Abstract: Playback and distribution systems and methods for multimedia files are provided. The multimedia files are encoded with indexes associated with the content data of the multimedia files. Through the use of the indexes, playback of the content is enhanced without significantly increasing the file size of the multimedia file.

Abstract: A video apparatus capable of changing a video output mode of an external video apparatus, and a control method of the video apparatus are provided. The video apparatus includes an interface which is connected to an external video apparatus, enabling communication between the video apparatus and the external video apparatus; and a controller which generates a control message to control a video output mode of the external video apparatus and transfers the generated control message to the external video apparatus via the interface. Therefore, it is possible to prevent video and audio signals from not being output due to user inexperience, and to increase user convenience.

Abstract: An information handling system includes a video processor that provides a first video signal in a first video format; a display that receives a second video signal in a second video format; and another display that receives a third video signal in a third video format. The first, second, and third video formats are all different from each other. The information handling system also includes a mid-stream frame buffer that stores video information from the first, second, and third video signals, and a video selector coupled to the mid-stream frame buffer the video processor and the displays. The video selector converts the First video signal into the second and third video signals and couples the video processor to a selected display.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus for processing first image data into second image data having a higher quality includes the following elements. A determination unit determines whether broadcast image data is up-converted image data generated by up-converting different image data by increasing the number of pixels forming the different image data. A down-converter down-converts the broadcast image data into down-converted image data by decreasing the number of pixels forming the broadcast image data. A first image converter converts, if the broadcast image data is not the up-converted image data, the first image data into the second image data by using the down-converted image data and the broadcast image data as the first image data. A second image converter converts, if the broadcast image data is the up-converted image data, the first image data into the second image data by using the down-converted image data as the first image data.

Abstract: An image processing method is a method for correcting both an image quality of an overall image and an image quality of a partial image with excellent balance.

Abstract: Methods and systems for a personal video recorder (PVR) software buffer management to support the software passage are disclosed. A first plurality of receive buffer descriptors may be allocated for recording at least one received packet in at least a portion of a shared memory. The received packet may be recorded in the shared memory utilizing at least one of the allocated first plurality of receive buffer descriptors. A plurality of playback buffer descriptors may be allocated for playback of the recorded received packet from the shared memory. A first portion of the received packet may be simultaneously played back from the shared memory while recording a second portion of the received packet in the shared memory. If at least one of the recorded received packet is consumed, the playback buffer descriptors corresponding to a number of the consumed received packet may be de-allocated.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device for recording and playing back audio/video signals. A portable storage device (11) has mounted thereon a portable storage device connector (13) of a first type adapted to transfer audio/video signals of a first type (15). A first audio/video system (17) has a first audio/video system connector (19) of the first type for directly connecting to the portable storage device connector (13) to exchange audio/video signals of the first type (15) between the portable storage device (11) and the first audio/video system (17) to record and playback audio/video signals of the first type (15). A second audio/video system (21) receives audio/signals of a second type (23). An interface section (25) has an interface section connector (27) of the first type for directly connecting to the portable storage device (11).

Abstract: An apparatus configured to acquire video content data and record the data in a storage unit and play back video based on the video content data includes: an upconverting processing unit configured to perform upconverting of the video content data recorded in the storage unit; an estimation unit configured to estimate a time period required for the upconverting of the video content data; an acquisition unit configured to acquire viewing deadline information that indicates a viewing deadline of the video content data and to acquire playback time period information that indicates a time period required to play back the video content data; and a control unit configured to determine whether the upconverting of the video content data is to be performed based on the time period estimated by the estimation unit, the viewing deadline information, and the playback time period. A related method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A recording apparatus for recording video data to a record medium is disclosed, that comprises an encoding means for encoding video data in a group structure of a plurality of frames corresponding to a compression-encoding process in a combination of an inter-frame predictive encoding process and a motion compensative process, a transforming means for transforming the data structure of encoded video data that is output from the encoding means into a file structure that can be processed by a computer software program without a dedicated hardware portion so that moving pictures and so forth are synchronously reproduced, and a recording means for recording data having the file structure to a record medium, wherein the file structure has a first data unit and a second data unit, the second data unit being a set of the first data units, and wherein at least one data structure is matched with the first data unit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for reducing motion blur in a video signal. The apparatus comprises motion estimation means (1) for providing motion information of a video signal, high pass filter means (3a, 3b) for high pass filtering said video signal, and first modulating means (4a, 4b) for modulating the high pass filtered video signal from said high pass filter means (3a, 3b) with motion information from said motion estimation means (1) and for outputting a motion dependent high pass filtered video signal.

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 playback apparatus which plays back video or music contents, includes: a playback unit playing back the video or music contents recorded on a recording medium; an output unit outputting the video or music contents played back in the playback unit; and a control unit controlling at least an operation of the playback unit, wherein in the video or music contents, a quick reference mark is set at multiple places, in response to user manipulation, the control unit finds a start of a sequence in accordance with the quick reference mark to control the operation of the playback unit to play back the video or music contents, in response to user manipulation for the quick reference, the control unit varies a priority that expresses a degree served for the quick reference, and for the mark having a low priority, the control unit accepts no user manipulation for quick reference.

Abstract: A broadcast receiver includes: an image analyzer configured to perform an analysis on a series of images; a recorder configured to record a result of the analysis and the series of images; and an image processor configured to perform image processing on a target image included in the series of images recorded in the recorder based on the result of the analysis performed for images subsequent to the target image.

Abstract: An optical disk device includes a read means which reads an image signal from an optical disk, and a conversion means which converts this image signal to one designated resolution. Furthermore, this optical disk device is connected to a display device which displays an image of this converted image signal. Moreover, this optical disk device includes an actuation means which receives input of one resolution among the first plurality of resolutions. And this optical disk device also includes a control means which acquires a second plurality of resolutions from the display device. And, when one resolution is inputted by the actuation means, this control means decides whether or not this input resolution is included in the second plurality of resolutions. Moreover, if it has been decided that the input resolution is included in the second plurality of resolutions, the control means designates that input resolution to the conversion means.

Abstract: A recording apparatus which can provide a video signal and an audio signal in synchronization even when the input signal is discontinuous. The recording apparatus includes: an input unit which receives 60P or 60I video and audio signals; a control unit which detects a discontinuity of a pulldown sequence; a recording command information generation unit which generates video recording command information and audio recording command information so that the video signal is recorded as a 24P signal; and a recording unit which provides to-be-recorded video data and to-be-recorded audio data in accordance with the video recording command information and the audio recording command information.

Abstract: An output control (OPC) information is recorded on the magnetic tape 1 in conjunction with an MPEG stream. The OPC information is composed of two bits and is extracted from a reproduced signal by the output control circuit 9 and controls the digital interface (D. I/F) 7 and the switch circuit 11. In case a first bit of the OPC information is “0”, the output control circuit 9 makes the D. I/F 7 enabled and permits the output of a digital signal. In a case of “1”, the output control circuit 9 prohibits to output the digital signal. Further, when the second bit of the OPC information is “0”, the output control circuit 9 turns the switch circuit 11 off, preventing the output of an analog component signal. In case its “1”, the output control circuit 9 permits the output of the analog component signal.

Abstract: A video signal processing apparatus capable of flexibly handling metadata having various notation formats is provided. The video signal processing apparatus has metadata notation format identification block for identifying a metadata notation format written in a predetermined language; a conversion table selection block for selecting a conversion table corresponding to the identified metadata notation format from among one or more conversion tables prepared in advance; a metadata notation format conversion block for converting the metadata notation format into a notation format compatible with the video signal processing apparatus on the basis of the selected conversion table; and a metadata application processing block for controlling the processing associated with video signals on the basis of the metadata whose notation format has been converted.

Abstract: To provide a playback device 200 that outputs video to a display device by converting an output frame rate of source video signals in accordance with a display capability of the display device, the source video signals having 60 Hz frame rate in a first period and 24 Hz frame rate in a second period.

Abstract: Provided is an information recording medium which achieves high speed conversion of a signal input from external from MPEG-TS to MPEG-PS complying with DVD standard. An apparatus and a method for recording information to the information recording medium are also provided. A constrained format which enables conversion from a first stream (for example, MPEG transport stream) to a second stream (for example, MPEG program stream) is provided. The constrained format defines that a first packet (for example, TS packet) is grouped and managed in multiplexing unit. The first one (AF#8) of complete audio frames in the multiplexing unit (402) is the first one of audio frames in a payload of a second packet (for example, PES packet) (413).

Abstract: A format converting and recording method and system for optical storage media including the steps of converting several first optical storage medium information files into the second optical storage medium through generating corresponding navigation tables which gather at a management file, transmitting image of the first optical storage medium to the second optical storage medium, and then generating a destination disc according to the management file. Thus, the operation process is simplified and the problem of lacking in playback control is solved.

Abstract: Provided is an information recording medium which achieves high speed conversion of a signal input from external from MPEG-TS to MPEG-PS complying with DVD standard. An apparatus and a method for recording information to the information recording medium are also provided. A constrained format which enables conversion from a first stream (for example, MPEG transport stream) to a second stream (for example, MPEG program stream) is provided. The constrained format defines that a first packet (for example, TS packet) is grouped and managed in multiplexing unit. The first one (AF#8) of complete audio frames in the multiplexing unit (402) is the first one of audio frames in a payload of a second packet (for example, PES packet) (413).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reproducing titles are discussed. According to an embodiment, the method includes determining if at least one title satisfies a criterion, using an average length information of a plurality of titles recorded on a recording medium; and reproducing the at least one title if the determining step determines that the at least one title satisfies the criterion.

Abstract: A multimedia optical disc for recording main video data which is composed of sets of frame data that is processed beforehand to allow compatibility with displays of a plurality of aspect ratios. The disc has a stream area storing streams made up of the main video data and a plurality of sets of sub-picture data, with each set of sub-picture data including a set of tel-op data and a set of coordinate information showing a display position of the set of tel-op data. The disc also includes a control area storing a plurality of pairings of a set of display mode information and a set of sub-picture indicating information. Each set of display mode information shows a species of display method according to which the frame data is to be processed for a case when the frame data decoded from the main video data is displayed at one of the plurality of aspect ratios.

Abstract: The present invention provides a moving picture data processing apparatus for outputting moving picture data by adding time information thereto, which includes: a moving picture input section which receives an input of the moving picture data for which a standard screen rate and one or more screen rates are switchable at an arbitrary timing; a time information addition processing section which adds input time information to the moving picture data; a timer section; an input start time acquiring section which acquires an input start time for the moving picture data; an input time information generating section which calculates the input time information by integrating the time information with the input start time; a moving picture playback section which plays back picture frames of the moving picture data at the standard screen rate; and a time information extracting section which extracts the input time information from the moving picture data.

Abstract: A recording apparatus for recording audio-visual (A/V) contents directly from an A/V input source to a portable media player (PMP) is disclosed. The recorded A/V contents can be played back by the portable media player immediately upon stopping the recording. The recording apparatus does not involve the use of any intermediate computing or storage device other than the portable media player and the recording apparatus itself. The A/V contents for recording may come in the form of analog/digital signals or as digital data in compressed or uncompressed form from transmission and/or storage devices. Depending upon the nature of the input, the recording apparatus digitizes, encodes and/or transcodes the A/V contents and stores the processed A/V contents directly into the portable media player in playback ready format. The recording apparatus includes a one-button control interface for starting and stopping the recording of A/V contents to the portable media player.

Abstract: A system and method for recording a collaborative session includes two phases. One is performed in real-time and includes determining portions of a composite image of collaborative session content that are constant over time or preprocessed. The portions are removed from the composite image of the collaborative session content. Remaining content of the composite image and any of the portions not already compressed is compressed and stored. A second phase is performed when off-line and includes decoding the remaining content of the composite image and the portions to reconstruct the composite image of the collaborative session content and formatting the composite image.

Abstract: An interface is realized that can prevent video signals from being copied easily and which uses a luminance/color difference signal transmission scheme with an excellent harmony with a television circuit. In a video transmission using a digital interface, colorimetry information for defining the conversion from the luminance/color difference signal into a primary color signal and video aspect ratio information are transmitted along with the luminance/color difference type video signal. This allows reproduction of video with high quality and high resolution and also realizes a copyright protection which allows only the users authorized by key information to use the content of the video. With this transmission scheme, it is possible to provide a transmitting apparatus, a receiving apparatus and an interface which highly harmonize with a rationalized television-based circuit.

Abstract: A communication apparatus comprising a digital interface and a detecting unit configured to detect a change in format of video data transmitted from the digital interface, wherein the communication apparatus is adapted to control the digital interface to set the digital interface in a disabled state in case of detecting by the detecting unit that the format of video data is changed.

Abstract: A format for accessing content such as a full-length move from an optical disc uses an XML description file stored on the disc to generate one or more screens that a user employs to access the content. The decoding requirements of a hardware or software player are reduced by discarding specific elements of an encoding standard such as MPEG4 that is used to encode the content on the disc. The maximum average and peak bitrates at which the data is transferred are limited to further reduce the demands on the player.

Abstract: A content moving device which enables providing content stored on a first user device, such as a DVR, in a first format and resolution to be provided to a second user device, such as a portable media player (PMP) in a second format and resolution. The content moving device identifies content on the first user device as candidate content which may be desired by the PMP and receives the candidate content from the DVR. The content moving device transcodes the candidate content at times independent of a request from the PMP for the content. The content moving device may provide a list of available transcoded content to the PMP for selection, and provide selected content to the PMP. The content moving device may also provide information relating to any protection schemes of the content provided to the PMP, such as DRM rights and decryption keys.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to methods and systems that may detect cadences and duplicate fields in a video sequence, and correct the sequence to retrieve the original progressive content. Methods according to the present invention may compare consecutive fields of the same parity for similarity, and consecutive fields of the opposite parity for field and frame activity. By analyzing patterns in the similarity and activity of the fields, the cadence may be determined. The invention also provides methods that may be used to adjust for changes in the cadence, such as can result from scene changes in the video stream.

Abstract: A video signal producing system includes an imaging device for obtaining progressive imaging signals having various frame rates, a recording device for recording an output signal of the imaging device and a reproduction device for reproducing a recording signal obtained from the recording device. The imaging device includes a frame rate converting portion for converting the imaging signals to an output having a predetermined frame rate and the reproduction device changes a reproduction speed in response to each of the various frame rates so as to generate an output having a substantial number of frames such that the substantial number of the frames assumes a predetermined value.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus providing a visual indication of the occurrence of video recording operations on an electronic device. The video recording operations including recording a plurality of frames according to a number of characteristics. The method comprising providing a time interval between the recording of two consecutive frames by modifying at least one of the characteristics of the video recording operations and providing the visual indication of video recording operations during the time interval.

Abstract: An integrated circuit or system receives a bit pattern from a metadata, IPG, and or EPG signal. This bit pattern is then coupled to a circuit to provide a content control command to a recorder or to a processing circuit to generate a content control signal. In particular the bit pattern may be utilized in a manner to program, enable, or disable the generated control signal. Furthermore this content control signal provides resistance to a circumvention device. For example, the circumvention device is unable to remove sufficiently the content control signal, and content control is maintained.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a playback apparatus includes a graphic unit, a central unit, and a control unit. The graphic unit is configured to generate a video signal to be outputted to a display device. The central unit is configured to decode a coded moving image data, and to execute a program in order to generate a second moving image data to be inputted to the graphic unit based on the decoded moving image data. The control unit is configured to change a frame rate of a moving image data in accordance with a capability of the central unit.

Abstract: Systems and methods for capturing communication signals are provided. An exemplary method comprises the steps of: installing a first type of tapping devices to obtain 32-bit communication signals; installing a recording system that is coupled to the first type of tapping devices; receiving the 32-bit communication signals from the first type of tapping devices via the recording system; responsive to receiving the 32-bit communication signals, converting the 32-bit communication signals into an 128-bit communication format via the recording system; and recording the converted 128-bit communication signals via the recording system.

Abstract: An audio relay apparatus and an audio relay method can relay audio data without being restricted by the reception capacity for receiving audio signals of a downstream audio output apparatus. An AV amp according to the present invention converts the format of the DVD audio data it receives from a DVD player, which is an upstream audio output apparatus, so as to make it match the audio reception capacity of a TV, which is a downstream audio output apparatus and transmits the obtained transformed audio data to the TV. Thus, it can transmit audio signals from the DVD player to the TV regardless of the audio reception capacity of the TV.

Abstract: A recording apparatus includes a synchronization-signal generator configured to generate a predetermined synchronization signal on the basis of a reference synchronization signal; a resolution converter configured to convert a second signal into a third signal when a received signal is the second signal, the second signal being different from a first signal having a first resolution and the second signal having a second resolution lower than the first resolution, and the third signal having the first resolution; a delayer configured to delay the first signal received when the received signal is the first signal, by a predetermined time taken to convert the second signal into the third signal; and a recorder configured to record the first signal delayed by the delayer or the third signal obtained by converting the second signal by the resolution converter, on a recording medium on the basis of the synchronization signal.

Abstract: Embodiments of a secure module recorder system and method for securing recording and storing of information is provided. The system may include at least one secure module and a docking station having at least one receptacle for holding one of the secure modules. The secure module may include a tamper-resistant case, an input port for receiving an analog signal, a recording circuit for converting the analog signal into digitally formatted data, a memory device for storing the digitally formatted data, a playback circuit for reading the digitally formatted data from the memory device and converting the digitally formatted data into an analog playback signal, and an output port for transmitting the analog playback signal. The docking station may further include a first interface for receiving the analog signal from an external device and a second interface disposed within the receptacle for interfacing with the input port of the secure module.

Abstract: A digital video recorder (DVR) and a method of operating the same. In one embodiment, the DVR includes: (1) a mass data storage unit that concurrently and continuously receives and digitally stores a plurality of channels and (2) a channel viewer, coupled to the mass data storage unit, that retrieves a portion of one of the plurality of channels from the mass data storage unit based on a received command and presents the portion on a video display device.

Abstract: A low-cost portable digital video player receives proprietary compressed data from a source such as a personal video recorder (PVR), and displays the data on an integral display. A rewritable non-volatile memory of the player stores the data and a media decoder of the player transforms and decompresses the data. According to one embodiment the decoder transforms the data to a non-proprietary format, prior to storing the data. According to a second embodiment, the memory stores the data in the proprietary format, and decoder transforms and decompresses the data in response to an instruction from a user input device, and transfers the decoded data to a display. A cradle for the player provides communications to the PVR, a power supply and optionally further storage capacity.

Abstract: An information handling system includes a video processor that provides a first video signal in a first video format; a display that receives a second video signal in a second video format; and another display that receives a third video signal in a third video format. The first, second, and third video formats are all different from each other. The information handling system also includes a mid-stream frame buffer that stores video information from the first, second, and third video signals, and a video selector coupled to the mid-stream frame buffer the video processor and the displays. The video selector converts the First video signal into the second and third video signals and couples the video processor to a selected display.

Abstract: Color difference signals of demodulated video are vertically filtered to be converted into 4:2:2 signals before subjected to OSD synthesis, after which those signals are once again vertically filtered as a sort of scaling to obtain the output resolution. As filtering is carried out in two stages, the frequency characteristic deteriorates.