The invention relates to a method for receiving radio broadcast signals by means of a radio broadcast receiver and to a radio broadcast receiver designed for performing the method, wherein the broadcast receiver has at least two receiving units for different transmission techniques. The user selects a radio broadcast service of a first receiving unit of the at least two receiving units, and the selected radio broadcast service is then played back by the radio broadcast receiver. The other, second receiving unit for the different transmission technique of the radio broadcast receiver searches for an alternative radio broadcast service having preferably the same or comparable content during the playback of the radio broadcast service selected by the user, and the radio broadcast receiver automatically switches over to the second receiving unit having the alternative radio broadcast service if the first receiving unit cannot play back the selected radio broadcast service.

Embodiments of systems and methods for blending multi-channel signals are described. In one embodiment, a method for blending multi-channel signals involves computing component signals from the multi-channel signals, cross-fading the component signals based on different temporal rates to generate cross-faded component signals and generating a blended multi-channel signal based on the cross-faded component signals. Other embodiments are also described.

Embodiments of systems and methods for blending multi-channel signals are described. In one embodiment, a method for blending multi-channel signals involves computing component signals from the multi-channel signals, cross-fading the component signals based on different temporal rates to generate cross-faded component signals and generating a blended multi-channel signal based on the cross-faded component signals. Other embodiments are also described.

A device receives first and second data streams representing an audio and/or video content. The device is configured beforehand so as to disseminate the content from the first stream. Following a command for switching from the first stream to the second stream, the device determines by correlation a reference point in the first stream and in the second stream, and determines an offset in time from time-stamping information associated with the reference point in each of the first and second streams. Before switching, the device: pauses the second stream until the offset in time is absorbed when the offset in time indicates that the first stream is late; decreases a frame rate of the first stream until the offset in time is absorbed when the offset in time indicates that the first stream is in advance.

A device receives first and second data streams representing an audio and/or video content. The device is configured beforehand so as to disseminate the content from the first stream. Following a command for switching from the first stream to the second stream, the device determines by correlation a reference point in the first stream and in the second stream, and determines an offset in time from time-stamping information associated with the reference point in each of the first and second streams. Before switching, the device: pauses the second stream until the offset in time is absorbed when the offset in time indicates that the first stream is late; decreases a frame rate of the first stream until the offset in time is absorbed when the offset in time indicates that the first stream is in advance.

There is provided a reception apparatus including receiver circuitry and processing circuitry. The receiver circuitry is configured to receive a first stream that includes a first broadcast service, time information, and channel information. The first broadcast service provides a first program that is a simulcast of a second program provided by a second broadcast service. Further, the second broadcast service is included in a second stream. The processing circuitry is configured to decode for display one of the first broadcast service provided by the first stream or a second broadcast service provided by the second stream according to a time indicated by the time information included in the first stream.

A method for adding a new radio receiver to a subscriber account includes the steps of: receiving a request to add a new radio receiver to the subscriber's account; selecting a new radio receiver to be added to the subscriber's account, the new radio receiver comprising an electronic serial number specific to the radio receiver; automatically establishing, by the transfer program, a communications link with a radio provider; automatically communicating, to the radio provider by the transfer program via the communications link, a request to add, to the subscriber's account, the electronic serial number specific to the radio receiver; and automatically confirming, with the radio provider via the communications link, that the new electronic serial number specific to the radio receiver has successfully been added to the subscriber's account.

A method for adding a new radio receiver to a subscriber account includes the steps of: receiving a request to add a new radio receiver to the subscriber's account; selecting a new radio receiver to be added to the subscriber's account, the new radio receiver comprising an electronic serial number specific to the radio receiver; automatically establishing, by the transfer program, a communications link with a radio provider; automatically communicating, to the radio provider by the transfer program via the communications link, a request to add, to the subscriber's account, the electronic serial number specific to the radio receiver; and automatically confirming, with the radio provider via the communications link, that the new electronic serial number specific to the radio receiver has successfully been added to the subscriber's account.

A broadcast receiver is capable of automatically switching to an applicable frequency of a radio station in a region, and stores plural geocodes related respectively to area blocks of the region, and plural frequencies related the radio station and each corresponding to one of the area codes. The broadcast receiver obtains a geographic coordinate set when a radio signal currently received from the radio station has poor quality. Then, the broadcast receiver converts the coordinate set to a geocode, finds an area code corresponding to the geocode, and receives the radio signal from the radio station on the frequency corresponding to the area code.

A method for reproducing, i.e., playing back, media data includes: receiving media data in a receive buffer; determining whether the receive buffer is sufficiently filled; reducing the playback speed over a period until the receive buffer is sufficiently filled, and playing back the media data at the reduced playback speed. The reduced playback speed has a speed profile having at least one non-linear section.