A media system includes a plurality of set-top boxes coupled to a coax network and a controller. The controller displays a first passkey to a user in response to receiving a request from the user to activate playback of a media content on a particular set-top box. The set-top box receives the first passkey from the user and determines whether the user is authorized to activate playback of the media content by comparing the first passkey received from the user with a second passkey obtained from a passkey module on the set-top box. When the user is determined by the set-top box to be authorized to activate playback of the media content, the set-top box determines a radio frequency channel of the coax network according to the first passkey received from the user and begins playback of the media content received on the radio frequency channel on a display device.

A method for partially unmasking an object in a video stream comprises: displaying a first video stream in which objects are covered by privacy masks; receiving user input regarding a selection of an object being covered by a privacy mask, wherein the object has a first portion being associated with a first privacy level and a second portion being associated with a second, higher, privacy level; checking that a permission associated with the user input grants access to video data depicting object portions being associated with the first privacy level; giving access to video data depicting the first portion of the object; and displaying a second video stream which differs from the first video stream in that it includes the video data depicting the first portion of the object, while the second portion of the object is still covered by a privacy mask.

A method of acquiring access rights to conditional access content. The method comprises receiving an access right on a first terminal through a first communication channel; storing said access right in said first terminal; sending a request for said conditional access content to a content provider, said request containing at least an identifier of an account to which said first terminal is associated, an identifier of the requested content and a piece of information concerning said access right; verifying, by said content provider, the authenticity of said access right using said piece of information concerning the access right; and when there has been a successful verification, marking said access right as used, and sending said conditional access content to at least one terminal linked to said account. The first terminal using near field communication technology (NFC) during at least one transfer of said access rights.

A method of acquiring access rights to conditional access content. The method comprises receiving an access right on a first terminal through a first communication channel; storing said access right in said first terminal; sending a request for said conditional access content to a content provider, said request containing at least an identifier of an account to which said first terminal is associated, an identifier of the requested content and a piece of information concerning said access right; verifying, by said content provider, the authenticity of said access right using said piece of information concerning the access right; and when there has been a successful verification, marking said access right as used, and sending said conditional access content to at least one terminal linked to said account. The first terminal using near field communication technology (NFC) during at least one transfer of said access rights.

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a system for indicating a program boundary in an adaptive bitrate media stream, where the system includes a memory and a processor that performs operations including generating multiple transcoded media output streams of different bit rates from an input linear media stream, fragmenting the multiple transcoded media output streams into chunks, detecting a program boundary in the input linear media stream, and supplying a program change indicator in a manifest file for implementing program change features in mobile communication devices. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a system for indicating a program boundary in an adaptive bitrate media stream, where the system includes a memory and a processor that performs operations including generating multiple transcoded media output streams of different bit rates from an input linear media stream, fragmenting the multiple transcoded media output streams into chunks, detecting a program boundary in the input linear media stream, and supplying a program change indicator in a manifest file for implementing program change features in mobile communication devices. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Mechanisms for presenting media content items using multiple devices are provided. In some embodiments, methods for presenting media content are provided that include: detecting an offer to initiate a purchase of a content item being presented using the media device, wherein the media device has not been authenticated with a content service that provides the content item; in response to detecting the offer to initiate the purchase of the content item when the media device has not been authenticated with the content service that provides the content item, causing the media device to be discoverable by one or more mobile devices that are connected to a same local area network as the media device; encoding offer data corresponding to the detected offer to initiate the purchase of the content item; in response to receiving a status request from a mobile device that is connected to the same local area network as the media device, transmitting the encoded offer data associated with the purchase of the content item to the mobile device, wherein the encoded offer data causes a payment user interface to be presented on the mobile device; receiving a cast request from the mobile device to cast the content item on the media device; and in response to the cast request, executing a receiver application on the media device that accepts the cast request from the mobile device and causes the content item to be presented using the media device.

Apparatus and methods for provisioning of customer premise equipment (CPE) equipped with a secure microprocessor to receive e.g., digital video content by entering unique identification of the CPE at one or more servers located at the headend or other location of a content-based network. In one embodiment, the CPE comprises a download-enabled (e.g., DCAS) host with embedded cable modem and embedded set-top box functionality, and the provisioning includes enabling DOCSIS functionality of the CPE, assigning an IP address to the CPE and providing the CPE with a client image for the conditional access system chosen by the network operator. In one variant, the network operator can deactivate a provisioned device while connected to the network, as well when disconnected from the network. The network operator can also add, delete or replace conditional access client image in a provisioned device.

Apparatus and methods for provisioning of customer premise equipment (CPE) equipped with a secure microprocessor to receive e.g., digital video content by entering unique identification of the CPE at one or more servers located at the headend or other location of a content-based network. In one embodiment, the CPE comprises a download-enabled (e.g., DCAS) host with embedded cable modem and embedded set-top box functionality, and the provisioning includes enabling DOCSIS functionality of the CPE, assigning an IP address to the CPE and providing the CPE with a client image for the conditional access system chosen by the network operator. In one variant, the network operator can deactivate a provisioned device while connected to the network, as well when disconnected from the network. The network operator can also add, delete or replace conditional access client image in a provisioned device.

A data processing method according to the present invention comprises the steps of: receiving an input of video contents including a video stream and an audio stream; detecting music data from the audio stream; and filtering the audio stream so that the music data detected from the audio stream is removed.