract: On a BD-ROM, PlayList information is recorded. The PlayList information includes MainPath information and SubPath information. The MainPath information specifies one of a plurality of AVClips as a MainClip, and defines a primary playback section (PlayItem) on the MainClip. The SubPath information specifies, among the rest of the AVClips, one AVClip as a SubClip, and defines, on the SubClip, a secondary playback section (SubPlayItem) to be synchronized with the primary playback section. The SubPath information includes In_Time information and Out_Time information which indicate In_Time and Out_Time, respectively, of the SubPlayItem. In_Time and Out_Time of the SubPlayItem match In_Time and Out_Time of the PlayItem.

Abstract: Method to enable a local system time clock counter (STC) of a receiving recording device to lock to program clock reference (PCR) information comprised in a received real time sequence of information signal packets, such as MPEG2 Transport Stream packets. The method comprising determining the number of cycles between arrival of the first information signal packet and the arrival of the information signal packet comprising the first Program Clock Reference (PCR) information. This information is stored as an attribute of the stored sequence.

Abstract: A player model (1) includes an output section (10) that reads out a source packet having a transport packet and arrival time stamp from TS1 and TS2 connected seamlessly to each other and outputs the transport packet according to the arrival time stamp, and a decoder (20) that decodes the transport packet. The output section (10) inputs the transport packet according to the arrival time stamp of the source packet to the decoder (20). The decoder (20) includes an audio buffer TBn having a capacity capable of buffering the audio data corresponding to the time required for inputting I picture, which is the first picture of TS2, to a video buffer TB1.

Abstract: When data of image information is compressed and is recorded on a recording medium, additional information about the image information is recorded in a conveniently usable state. There is provided read/write unit information as a unit of reading and writing the compressed image information to the recording medium. The read/write unit information contains a plurality of units of decoding and reproducing unit information that comprises one frame (or one field) of the image information. At least one piece of decoding and reproducing unit information is subject to compression encoding through the use of only image information in the decoding and reproducing unit. In the read/write unit information, there is multiplexed and recorded additional information about the decoding and reproducing unit information for a plurality of units within the read/write unit in an extractable manner separately from the compressed image information.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a playback apparatus, a playback method, and a program for the same that increase the level of convenience of a recording medium and thereby, for example, enable a user to perform playback control processing and the like more easily. An information acquisition unit 353 in a playback control unit 334 allows a holding unit 354 to hold an acquired an Linear Time Code (LTC) change point table 361. An input acceptance processing unit 352 supplies an accepted cue-up instruction to a cue-up processing unit 355. The cue-up processing unit 355 identifies the File Time Code (FTC) of a frame to be cued up, referring to the LTC change point table 361 held in the holding unit 354, and supplies this information to a control unit 351. Based on the information, the control unit 351 creates cue-up command information and supplies it through a command processing unit 356 to a disk recording/playback apparatus which displays a frame image of a frame to be cued up onto a monitor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing presentation managing information for the recording medium, are provided. The method includes generating a transport stream, comprising reproducing, from a recording medium, an MPEG transport stream composed of a series of transport packets carrying data; and selectively inserting, into the reproduced MPEG transport stream, program managing information for managing presentation of certain data carried in the reproduced MPEG transport stream.

Abstract: In a recording and reproducing apparatus for recording and reproducing video data, includes: a shuffling memory (6); a writing means for writing video data into the shuffling memory in accordance with the synchronizing signal and a write reference clock signal in synchronization with the video data; and a reading means for reading out the video data from the shuffling memory in accordance with a synchronizing signal and a stabilized read reference clock which is asynchronous with the write clock signal.