While a first playback device is a member of a synchronous media playback group with a second playback device using a first media playback protocol, and after a particular playback setting is enabled using the first media playback protocol, the first playback device receives, from a media source device, a first media stream using a second media playback protocol. The first and second media playback protocols are incompatible. The first playback device determines that the particular playback setting is enabled and that the synchronous media playback group includes the first playback device and the second playback device. Subsequently, the first playback device (i) generates a second media stream based on the received first media stream, the second media stream including information for synchronous playback with the first playback device, and (ii) transmits, to the second playback device, the second media stream using the second media playback protocol.

Disclosed is a method for controlling digital content playback and a wireless lighting device. The method controls playback of the media data, and controls transmission of the lighting control data to the wireless lighting device based on a relevant event of the media data playback.

An apparatus, system, or method may wirelessly send an audio component of a multimedia channel to one or more wireless computing devices while a visual component of the multimedia channel is playing on a video monitor. The extracted audio component of the multimedia content may be packetized into data packets and broadcast via a network such that the data packets can be received by the wireless computing devices and the audio component can be played by the wireless computing devices in synchronization with the visual component playing on the video monitor. A channel listing may inform the wireless computing devices what channels are available. A visual content that is not the visual component of the multimedia channel may be displayed on the wireless computing device while an audio component of the multimedia channel is streamed to the wireless computing device. A direction indicator may be displayed on the wireless computing device to indicate the direction of a video monitor playing the visual component. A user of the wireless computing device may request that the visual component playing on a video monitor be set to a user-selected component.

Systems and methods that may facilitate synchronizing the presentation of a program on multiple devices are disclosed. Synchronization information related to a program may be exchanged via a two-way communications channel. Amounts by which each device may delay its presentation of a program may be calculated and/or exchanged.

The present disclosure discloses methods and devices for terminal control. The method comprises: sending a request from a first terminal to a server to obtain information about a multimedia application currently running on a second terminal, the information comprising application identification and one or more playback attributes of the multimedia application; displaying on the first terminal the information about the multimedia application currently running on the second terminal; generating by the first terminal one or more new playback attributes of the currently running multimedia application, and sending from the first terminal to the second terminal via the server a synchronization control request comprising the one or more new playback attributes, thereby allowing the second terminal to control the multimedia playback of the multimedia application based on the one or more new playback attributes in the synchronization control request. The present disclosure can allow one to use one terminal in the Internet to control the multimedia playback on another terminal. This can accomplish the combination of hardware advantages of both terminals and can increase the efficiency of playback control.

Systems and methods for synchronizing the playback of network media across multiple content playback devices, termed herein as “playback devices”, “clients”, or “client devices”. In one implementation, client devices are controlled to parse and buffer media content separately. Once all clients are ready, a controller may cause the client devices to start in a synchronized fashion based on signals sent by the controller. The controller adjusts the timing of the signal so that the outputs are displayed in synchronization on each client device. In other implementations, device lag times may be measured. In still other implementations, a master device may synchronize playback of media content on slave devices. In yet other implementations, devices may buffer and join playback of media content occurring on other devices. In further implementations, the systems and methods may be expanded to include steps of processing authentication for service providers prior to arranging synchronized playback.

A method, system and mobile terminal for implementing multimedia playing are described, which includes that a mobile terminal sends multimedia stream data to be played to another-end mobile terminal via a connection established based on NFC technology, and the mobile terminal and the another-end mobile terminal decode the multimedia stream data to be played, and respectively play corresponding parts of the decoded multimedia stream data in accordance with the respective part playing mode. In this way, two mobile terminals can respectively playing part of a multimedia image based on NFC technology, a multimedia image can be clearly amplified and displayed via the splicing of mobile terminal screens, thereby helping a user quickly solve the problem that a mobile terminal screen is small and not good for amplifying and displaying the multimedia image.

Implementations disclose a mesh network of nearby mobile devices as a combined speaker system for audio. A method includes detecting one or more other computing devices within a geographic vicinity of a computing device, transmitting a confirmation to join a speaker mesh network with the detected one or more other computing devices, receiving a playback synchronization instruction for a media item, adjusting playback of the media item according to the playback synchronization instruction, wherein the one or more other computing devices in the speaker mesh network provide synchronized playback of the media item according to the playback synchronization instruction, receiving a stereo sound and audio equalization instruction, and applying, according to the stereo sound and audio equalization instruction, stereo sound and audio equalization settings to the playback of the media item at the computing device.

Techniques have been developed to facilitate the livestreaming of group audiovisual performances. Audiovisual performances including vocal music are captured and coordinated with performances of other users in ways that can create compelling user and listener experiences. For example, in some cases or embodiments, duets with a host performer may be supported in a sing-with-the-artist style audiovisual livestream in which aspiring vocalists request or queue particular songs for a live radio show entertainment format. The developed techniques provide a communications latency-tolerant mechanism for synchronizing vocal performances captured at geographically-separated devices (e.g., at globally-distributed, but network-connected mobile phones or tablets or at audiovisual capture devices geographically separated from a live studio).

A method of modifying playing of media content in a group watch session comprises receiving a command to modify play; determining respective preferences of respective users in the session; and, if it is determined that execution of the command is consistent with the preferences, causing modifying of the playing of at least a portion of the media content based on the received command, e.g., by skipping the portion, jumping to another play position, or rewinding or fast-forwarding through the portion. In this manner, the command is executed, or not executed, based on the preferences of multiple users. The method may include estimating a satisfaction score for the command for the respective users, and comparing the estimated satisfaction scores with a reference score. The portion(s) of the media content for which play is modified may be determined based on the estimated satisfaction scores.