Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program product are provided in order to provide device playback preferences in multimedia file metadata. A method is provided comprising identifying one or more playback devices; receiving a file to be played back; searching one or more data in the file for playback settings of the one or more playback devices; processing one or more playback settings for the one or more playback devices based on the one or more data; and causing play back of the file with the one or more playback devices. A corresponding apparatus and a computer program product are also provided.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes: a display unit including a screen; a detection unit configured to detect a position designated by a user on the screen; and a controller configured to display, with at least a partial range of a moving image being a display range, a plurality of images corresponding to a plurality of frames belonging to the display range by annularly arranging them in time series, and shift, when an operation is judged to be made along a direction in which the plurality of images are arranged based on a result of the detection by the detection unit, the display range in the moving image.

Abstract: A program delivery control system includes: a storage section that stores a playlist indicating a play order of items forming a program; an apparatus control section that controls an apparatus on the basis of the playlist stored in the storage section and that causes the storage section to store error information sent from the apparatus in correlation with the apparatus that issued the error information; and a playlist display control section that performs control so as to display the playlist stored in the storage section on a screen with an item being played indicated as such and, in a case where the error information is stored, with an item for which the apparatus that issued the error information is necessary provided with an error indication.

Abstract: A playback apparatus includes an obtaining unit obtaining playback management information including a main playback path of a main stream set, a first sub playback path of a first sub-stream set, and a second sub playback path of a second sub-stream set. The first and second sub playback paths are allowed for a predetermined category. A selection-receiver receives a selection of streams as a first combination or a second combination. A reading unit reads the corresponding stream sets according to whether the first or second combination is selected. A playback unit plays back the main stream set and the first or second sub-stream set. The number of files that are readable at one time is predetermined. The sub playback paths are determined so that the number of the files that are readable at one time does not exceed the predetermined number.

Abstract: A method of reproducing a video image is provided. The method includes reproducing a video image in a three-dimensional (3D) manner, being requested to reproduce the video image at an Nx playback speed (N is a natural number equal to or greater than 2), and in response to the request, reproducing the video image at the Nx playback speed. The reproducing of the video image at the Nx playback speed comprises includes reproducing the video image at the Nx playback speed in a two-dimensional (2D) manner.

Abstract: A digital video recorder (DVR) system with an integrated DVD recording device accepts TV input streams in a multitude of forms. Analog TV streams are converted to an MPEG formatted stream for internal transfer and manipulation, while pre-formatted MPEG streams are extracted from the digital TV signal and presented in a similar format. Indexes within the MPEG stream are determined and saved at predefined intervals and are stored on a hard disk along with the MPEG program material and used to create navigation packets when writing to a DVD inserted in an integrated DVD player/recorder. When a program is requested for display from the hard disk or the integrated DVD player/recorder, the program material are extracted from the appropriate source and reassembled into an MPEG stream which is sent to a decoder. The decoder converts the MPEG stream into TV output signals and delivers the TV output signals to a TV monitor.

Abstract: A remote control for a digital video recorder includes an integrated display screen configured to display a recording list including programs scheduled to be recorded.

Abstract: Storage emulation control is described. In embodiment(s), a logical storage media can be emulated to a video processor of a video processing device where the logical storage media includes at least an internal storage media and an external storage media of the video processing device. A video processor command to initiate recording of video content on the logical storage media can be received, and the video processor command can then be arbitrated to record the video content on at least one of the internal storage media and the external storage media.

Abstract: A method includes receiving, from a first user of a media distribution system, first wish list data identifying a program and a first program option associated with the program. When the first wish list data is received, the program is not scheduled for transmission via the media distribution system based on a published program guide available to the first user. The method also includes receiving, from a second user of the media distribution system, second wish list data identifying the program and a second program option associated with the program. The method further includes determining interest in the program based on the first program option and the second program option.

Abstract: A content playback information estimation apparatus, for estimating a state on playback of content, that is provided between a distribution server and a terminal in a system in which the distribution server distributes the content to the terminal via a network and the terminal plays the content, the content playback information estimation apparatus including: a unit configured to obtain packet data distributed from the distribution server to the terminal and to store the packet data in a storage unit; a unit configured to estimate a data amount in a buffer of the terminal based on obtained packet data; and a unit configured to estimate a state on playback at each time of the content in the terminal by comparing the estimated data amount with a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A recording apparatus is arranged to control a file name of recorded moving image file and a file name of the recorded. still image file, so as to, after a recording stop instruction, in accordance with the file name of at least one of the moving image file and still, image file recorded in a period of time from a recording start instruction to the recording stop instruction, change the file name of at least one of the moving image file and still image file recorded in that period so that the file names of the plurality of moving image files recorded in that period have consecutive file numbers corresponding to recording order of the moving image files and the file names of the plurality of still image files recorded in that period have consecutive file numbers corresponding to recording order of the still image files.

Abstract: For a content-prerecorded large capacity disc-shaped recording medium, a user interface having high flexibility is accomplished. Button image data, corresponding sound data as an effect sound, and control commands for the sound data and image data are multiplexed with a stream and recorded on the disc. A scenario reproduced from the disc is stored in a buffer. The image data and sound data are stored in a buffer. Image data is read from the buffer in accordance with a scenario and expanded to a graphics plane. In addition, corresponding sound data is read from the buffer and reproduced by a sound player. When a button image is varied in accordance with a state change of the button, an effect sound is reproduced. As a result, a more effective user interface is accomplished.

Abstract: Systems and methods for adaptive bitrate streaming of alternative streams of video encoded at resolution and sample aspect ratio combinations and maximum bitrates in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. In one embodiment of the invention, a source encoder configured to encode a source video stream as a plurality of alternative streams of video for playback on a playback device includes a processor configured to receive multimedia content including source video data having a primary resolution, a primary sample aspect ratio, and a primary frame rate and to encode the source video data as alternative streams of video, where the resolution and sample aspect ratio of at least one of the alternative streams of video are selected to have an aspect ratio that is the same as a predetermined display aspect ratio and at least one of the alternative streams is encoded at a maximum bitrate.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of controlling playback of media content can include: receiving a delivery indication that a disc having media content stored thereon has been physically received by a user at a delivery location; receiving an authorization code and a disc identifier via a web interface, where the authorization code is determined by a disc player in response to the disc being inserted into the disc player; determining whether the user is authorized to playback the media content on the disc player based on the disc identifier, the delivery indication, and the authorization code; and providing an unlock code via the web interface if the user is determined to be authorized to playback the media content on the disc player, where the unlock code is to be entered via the disc player to allow the playback of the media content.

Abstract: A record/playback device includes a recording unit, an operation unit, an interface unit, and a control unit. The recording unit is configured to record an image including one or more frames as one clip and play back a recorded image. The operation unit is configured to have a combined operating element including a first operating element and a second operating element. The interface unit is configured to prepare a list of clips by collecting specific frames for a predetermined number of clips. The control unit is configured to carry out control of changing a clip operated on the basis of the operation direction of the first operating element and to prepare a menu-displaying command signal to display a menu on which items for operating the clip are described when the second operating element is operated.

Abstract: Non-destructive editing of a movie stream recorded with management information attached thereto according to a predetermined standard format is performed. First, an entry for desired content from among real play lists is added to a virtual play list. In the virtual play list, a playback content editing operation is performed. The process of editing a virtual play list that does not contain content of an entity involves non-destructive editing that does not accompany editing of the content of an entity. In addition, non-destructive editing of a virtual play list only requires the updating of a management information file, and only involves an increase in the used amount of the recording medium by the additional amount of the management information even if a playback section is copied, thus improving user convenience.

Abstract: A first proximity-based device at a content player receives content modification data from a second proximity-based device within a product and/or a product package when the product or product package is placed within a proximity to the first proximity-based device. A processor at the content player performs modified playback of media content based on the content modification data.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a playback apparatus, a playback method, a program, a recording medium, and a data structure that enable interactive operations when playing back AV content. A controller 34 obtains an order list of audio stream numbers in advance. In response to an instruction to switch audio by a user, the controller obtains the audio stream number subsequent to the audio stream number which is being played back. It is then checked whether a stream that is found to be playable by the playback apparatus is included in a main clip or a sub clip, and the main clip referred to by the Main Path is read together with the clip in which the corresponding audio stream is multiplexed. Then, the audio stream file of the corresponding clip and the file to be played back included in the main clip are selected by the switches 57 through 59, and 77. The selected files are combined by a video data processor 96 and an audio data processor 97, and the combined data is output.

Abstract: Multimedia content containing moving pictures and audio is divided into multiple scenes and metadata is generated for each of the scenes obtained as a result of the division. It is possible to generate metadata containing scene structure information metadata that describes the hierarchical structure of the content in addition to scene section information and titles. Also, a name or an identifier of each descriptor contained in the metadata is described as hint information for manipulation of metadata composed of at least one descriptor describing semantic content, a structure, and characteristics of content.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus and a method determining a data arrangement that guarantees seamless reproduction even in a case of occurrence of a jump in a browsable slide show. An allowable jump range between an image data clip and an audio data clip required for data reading in the browsable slide show in which a consecutive reproduction processing of a still image and an audio reproduction processing are performed in parallel is determined so as to determine arrangement conditions of data to be stored in an information recording medium on the basis of the determined allowable jump range. This configuration enables the browsable slide show to be carried out as a seamless reproduction processing without any data discontinuity. Furthermore, it becomes possible to provide a plurality of combinations of readout rates of the audio data and image data.

Abstract: In an embodiment, if a number of segments of a video in a buffer after a buffer position is less than a play threshold, then a first plurality of segments is sent into the buffer in time order; and if the number of the segments in the buffer at the buffer position is not less than the play threshold, a second plurality of segments is sent to the buffer in popularity order, wherein the second plurality of segments are stored into the buffer in time order.

Abstract: A storage medium including audio-video (AV) data and application programs for providing additional functions using the AV data includes: movie mode data for reproducing audio-visual (AV) data; program mode data including a plurality of application programs for providing additional functions using the AV data; system data for controlling the execution of the movie mode data and the program mode data; and management information for managing the execution of the application programs in a unit of title, wherein the system data comprises mode information indicating whether a reproduction mode of a title to be reproduced is a movie mode or a program mode.

Abstract: A method for organizing individual collections of images or videos captured for the same event by different cameras into a master collection, wherein each individual collection forms a media stream in chronological order, includes using a processor to provide the following steps: extracting image features for each image or video of the media stream of each individual collection; analyzing the extracted features to align the media streams to form a master stream in chronological order of the event over a common timeline; producing a master collection of images or videos of the event from the master stream by removing redundant images or videos; and storing, displaying or transmitting the master collection.

Abstract: A network device can manage the storing of content. In one aspect, the content may be managed to prevent the storing of multiple versions of the same content. A deduplication process may be performed by comparing digests generated at user devices. Based on the comparison of the digests, the network device can efficiently and effectively manage the retrieving and storing of content.

Abstract: Provided are an apparatus and method for providing additional information of media content. In digital contents management, the apparatus for providing additional information of media content includes a media source, a media renderer, an additional information analyzer, a smart progress bar, and an additional information renderer. The media source receives media and additional information from a local file, a portable storage medium or a network and transfers the received media and additional information into the apparatus. The media renderer renders the received media to a user. The additional information analyzer analyzes the received additional information. The smart progress bar controls the playback of the media based on the analyzed additional information. The additional information renderer displays the additional information to the user by controlling the smart progress bar.

Abstract: An exemplary recording apparatus records video data and audio data in a recording medium in an MPEG4 file format. A first MPEG4 file format generating circuit generates MPEG4 data including multiplexing information on a multiplexing of the video data and the audio data stored in a MOOV BOX of the MPEG4 file format. A second MPEG4 file format generating circuit configured to: generate MPEG4 data including the multiplexing information stored in a MOOF BOX of the MPEG4 file format; store reproduction information required for reproducing the MPEG4 data generated by the first MPEG4 file format generating circuit from the generated MPEG4 data in a BOX of the MPEG4 file format for storing types of data that are ignored at a time of playing MPEG4 data; and to output the MPEG4 data to an external apparatus via the transmitting unit. A controller records the MPEG4 data in a recording medium.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for providing and displaying enhanced banners and other objects on a communication device. The banner file may comprise ancillary data, such as calendar appointment details, other event details, or contact details, embedded within the file itself, or comprised in an envelope wrapping the banner file. When the banner is displayed on the communication device, the user may invoke a context menu to create an event, such as a calendar event, on the device using the embedded ancillary data. In other embodiments, the communication device uses geolocation services to determine whether the user is likely to be in attendance at an event, and if not, to issue alerts or initiate a further action, such as initiating recording of a television program the user is about to miss, over the network. In other embodiments, the banner file's ancillary data includes recommendation data, identifying a banner as being recommended by a contact of the user's.

Abstract: A computing system may process a plurality of audiovisual files to determine a mapping between audio characteristics and visual characteristics. The computing system may process an audio playlist to determine audio characteristics of the audio playlist. The computing system may determine, using the mapping, visual characteristics that are complementary to the audio characteristics of the audio playlist. The computing system may search a plurality of images to find one or more image(s) that have the determined visual characteristics. The computing system may link or associate the one or more image(s) that have the determined visual characteristics to the audio playlist such that the one or more images are displayed on a screen of the computing device during playback of the audio playlist.

Abstract: A video disk player includes (i) a disk reading section for reading out video data, a program, synchronization timing information from an optical disk; (ii) a clock for generating a clock signal; (iii) a decoder for converting, in accordance with the clock signal, the video data into decompressed video data for reproduction output; (iv) a video reproducing section including a synchronization control section for transmitting, in accordance with the clock signal, a synchronization control signal to the program executing section at a timing specified by a field timing contained in the synchronization timing information, and (v) a program executing section for executing a program in accordance with the synchronization control signal received from the synchronization control section. This makes it possible to efficiently execute the program in synchronization with reproduction of AV data or the like.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for play back a digitized video streams at different fast forward speed levels, wherein at least one speed level is adapted so that a remaining portion of the stream is played back within a predefined time interval, and to a playback device for playing back a digitized video streams at different speed levels.

Abstract: A method and apparatus successively reproduce moving picture files stored in a digital image processing apparatus. The digital image processing apparatus includes a moving picture detector that detects one or more moving picture files from a storage unit which stores one or more kinds of files, a frame classifier that classifies the one or more detected moving picture files based on index frames of the moving picture files, and a successive reproducing unit that reproduces the classified moving picture files successively.

Abstract: An image processing device includes: a parameter generating unit configured to receive supply of raw moving image data which is moving image data in an undeveloped state, and generate a development parameter as to a target frame of the raw moving image data; and a recording control unit configured to perform control so as to record the supplied raw moving image data, and the development parameter generated by the parameter generating unit in a predetermined recording medium in a correlated manner with each other. Thus, raw moving image data which is moving image data before development processing can be suitably employed.

Abstract: A system for managing and searching for a digital video includes: a video feature point extraction unit decoding an input video and extracting a feature point; a video feature point database (DB) storing and managing a feature point of a video to be compared (i.e., a comparison target video), and a video feature point comparison unit coarsely comparing the feature point of the input video and that of the comparison target video to acquire a candidate group, and minutely comparing the candidate group to detect a content repeated section, and informing a user of the content repeated section.

Abstract: A playback control device includes a selection means for selecting a moving picture of a moving picture file having a file name satisfying prescribed conditions or a moving picture of a moving picture file having a prescribed file format and a still picture in still pictures and moving pictures, and a playback control means for controlling playback of the still pictures and the moving pictures so that still pictures and the moving pictures selected by the selection means are played back sequentially in the prescribed order.

Abstract: In accordance with an example embodiment a method and apparatus is provided. The method comprises facilitating receiving of a preference information associated with a media content comprising a set of frames. A score is assigned to at least one frame of the set of frames by at least one filter. The score is assigned based on the preference information and a weight associated with the at least one filter. A rank is determined for the at least one frame based on the score.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide a method for processing metadata associated with digital video in a multi-state video computer readable medium. The method specifies a set of rules for propagating the metadata between different states in the video computer readable medium. It then propagates the metadata between the states based on the specified set of rules.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus which presents a viewing schedule of a video content to a user is disclosed. The apparatus includes: a first acquiring means for acquiring a broadcast schedule of a broadcast content to be broadcast; a second acquiring means for acquiring information about a recorded content that has been recorded and an on-demand content that has been downloaded; a generating means for arranging the broadcast content, the recorded content, and the on-demand content on a same time axis as these contents are mixed, and generating the viewing schedule; and a display control means for displaying the generated viewing schedule.

Abstract: A reproduction apparatus comprises a reproduction unit configured to reproduce image data from a recording medium; a recognition unit configured to recognize users in response to reproduction of selected image data; and a control unit configured to inhibit deletion of the selected image data from the recording medium, in a case where there is a user, other than users recognized by the recognition unit, who has not reproduced the selected image data among a plurality of predetermined users.

Abstract: Provided is a method of controlling a digital photographing apparatus recording moving image data being input to a recording medium in a moving image photographing mode. The method includes creating a moving image file in the recording medium and storing the moving image data being input in the moving image file when a first signal is generated by a first button of the digital photographing apparatus pressed by a user, stopping storing of the moving image data being input when the first signal is generated by a second button of the digital photographing apparatus pressed by the user, continuing to store the moving image data being input in the moving image file when a second signal is generated by the second button pressed by the user, and stopping storing of the moving image data being input and completing the moving image file when the second signal is generated by the first button pressed by the user.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a digital video recorder (DVR) having a controller to record video content supplied by a media communication system, establish a threshold for utilization of a memory resource of the DVR, detect a utilization of the memory resource that exceeds the threshold, generate a notice describing the utilization of the memory resource at or after the time the threshold was exceeded, identify a communication identifier associated with a portable communication device, transmit the notice to the portable communication device according to the identified communication identifier, and receive a response message from the portable communication device that includes one or more instructions to manage the memory resource of the DVR. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A closed caption tagging system provides a mechanism for inserting tags into an audio or video television broadcast stream prior to or at the time of transmission. The tags contain command and control information that the receiver translates and acts upon. The receiver receives the broadcast stream and detects and processes the tags within the broadcast stream which is stored on a storage device that resides on the receiver. Program material from the broadcast stream is played back to the viewer from the storage device. Tags indicate the start and end points of a program segment. Program segments such as commercials are automatically replaced by the receiver with new program segments that are selected based on various criteria.

Abstract: Various systems and methods for comparing media signals are disclosed. In some embodiments, media signals are compared by identifying characteristic features in the respective signals and then analyzing the characteristic features to determine if the signals contain corresponding content. In other embodiments, the characteristic features are analyzed to determine the extent to which the signals are synchronized in time.

Abstract: A portable telephone 100 with broadcast receiving function has a portable telephone device and a digital broadcast receiving apparatus. A recording format selection section 116 in the digital broadcast receiving apparatus records, in a recording section 117 such as nonvolatile semiconductor memory, any of a video signal, an audio signal and a data signal which are separated by a transport stream (TS) separating section 105, in accordance with a designated recording format or contents of a broadcast program, from a recording start time to a recording end time. An attempt is made to make the quantity of data signal to be recorded in the recording section 117 appropriate, and diminish power consumed by a battery of the portable telephone 100 with broadcast receiving function.

Abstract: A playback device includes tangible storage configured to receive transfer of media content from a remote communications device to the playback device while the remote communications device is operating in a high power mode. Interface logic is coupled to the tangible storage and configured to signal the remote communications device during the transfer to prepare the remote communications device to enter a low power mode after the transfer is complete. The remote communications device includes a content manager configured to transfer of media content from the remote communications device to a playback device while the remote communications device is operating in a high power mode. Power logic is coupled to the content manager and configured to prepare the remote communications device to enter a low power mode after the transfer is complete, responsive to receipt of a signal from the playback device during the transfer is complete.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes an obtaining unit, a specifying unit, a search processing unit, and an output unit. The obtaining unit obtains at least one content including a sound. The specifying unit receives a specification for specifying sound information, the sound information being in relation with an icon symbolizing a scene content and expressing the scene content, as a scene search condition. The search processing unit compares the sound information, the specification for specifying the sound information being received as the scene search condition, with the sound included in the at least one content, to thereby search a content including the sound information in the sound. The output unit outputs information on the content searched by the search processing unit.

Abstract: A multiple recording device management system including an intermediate multiple recording device managing apparatus, a vehicle recording device mounted in a police vehicle and synced to the managing apparatus, and a personal recording device carried by a police officer and wirelessly synced to the managing apparatus. The managing apparatus is operable to detect when the vehicle recording device, personal recording device, or any other synced device in range has begun recording and to transmit a communication signal to any synced recording device in range indicating that the recording device should begin recording and to further transmit a time stamp to synced recording devices for corroborating recorded data.

Abstract: A moving image reproducing apparatus which performs blur correction focusing on a portion highly likely to be paid attention by a user, in reproduction operation without user's specific operation. The moving image reproducing apparatus is connected to a recording medium that records moving image data. A moving image data recorded in the recording medium is searched, based on a designated search condition, a motion vector calculating position for blur correction is set to the searched moving image data based on the search condition, a motion vector of the searched moving image data is calculated based on the motion vector calculating position, a blur correction cut-out region of the searched moving image data is set based on the calculated motion vector and the searched moving image data is subjected to blur correction, and a moving image data subjected to the blur correction is output.

Abstract: In an information processing apparatus, a cue playback decision unit 610 determines, based on recording information acquired from a recording information storage unit in which a recorded content having a program recorded and the recording information of the recorded content are associated with each other, whether or not a recorded content of a playback target is a recorded content whose recording is started prior to starting time of the program and which is to be played back by cue playback. A time confirmation unit 612 acquires, when it is determined that the recorded content is a recorded content to be played back by cue playback, recording starting time included in the recording information of the recorded content of the playback target from the recording information storage unit.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the production of an application for transcoding video files for devices having limited computing power by means of using a grid computing platform. The platform offers storage space for the user (making use of the distributed storage capacity of the GRID platform and its own security mechanisms) where both the original video and the transcoded video will be stored. The solution also provides the device with middleware with GRID capacities in order to achieve complete GRID integration. That means that the transcoding application could either be run directly in the terminal or in the GRID.

Abstract: A file for storing digital data with high compression rate stores digital data for video and audio signals in multiple streams interleaved with each other. Each track has a stream descriptor list and a stream data list. The stream descriptor list includes a stream header chunk, a stream format chunk, and a stream name chunk. For a video stream, the stream descriptor list also includes a stream header data chunk if the video stream is under digital rights management (DRM) protection. The file format is compatible with high level data compressing algorithms, such as MPEG-4, which provide data compression ratio about six to ten times higher than a standard DVD format.