A system is described for maintaining synchrony of operations among a plurality of devices that have independent clocking arrangements. The system includes a task distribution device that distributes tasks to a synchrony group comprising a plurality of devices that are to perform the tasks distributed by the task distribution device in synchrony. The task distribution device distributes each task to the members of the synchrony group over a network. Each task is associated with a time stamp that indicates a time, relative to a clock maintained by the task distribution device, at which the members of the synchrony group are to execute the task. Each member of the synchrony group periodically obtains from the task distribution device an indication of the current time indicated by its clock, determines a time differential between the task distribution device's clock and its respective clock and determines therefrom a time at which, according to its respective clock, the time stamp indicates that it is to execute the task.

Methods and apparatus provide for: recording a first sequence of video images output by a videogame, recording a sequence of depth buffer values for a depth buffer used by the videogame, recording a sequence of in-game virtual camera positions used to generate the video images, recording one or more in-game events and their respective in-game positions, generating a second sequence of video images encoding the depth buffer value sequence, and associating the in-game virtual camera position sequence, with at least one of the first and second sequence of video images. Methods and apparatus also provide for: obtaining a first video recording of a videogame playing session comprising a sequence of video images, obtaining a second video recording generated by encoding a depth buffer value sequence, obtaining data indicative of an in-game virtual camera position sequence that is associated with at least one of the obtained video recordings, obtaining data indicative of a statistically significant in-game event and an in-game event position, calculating a position within a current video image of the first video recording corresponding to the in-game event position, in dependence upon the associated in-game virtual camera position and decoded depth buffer values, and augmenting the current video image with a graphical representation of the statistically significant in-game event, responsive to the calculated position.

A method of mapping a virtual environment includes: obtaining a first sequence of video images output by a videogame title; obtaining a corresponding sequence of in-game virtual camera positions at which the video images were created; obtaining a corresponding sequence of depth buffer values for a depth buffer used by the videogame whilst creating the video images; and, for each of a plurality of video images and corresponding depth buffer values of the obtained sequences, obtain mapping points corresponding to a selected predetermined set of depth values corresponding to a predetermined set of positions within a respective video image; where for each pair of depth values and video image positions, a mapping point has a distance from the virtual camera position based upon the depth value, and a position based upon the relative positions of the virtual camera and the respective video image position, thereby obtaining a map dataset of mapping points corresponding to the first sequence of video images.

A system is described for maintaining synchrony of operations among a plurality of devices that have independent clocking arrangements. The system includes a task distribution device that distributes tasks to a synchrony group comprising a plurality of devices that are to perform the tasks distributed by the task distribution device in synchrony. The task distribution device distributes each task to the members of the synchrony group over a network. Each task is associated with a time stamp that indicates a time, relative to a clock maintained by the task distribution device, at which the members of the synchrony group are to execute the task. Each member of the synchrony group periodically obtains from the task distribution device an indication of the current time indicated by its clock, determines a time differential between the task distribution device's clock and its respective clock and determines therefrom a time at which, according to its respective clock, the time stamp indicates that it is to execute the task.

A video recording method includes recording a sequence of video images output by a videogame, recording a sequence of depth buffer values for a depth buffer used by the videogame, recording a sequence of in-game virtual camera positions used to generate the video images, recording one or more in-game events and their respective in-game positions, associating the depth buffer value sequence, the in-game virtual camera position sequence, and an identifier for the videogame, with the video image sequence, and associating the one or more in-game events and their respective in-game positions with the identifier for the videogame. A video playback method includes obtaining a video recording of a videogame playing session, comprising a sequence of video images, obtaining a depth buffer value sequence, an in-game virtual camera position sequence, and an identifier for the videogame that are associated with the video recording, obtaining data indicative of a statistically significant in-game event and an in-game event position, calculating a position within the current video image corresponding to the in-game event position, in dependence upon the associated in-game virtual camera position and depth buffer values, and augmenting the current video image with a graphical representation of the statistically significant in-game event, responsive to the calculated position.

A method of capturing free viewpoint content at a location includes recording video on each of a plurality of portable video recording devices at the location; each portable video recording device detecting a wireless synchronisation signal transmitted at the location; and each portable video recording device periodically adding a timestamp to its respective recorded video; where the timestamp is responsive to the detected wireless synchronisation signal, thereby enabling synchronisation of a plurality of recorded videos responsive to the timestamps.

An apparatus for generating a presentation from content having original audio and video components is described wherein an environment detector is configured to output an environment-type signal indicating a detected particular environment. An acoustics memory is configured to output selected acoustic characteristics indicative of the environment identified by the environment-type signal. An audio processor receives the audio components and the acoustic characteristics and operates to modify the original audio components to produce modified audio components based on the selected acoustic characteristics. The presentation including the modified audio components is output.

The disclosure provides a method, device and system for recording information, a storage medium and a processing unit. The method for recording information includes that: non-Audio/Video (AV) information forming a preset association relationship with a first target file is acquired, wherein the first target file includes AV information; and the AV information and the non-AV information are synchronously recorded according to an information synchronization condition.

Methods and apparatus provide for: recording a sequence of video images output by a videogame, recording a sequence of depth buffer values for a depth buffer used by the videogame, recording a sequence of in-game virtual camera positions used to generate the video images, recording one or more in-game events and their respective in-game positions, associating the depth buffer value sequence, the in-game virtual camera position sequence, and an identifier for the videogame, with the video image sequence, and associating the one or more in-game events and their respective in-game positions with the identifier for the videogame. Methods an apparatus also provide for: obtaining a video recording of a videogame playing session, comprising a sequence of video images, obtaining a depth buffer value sequence, an in-game virtual camera position sequence, and an identifier for the videogame that are associated with the video recording, obtaining data indicative of a statistically significant in-game event and an in-game event position, calculating a position within the current video image corresponding to the in-game event position, in dependence upon the associated in-game virtual camera position and depth buffer values, and augmenting the current video image with a graphical representation of the statistically significant in-game event, responsive to the calculated position.

A system is described for maintaining synchrony of operations among a plurality of devices that have independent clocking arrangements. The system includes a task distribution device that distributes tasks to a synchrony group comprising a plurality of devices that are to perform the tasks distributed by the task distribution device in synchrony. The task distribution device distributes each task to the members of the synchrony group over a network. Each task is associated with a time stamp that indicates a time, relative to a clock maintained by the task distribution device, at which the members of the synchrony group are to execute the task. Each member of the synchrony group periodically obtains from the task distribution device an indication of the current time indicated by its clock, determines a time differential between the task distribution device's clock and its respective clock and determines therefrom a time at which, according to its respective clock, the time stamp indicates that it is to execute the task.