A unified system of programming communication. The system encompasses the prior art (television, radio, broadcast hardcopy, computer communications, etc.) and new user specific mass media. Within the unified system, parallel processing computer systems, each having an input (e.g., 77) controlling a plurality of computers (e.g., 205), generate and output user information at receiver stations. Under broadcast control, local computers (73, 205), combine user information selectively into prior art communications to exhibit personalized mass media programming at video monitors (202), speakers (263), printers (221), etc. At intermediate transmission stations (e.g., cable television stations), signals in network broadcasts and from local inputs (74, 77, 97, 98) cause control processors (71) and computers (73) to selectively automate connection and operation of receivers (53), recorder/players (76), computers (73), generators (82), strippers (81), etc. At receiver stations, signals in received transmissions and from local inputs (225, 218, 22) cause control processors (200) and computers (205) to automate connection and operation of converters (201), tuners (215), decryptors (224), recorder/players (217), computers (205), furnaces (206), etc. Processors (71, 200) meter and monitor availability and usage of programming.

A receiving method of receiving a first data unit in which data making up an encoded stream is stored and the first data unit stores a plurality of second data units. The receiving method includes: receiving the first data unit, first time information indicating a presentation time of the first data unit, second time information indicating, together with the first time information, a presentation time or a decoding time of each of the plurality of second data units, and identification information; calculating the presentation time or the decoding time of each of the plurality of second data units using the first time information and the second time information; and correcting the presentation time or the decoding time of each of the plurality of second data units based on the identification information.

A receiving method of receiving a first data unit in which data making up an encoded stream is stored and the first data unit stores a plurality of second data units. The receiving method includes: receiving the first data unit, first time information indicating a presentation time of the first data unit, second time information indicating, together with the first time information, a presentation time or a decoding time of each of the plurality of second data units, and identification information; calculating the presentation time or the decoding time of each of the plurality of second data units using the first time information and the second time information; and correcting the presentation time or the decoding time of each of the plurality of second data units based on the identification information.

Alternative approaches to the insertion of local commercials and messages into networks feeds are provided. Embodiments include digital commercial insertion for cable operators and others that not only offer more flexibility and features, but may also be significantly cheaper to implement. The actual insert of the local commercial or message into the digital program is performed by a standard set top box, with several methods of providing the local commercial to the set top box at the proper insertion time. Another embodiment allows a cable operator to significantly save on equipment in the form of splicers and ad inserters, by allowing easy and dynamic mapping of local commercials to insertion zones.

Alternative approaches to the insertion of local commercials and messages into networks feeds are provided. Embodiments include digital commercial insertion for cable operators and others that not only offer more flexibility and features, but may also be significantly cheaper to implement. The actual insert of the local commercial or message into the digital program is performed by a standard set top box, with several methods of providing the local commercial to the set top box at the proper insertion time. Another embodiment allows a cable operator to significantly save on equipment in the form of splicers and ad inserters, by allowing easy and dynamic mapping of local commercials to insertion zones.

.[.A unified system of programming communication. The system encompasses the prior art (television, radio, broadcast hardcopy, computer communications, etc.) and new user specific mass media. Within the unified system, parallel processing computer systems, each having an input (e.g., 77) controlling a plurality of computers (e.g., 205), generate and output user information at receiver stations. Under broadcast control, local computers (73, 205), combine user information selectively into prior art communications to exhibit personalized mass media programming at video monitors (202), speakers (263), printers (221), etc. At intermediate transmission stations (e.g., cable television stations), signals in network broadcasts and from local inputs (74, 77, 97, 98) cause control processors (71) and computers (73) to selectively automate connection and operation of receivers (53), recorder/players (76), computers (73), generators (82), strippers (81), etc. At receiver stations, signals in received transmissions and from local inputs (225, 218, 22) cause control processors (200) and computers (205) to automate connection and operation of converters (201), tuners (215), decryptors (224), recorder/players (217), computers (205), furnaces (206), etc. Processors (71, 200) meter and monitor availability and usage of programming..]. .Iadd.A method and apparatus to reprogram a receiver station, where the receiver station includes a receiver and a programmable device of a specific version having a memory. The receiver station receives an electronic digital information transmission including operating system instructions and a digital control signal that designates a designated hardware version of a programmable device. The received operating system instructions are communicated to the memory if a match occurs between the designated hardware version included in the transmission and the specific version of the programmable device resident at the receiver station..Iaddend.

In an example implementation, a method may involve sending a message that arranges a media playback system into a pre-defined state, wherein a first playback device is in a first zone having a first zone name, a second playback device is in a second zone having a second zone name, and a queue has a particular set of media items. The method may also involve detecting a trigger indicating a request to reset the media playback system. The method may further involve causing the media playback system to revert to the pre-defined state, wherein reverting may include assigning the first zone name to the first zone and joining the first playback device to the first zone, assigning the second zone name to the second zone and joining the second playback device to the second zone, and configuring the queue with the particular set of media items.

In an example implementation, a method may involve sending a message that arranges a media playback system into a pre-defined state, wherein a first playback device is in a first zone having a first zone name, a second playback device is in a second zone having a second zone name, and a queue has a particular set of media items. The method may also involve detecting a trigger indicating a request to reset the media playback system. The method may further involve causing the media playback system to revert to the pre-defined state, wherein reverting may include assigning the first zone name to the first zone and joining the first playback device to the first zone, assigning the second zone name to the second zone and joining the second playback device to the second zone, and configuring the queue with the particular set of media items.

There is provided a technique in which a device for capturing an event, and for generating a first stream and a second stream representing the event, one of the first and second streams being a lower quality version of the other, and the streams being generated simultaneously.

There is provided a technique in which a device for capturing an event, and for generating a first stream and a second stream representing the event, one of the first and second streams being a lower quality version of the other, and the streams being generated simultaneously.