A metadata server that includes circuitry is provided. The circuitry receives a first segment from a plurality of segments of first media content and determines context information associated with the first segment based on a characteristic of at least one frame of a plurality of frames included in the first segment. The circuitry generates first metadata associated with the first segment based on the context information. The first metadata includes timing information corresponding to the determined context information to control a first set of electrical devices. The circuitry further transmits the received first segment and the generated first metadata to a media device associated with the first set of electrical devices.

The present invention relates to a method for synchronizing an additional signal to a primary signal. Synchronization information for a primary signal is generated by extracting at least one signal feature sequence of the primary signal and comparing it to DB feature sequences stored in a database. If the signal feature sequence matches one of the DB feature sequences to a predetermined degree, then synchronization information of the matching DB feature sequences is allocated to the primary signal at a position specified by the signal feature sequence. The synchronization information is transmitted to a playback device, which outputs an additional signal to the primary signal based on the synchronization information.

Systems and methods for enhancing user experience in accessing media of a certain content type by outputting the media on a nearby device that is better suited for access. For example, a media guidance application may determine that a user is accessing, on his/her smartphone, a digital page (e.g., a website, a newsfeed, etc.) that features embedded content (e.g., photos, movies, music, etc.). In response to determining that the user has navigated to an embedded content, such as a video clip, the media guidance application may determine a device in the vicinity of the user that is better suited than the user's smartphone for playback of the video clip. For example, a nearby smart television may have a larger screen, better sound output, and a better display resolution than the smartphone. As a result, the media guidance application may cause the smart television to output the video clip.

Disclosed are methods and apparatus for augmenting a user's multimedia consumption experience. The methods comprise while the user is consuming the multimedia presentation using a first device, that device provides (to one or more remote processors) information that may be used to identify a relevant location. The one or more processors use this information to identify the location and acquire a virtual environment. This virtual environment may be a virtual representation the location. The virtual environment is presented to the user on a second (companion) device. Using the second device, the user may explore the virtual environment and interact with virtual objects therein.

An apparatus, system, or method wirelessly sends 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 audio component may be packetized into data packets and broadcast via a network such that the data packets can be received and 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 user of the wireless computing device may request that the visual component playing on a video monitor be set to a user-selected component.

This invention provides an electronic apparatus which comprises a TIME-CODE terminal configured to output a time code signal which an external apparatus utilizes to perform synchronization related to a video, and a control unit configured to output a time code signal in which a bit in a predetermined field in the time code signal is set to a predetermined value, from the TIME-CODE terminal.

A system for discovering devices and for generating, providing and/or receiving services for second screen devices.

Technologies are generally described for an audio playing scheme for digital billboard systems. In some examples, a method performed under control of a server may include receiving from an end device a control signal configured to indicate that the end device is located in a first predetermined area relative to a first digital billboard, identifying first video data currently displayed on the first digital billboard, determining first audio data corresponding to the first video data, and transmitting the first audio data to the end device based on the control signal.

Various devices, systems, products and methods for synchronizing video displayed on multiple display devices are presented. The systems, methods, devices and products described herein optionally utilize one or more techniques for synchronizing two or more displays of video of an event filmed from two or more cameras. Synchronization signals are optionally used to allow the video displays to be matched precisely to account for differences in display time, transmission time, delivery time and processing time.

Embodiments described herein involve an auxiliary zone contributing audio to a primary zone. In an example implementation, a network media system determines that a first zone in the network media system is playing back a first type of audio content and that a second zone in the network media system is not playing back audio content. While the first zone is playing back the first type of audio content and the second zone is not playing back audio content, the network media system forms a temporarily playback configuration. In the temporary playback configuration, the first zone plays back primary audio content including full frequency range audio content and the second playback device of the second zone plays back auxiliary audio content including low frequency range audio content.