A controller for calibrating a videoconferencing system is disclosed. The system includes a first codec connected to a second codec through a videoconferencing connection. The controller includes an output in communication with the first codec for controlling the first codec to transmit a videoconferencing signal to the second codec through the videoconferencing connection, and an input for receiving a calibration adjustment value from another controller over a network, where the other controller is in communication with the second codec. The controller is configured to adjust a signal level setting of the first codec using a level adjustment command of the first codec, and the level adjustment command is determined according to the calibration adjustment value transmitted by the other controller.

Methods, systems, and computer readable media can be operable to monitor for and alert the occurrence of pre-failure indicators at a set-top box (STB) disk. Results of self-monitoring tests, short tests, and maximum/minimum performance tests may be used to identify the potential for a STB disk failure. Moreover, critical error events at the STB may be logged, and the health of the STB disk may be determined based on the logged critical error events. Test results and critical error event logs may be used to predict an impending failure of a STB disk, and a notification may be output to a user or technician indicating the potential need to replace the STB or STB disk.

Detecting a leak of an OFDM signal from an HFC network, where the HFC network extends over a network area. The OFDM signal includes a first continuous pilot subcarrier having a first harmonic. The first harmonic is defined by a pre-determined first frequency. The method or apparatus comprises the steps of or means for: (a) moving a leakage detector through the network area; (b) tuning the leakage detector to receive the first harmonic of the OFDM signal, based on the pre-determined first frequency of the first harmonic; (c) with the leakage detector, receiving over-the-air, at a received first frequency, the first harmonic of the OFDM signal leaked from the HFC network; and (d) with the leakage detector, detecting the first harmonic received in step (c), whereby the leak of the OFDM signal is detected based on the detection of the first harmonic.

An image sensor of a camera configured with a diffraction grating is used to capture a diffraction image of an image rendering surface of a display device, for example, while a target image is being rendered on the image rendering surface of the display device. The diffraction image of the image rendering surface of the display device is analyzed to obtain measurements of native display capabilities of the display device. Display capability data is transmitted to a display management module for the display device. At least a portion of the display capability data is generated from the measurements of native display capabilities of the display device that are obtained from analyzing the diffraction image of the image rendering surface of the display device.

Systems, apparatuses, and methods are described for detecting malfunctions of computing devices causing outputs of video content. Partially or fully static content frames may be detected, and, indications may be generated based on the static content frames. The indications may be analyzed to identify computing devices with degraded performance. Diagnostic tests may be run by the identified computing devices and/or other actions performed based on a determination of static content frames.

Methods and apparatus are disclosed to determine a power state of a device. An example method includes determining respective counts for a plurality of measurements during a calibration period, the measurements indicative of an amount of power drawn by the device, determining a first threshold and a second threshold based on at least one of the counts, the first threshold determined using most frequently logged measurement values, the most frequently logged measurement values based on counts performed after expiration of the calibration period, comparing a measurement to the first threshold and to the second threshold, and outputting a positive indication when the measurement is within an acceptable difference range, the acceptable difference range based on the amount of power drawn by the device.

A video quality assessment method includes obtaining a video quality assessment parameter of a to-be-assessed video, where the video quality assessment parameter of the to-be-assessed video includes an average packet loss gap of the to-be-assessed video, determining packet loss dispersion of the to-be-assessed video based on the video quality assessment parameter of the to-be-assessed video, and determining quality of the to-be-assessed video based on a packet loss rate of the to-be-assessed video, an average consecutive packet loss length of the to-be-assessed video, the packet loss dispersion of the to-be-assessed video, and attribute information of the to-be-assessed video.

Disclosed here are methods, systems, and devices for measuring visual quality degradation of digital content caused by an encoding process. There is received first data for a digital content item, which is not encoded by the encoding process, and second data for the digital content item, which is encoded by the encoding process. For a given artefact type, the first data and the second data are processed to obtain a first quality metric measuring visual quality degradation in the digital content item attributable to the given artefact type caused by the encoding process. A stored mapping corresponding to the given artefact type is applied to the first quality metric to obtain a second quality metric which measures visual quality degradation in the digital content item attributable to the given artefact type caused by the encoding process and approximates subjective assessment of the digital content item by a human visual system.

A method for performing in-field discovery, diagnosis and/or repair of a set-top device includes the steps of: determining whether at least a first set-top device is non-responsive to a head-end via a communication channel established between the head-end and the first set-top device; executing a search and rescue (SAR) module on the first set-top device when it is determined that the first set-top device is non-responsive to the head-end; and re-establishing communications between the first set-top device and the head-end by the SAR module executing on the first set-top device.

Provided is a display device that has a usage validity period and confirms that the device is within the usage validity period when it is used, and can be improved in usefulness and can be used quickly, as well as a usage management method and program for the display device. The display device includes: a real-time clock; and, a control unit that, upon receiving a video display-ON signal for turning on video display under the condition that the status of the real-time clock is invalid, displays video corresponding to an input video signal.