A first media server delivers content for broadcast via a first media channel, and a second media server delivers media content for broadcast via a second media channel. The first media server operates in a synchronized mode, under control of the second media server during some periods of time, and during other periods of time operates in an independent mode. When operating in the synchronized mode, content delivered by the first and second media servers can be synchronized, so that the timing of spot blocks played on the two servers generally coincides. When the first server operates in the independent mode, the timing of spot blocks and other content broadcast on the first media channel are not synchronized under control of the second media server.

A method for adding Time Marker Packets, TMPs, comprising Metadata to an MPEG-2 transport stream transmitted via a broadcast network for providing a deterministic transport stream, comprising providing feeds of data from at least one source, where the feeds comprise payload packets being referenced by a common 1 PPS reference, and where the feeds are input to at least one multiplexer, MUX; providing Time Marker Packets, TMPs, as input to each multiplexer, where each TMP comprises a plurality of time stamps per second measured relative to said 1 PPS reference, and each TMP has a value representing an Absolute Program Clock Reference, APCR, at the time of transmission, where the APCR is based on the Epoch time, and where the TMP packet further comprises PCR, OPCR locked to said 1 PPS and UTC leap seconds. The invention is further defined by a device for executing said method, as well as a method for coding a deterministic transport stream in a Single Frequency Network, SFN, and a device for executing this method.

A method for adding Time Marker Packets, TMPs, comprising Metadata to an MPEG-2 transport stream transmitted via a broadcast network for providing a deterministic transport stream, comprising providing feeds of data from at least one source, where the feeds comprise payload packets being referenced by a common 1 PPS reference, and where the feeds are input to at least one multiplexer, MUX; providing Time Marker Packets, TMPs, as input to each multiplexer, where each TMP comprises a plurality of time stamps per second measured relative to said 1 PPS reference, and each TMP has a value representing an Absolute Program Clock Reference, APCR, at the time of transmission, where the APCR is based on the Epoch time, and where the TMP packet further comprises PCR, OPCR locked to said 1 PPS and UTC leap seconds. The invention is further defined by a device for executing said method, as well as a method for coding a deterministic transport stream in a Single Frequency Network, SFN, and a device for executing this method.

A method and associated software application (app) for synchronizing audio across a plurality of mobile devices such as smart phones. In some implementations, the method syncs all the smart phones together allowing users to use the headsets on the smart phones instead of having to use speakers. In some implementations, the application syncs the audio by first downloading the audio onto the smart phones and then syncing it across the smart phones by using in conjunction, the clock on the smart phone, the clock on a server and/or the time obtained from GPS satellites.

A system includes a media distribution device including a first network interface, a second network interface, and a first processor. The first processor configures the first network interface to use a first communication network, and broadcasts, using the first communication network, audio data. The system includes a media device including a third network interface, a fourth network interface, and a second processor. The second processor causes, using the third network interface, the media device to join the first communication network, receives, using the third network interface, a first portion of the audio data, processes the first portion of the audio data to generate first audio output, and transmits, using the fourth network interface, a control signal to the second network interface of the media distribution device. The control signal is configured to cause the first processor to modify an attribute of the audio data or stop broadcasting the audio data.

A system includes a media distribution device including a first network interface, a second network interface, and a first processor. The first processor configures the first network interface to use a first communication network, and broadcasts, using the first communication network, audio data. The system includes a media device including a third network interface, a fourth network interface, and a second processor. The second processor causes, using the third network interface, the media device to join the first communication network, receives, using the third network interface, a first portion of the audio data, processes the first portion of the audio data to generate first audio output, and transmits, using the fourth network interface, a control signal to the second network interface of the media distribution device. The control signal is configured to cause the first processor to modify an attribute of the audio data or stop broadcasting the audio data.

Provided is a method for transmitting a broadcasting content and a line content, the broadcasting content and the line content being synchronously displayed, the method including: generating a line parity packet from a plurality of line data packets in each of which the line content is stored; transmitting the line data packet and the line parity packet through a communication line; and transmitting a plurality of broadcasting data packets in each of which the broadcasting content is stored, from a base station using a broadcasting wave, a transfer clock time of the broadcasting content being delayed by a predetermined time compared with a transfer clock time of the line content. At this point, video quality can be improved when the real-time broadcasting program content and the real-time line content are simultaneously displayed.

Provided is a method for transmitting a broadcasting content and a line content, the broadcasting content and the line content being synchronously displayed, the method including: generating a line parity packet from a plurality of line data packets in each of which the line content is stored; transmitting the line data packet and the line parity packet through a communication line; and transmitting a plurality of broadcasting data packets in each of which the broadcasting content is stored, from a base station using a broadcasting wave, a transfer clock time of the broadcasting content being delayed by a predetermined time compared with a transfer clock time of the line content. At this point, video quality can be improved when the real-time broadcasting program content and the real-time line content are simultaneously displayed.

Embodiments are provided for syncing multiple electronic devices for collective audio playback. According to certain aspects, a master device connects (218) to a slave device via a wireless connection. The master device calculates (224) a network latency via a series of network latency pings with the slave device and sends (225) the network latency to the slave device. Further, the master devices sends (232) a portion of an audio file as well as a timing instruction including a system time to the slave device. The master device initiates (234) playback of the portion of the audio file and the slave devices initiates (236) playback of the portion of the audio file according to the timing instruction and a calculated system clock offset value.

Embodiments are provided for syncing multiple electronic devices for collective audio playback. According to certain aspects, a master device connects (218) to a slave device via a wireless connection. The master device calculates (224) a network latency via a series of network latency pings with the slave device and sends (225) the network latency to the slave device. Further, the master devices sends (232) a portion of an audio file as well as a timing instruction including a system time to the slave device. The master device initiates (234) playback of the portion of the audio file and the slave devices initiates (236) playback of the portion of the audio file according to the timing instruction and a calculated system clock offset value.