A multimedia file and methods of generating, distributing and using the multimedia file are described. Multimedia files in accordance with embodiments of the present invention can contain multiple video tracks, multiple audio tracks, multiple subtitle tracks, a complete index that can be used to locate each data chunk in each of these tracks and an abridged index that can enable the location of a subset of the data chunks in each track, data that can be used to generate a menu interface to access the contents of the file and ‘meta data’ concerning the contents of the file. Multimedia files in accordance with several embodiments of the present invention also include references to video tracks, audio tracks, subtitle tracks and ‘meta data’ external to the file. One embodiment of a multimedia file in accordance with the present invention includes a series of encoded video frames, a first index that includes information indicative of the location within the file and characteristics of each encoded video frame and a separate second index that includes information indicative of the location within the file of a subset of the encoded video frames.

A method and video device are disclosed for accessing information. In an embodiment of the present invention, part of data included in a title, being played, read from a storage medium or extracted from a broadcast signal is extracted and sent to a server over a network, and information corresponding to the part of the data (i.e., information related to the data and complete data of the data) is received from the server and played. Rather than the part of the data, information related to a position of the data, (e.g. a time point at which the playing of the data starts within the title or a radial position or a physical address at which the data is located in the storage medium) may be sent. The data may be data that forms audio, a frame-shaped video clip or a frame-shaped picture included in the title.

There is provided an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, a recording medium, a playback apparatus, a playback method, and a program that are designed to prevent an unnatural change in luminance during random access. The information processing apparatus according to one aspect of the present technology generates dynamic metadata including information regarding luminance of a picture, and encodes HDR video data such that the dynamic metadata is added to each picture serving as a random access point. For example, the dynamic metadata can be allowed to be added to the first picture of a GOP, the first picture serving as the random access point during fast-forward playback/rewind playback or cueing playback. The present technology can be applied to a Blu-ray (registered trademark) Disc player.

A contents converting apparatus, a contents converting method, and a computer readable recording medium are provided. The contents converting apparatus is for converting contents including a plurality of stream data and stored in a Blu-ray disc. The contents converting apparatus includes a controller configured to receive manifest information of a data structure configuring the contents, and determine stream data to be copied from the Blu-ray disc based on the manifest information. The convents converting apparatus further includes a formatter configured to convert the determined stream data of a first format to new stream data of a second format.

A method of placing an ad in a video in an original format may include producing a transcoded video in a proxy format which is a representation of frames of the video in the original format. The transcoded video in the proxy format is convertible to other formats for output. The method may include selecting the ad from a set of ads, selecting a location within a frame of the transcoded video where the ad is to be placed, selecting frames of the transcoded video where the ad is to be placed, placing a placeholder in the transcoded video in the selected frames at the selected location, and storing the transcoded video in the proxy format. When the transcoded video is presented to a user on a display device, the selected ad is inserted in place of the placeholder.

Systems and methods according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide a user interface including an electronic program guide and scrollable visual directories.

An information processing apparatus includes: an acquiring means for acquiring focused content information that is information relating to a predetermined content and includes at least any one of descriptions of the predetermined content having information displayed on a display means, a word related to the descriptions, a genre, a title, and cast of the predetermined content; a retrieving means for using content information about the other content that includes at least any one of descriptions of the other content different from the predetermined content, a genre, a title, and cast of the other content and the acquired focused content information to retrieve a content having a high degree of relation to focused content information in the other contents; and a specification information generating means for generating specification information that specifies the resulted content of retrieval based on the result of retrieval done by the retrieving means.

Electronic equipment and methods for permitting quick control of the operating state of a source equipment side from sink equipment. A television receiver (sink equipment) 100 and an amplifier (repeater equipment) 200 are interconnected over an HDMI cable 610, and the amplifier 200 and a DVD recorder (source equipment) 300 are interconnected over an HDMI cable 620. Each of the pieces of equipment includes, in addition to an HDMI receiving unit and an HDMI transmitting unit, a high-speed data line I/F included in a bidirectional communication unit that uses predetermined lines of the HDMI cable. The bidirectional communication unit is used to transmit channel selection information, a remote control code instructing recording, “theater mode” designating information, a remote control code, or the like from the television receiver 100 to the audio amplifier 200 or DVD recorder 300.

A high capacity CD-ROM and DVD player system that stores and controls a plurality of CD-ROMs and DVDs without having to eject the CD-ROMs and DVDs. The high capacity CD-ROM and DVD player system includes a server system, a memory system, and a high capacity CD-ROM and DVD player. The housing includes a display, a pair of transparent windows, an on/off button, and a time display. The high capacity CD-ROM and DVD player system includes a corresponding method for playing a plurality of DVDs and CDs with a high capacity CD-ROM and DVD player system and a non-transitory computer storage media having instructions stored thereon which, when executed, execute the overall method.

A system and method for controlling media devices over telecommunication networks is disclosed. In particular embodiments, the system and method utilize cellular telecommunication networks. The present system and method allows a user to control and, in some instances, unify a multitude of devices over the telecommunication network. Through telecommunication networks, such as cellular networks, media and entertainment can be shared between multiple devices.