A system and methods for permitting open access to data objects and for securing data within the data objects is disclosed. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method for securing a data object is disclosed. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method for securing a data object is disclosed. The method includes the steps of (1) providing a data object comprising digital data and file format information; (2) embedding independent data into a data object; and (3) scrambling the data object to degrade the data object to a predetermined signal quality level. The steps of embedding and scrambling may be performed until a predetermined condition is met. The method may also include the steps of descrambling the data object to upgrade the data object to a predetermined signal quality level, and decoding the embedded independent data.

Disclosed are a data download method and a method and electronic device for jointly playing high-fidelity sounds of multiple players includes: receiving first sound data of a HIFI audio format and second sound data of a second audio format; transmitting the first sound data of the HIFI audio format to a first processor for decoding, decoding the second sound data of the second audio format, and converting the decoded second sound data into the second audio data of a PCM format; controlling the first processor to convert the second sound data of the PCM format into the second sound data of the HIFI audio format; and mixing and playing the first sound data and the second sound data of the HIFI audio format. The disclosure realizes reminder function while ensuring sound mixing joint playing of multiple paths of sound sources.

Various audio encoders and methods of using the same are disclosed. In one aspect, an apparatus is provided that includes an audio encoder and an audio encoder mode selector. The audio encoder mode selector is operable to analyze video data and adjust an encoding mode of the audio encoder based on the analyzed video data.

There is provided a recording apparatus which can effectively execute compression processing regardless of the mixdown level, and which can thereby carry out the mastering process easily. A DSP mixes down audio signals assigned to a plurality of tracks into a stereo audio signal. When performing the mastering process, the DSP normalizes the stereo audio signal before performing the compression processing, subsequently carries out the compression processing, then performs normalization again so as to produce master data, and records the master data in a recorder.

A method and device for playing audio are provided. The method for playing audio includes the following steps: acquiring audio playing information corresponding to an audio playing instruction when the audio playing instruction is received (S10); determining whether audio data obtained after an audio file corresponding to the audio playing information is decoded is stored in a preset storage location (S20); and if yes, invoking the audio data for audio playing (S30).

In an imaging device or an imaging system, it becomes possible to generate a moving image file in which audio and a moving image are synchronized with each other even if moving image capturing is started from the middle of music. Upon receiving an operation input for audio reproduction execution, the imaging device causes an audio decoder to execute an operation, and outputs audio data to a speaker. At this time, a reproduction position in audio coded data is calculated, and reproduction position data is sent to a multiplexer. Upon receiving an operation input for moving image capturing execution, a moving image encoder and the multiplexer are caused to execute operations. The multiplexer multiplexes the reproduction position data to moving image coded data and the audio coded data, to generate a moving image file.

Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed for source classification using HDMI audio metadata. An example apparatus includes a metadata extractor to extract values of audio encoding parameters from HDMI metadata obtained from a monitored HDMI port of a media device, the HDMI metadata corresponding to media being output from the monitored HDMI port; map the extracted values of the audio encoding parameters to a first unique encoding class (UEC) in a set of defined UECs, different ones of the set of defined UECs corresponding to different combinations of possible values of the audio encoding parameters capable of being included in the HDMI metadata; and identify a media source corresponding to the media output from the HDMI port based on one or more possible media sources mapped to the first UEC.

Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed for source classification using HDMI audio metadata. An example apparatus includes a metadata extractor to extract values of audio encoding parameters from HDMI metadata obtained from a monitored HDMI port of a media device, the HDMI metadata corresponding to media being output from the monitored HDMI port; map the extracted values of the audio encoding parameters to a first unique encoding class (UEC) in a set of defined UECs, different ones of the set of defined UECs corresponding to different combinations of possible values of the audio encoding parameters capable of being included in the HDMI metadata; and identify a media source corresponding to the media output from the HDMI port based on one or more possible media sources mapped to the first UEC.