A method includes monitoring media content at media content locations to identify media content items. The media content locations are identified in social network data stored by a set-top box device. The method includes receiving, at the set-top box device, a command to present image cells to a display device. The command is responsive to an alert sent from the set-top box device. The method also includes presenting the image cells at the display device. At least one of the image cells includes an image corresponding to an identified media content item.

Systems and methods for fusing, for a subscriber, a plurality of applications and subscriber data across a plurality of subscriber access devices are described. The system includes a fusion server coupled to a voice-over-IP telephony switch and a television EBIF server. The fusion server receives and stores the subscriber data such as a list of contacts. The fusion server receives a communication in a first format from a first subscriber access device such as a set-top box, and translates the communication from the first format to a second format. The first and second formats include at least two of session initiation protocol (SIP), hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP), voice-over-IP (VoIP), simple object access protocol over extensible markup language (SOAP/XML), remote procedure call (RPC), and enhanced tv binary exchange format (EBIF). The fusion server transmits the translated communication to a second subscriber access device such as a smart phone or tablet computer.

Systems and methods for fusing, for a subscriber, a plurality of applications and subscriber data across a plurality of subscriber access devices are described. The system includes a fusion server coupled to a voice-over-IP telephony switch and a television EBIF server. The fusion server receives and stores the subscriber data such as a list of contacts. The fusion server receives a communication in a first format from a first subscriber access device such as a set-top box, and translates the communication from the first format to a second format. The first and second formats include at least two of session initiation protocol (SIP), hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP), voice-over-IP (VoIP), simple object access protocol over extensible markup language (SOAP/XML), remote procedure call (RPC), and enhanced tv binary exchange format (EBIF). The fusion server transmits the translated communication to a second subscriber access device such as a smart phone or tablet computer.

Methods and apparatus to receive a first data stream, such as a public broadcast, and receive a second data stream, such as a private data stream, containing emails, for example. A user profile can be used to generate a data output stream for the user from the first and second data streams. The user profile can contain preferences for segments within the first and second data streams.

Methods and apparatus to receive a first data stream, such as a public broadcast, and receive a second data stream, such as a private data stream, containing emails, for example. A user profile can be used to generate a data output stream for the user from the first and second data streams. The user profile can contain preferences for segments within the first and second data streams.

Video content is uploaded via the Internet to a video-on-demand (VOD) server identified by a title and a hierarchical address of categories and subcategories for categorizing the title. The VOD server converts and stores the video content at a storage address in a video content database linked to the title. The title is listed in a location of an electronic program guide (EPG) using the same categories and subcategories as in its hierarchical address. Any TV subscriber can access the EPG and navigate through its categories and subcategories to find a title for viewing on the TV. This can enable many new blogging or podcasting-like programs by popular “Hosts” to be self-published on the Internet and readily navigated for display on TV. The EPG can also store TV program addresses as bookmarks and allow them to be shared with other subscribers or with friends and contacts online by sending to their email addresses.

Video content is uploaded via the Internet to a video-on-demand (VOD) server identified by a title and a hierarchical address of categories and subcategories for categorizing the title. The VOD server converts and stores the video content at a storage address in a video content database linked to the title. The title is listed in a location of an electronic program guide (EPG) using the same categories and subcategories as in its hierarchical address. Any TV subscriber can access the EPG and navigate through its categories and subcategories to find a title for viewing on the TV. This can enable many new blogging or podcasting-like programs by popular “Hosts” to be self-published on the Internet and readily navigated for display on TV. The EPG can also store TV program addresses as bookmarks and allow them to be shared with other subscribers or with friends and contacts online by sending to their email addresses.

Disclosed herein are video display systems and methods. An exemplary video display system includes a computerized media processing unit configured to receive content including video, audio, graphics and internet content from a plurality of content source devices providing such content and configured to output a blended video signal receivable by a display device; and wherein the video signal output by the media processing unit comprises a plurality of arbitrarily shaped video containers all displayable on the display device simultaneously, each of the plurality of video containers capable of being positioned and displaying video content independent of the video content of the other video containers; wherein the video content displayed in one container may comprise a GUI for control of size and position of each of the other of the plurality of video containers in response to user commands.

A media sharing and communication system, including a recording mechanism that records a desired portion of media upon activation by a first individual user, a first user transmitter/receiver that transmits the portion of media and a message generated by the first individual user regarding the portion of media to a second individual user and is capable of transmitting a message to a second individual user, a confirmation mechanism that confirms that the second individual user is authorized to view the portion of media, a notification mechanism that notifies the first individual user if the second individual user is not authorized to receive the portion of media, a second user transmitter/receiver that receives the portion of media and voice message upon authorization of the second individual user, a search mechanism, and a video recording mechanism, an online betting module, and an online food ordering module.

A media sharing and communication system, including a recording mechanism that records a desired portion of media upon activation by a first individual user, a first user transmitter/receiver that transmits the portion of media and a message generated by the first individual user regarding the portion of media to a second individual user and is capable of transmitting a message to a second individual user, a confirmation mechanism that confirms that the second individual user is authorized to view the portion of media, a notification mechanism that notifies the first individual user if the second individual user is not authorized to receive the portion of media, a second user transmitter/receiver that receives the portion of media and voice message upon authorization of the second individual user, a search mechanism, and a video recording mechanism, an online betting module, and an online food ordering module.