The Físchlár digital video recording, analysis, and browsing system

In digital video indexing research area an important technique is called shot boundary detection which automatically segments long video material into camera shots using content-based analysis of video. We have been working on developing various shot boundary detection and representative frame selection techniques to automatically index encoded video stream and provide the end users with video browsing/navigation feature. In this paper we describe a demonstrator digital video system that allows the user to record a TV broadcast programme to MPEG-1 file format and to easily browse and playback the file content online. The system incorporates the shot boundary detection and representative frame selection techniques we have developed and has become a full-featured digital video system that not only demonstrates any further techniques we will develop, but also obtains users’ video browsing behaviour. At the moment the system has a real-user base of about a hundred people and we are closely monitoring how they use the video browsing/navigation feature which the system provides

Balancing the power of multimedia information retrieval and usability in designing interactive TV

Steady progress in the field of multimedia information retrieval (MMIR) promises a useful set of tools that could provide new usage scenarios and features to enhance the user experience in today s digital media applications. In the interactive TV domain, the simplicity of interaction is more crucial than in any other digital media domain and ultimately determines the success or otherwise of any new applications. Thus when integrating emerging tools like MMIR into interactive TV, the increase in interface complexity and sophistication resulting from these features can easily reduce its actual usability. In this paper we describe a design strategy we developed as a result of our e®ort in balancing the power of emerging multimedia information retrieval techniques and maintaining the simplicity of the interface in interactive TV. By providing multiple levels of interface sophistication in increasing order as a viewer repeatedly presses the same button on their remote control, we provide a layered interface that can accommodate viewers requiring varying degrees of power and simplicity. A series of screen shots from the system we have actually developed and built illustrates how this is achieved

The extent and measurement of VCR time shifting : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Business Studies in Marketing at Massey University

The validity and accuracy of television programme ratings are critical to media planners and broadcasters alike. Media planners use ratings to select programmes that will satisfy certain reach and frequency objectives, which in turn contribute to an advertising campaign's overall goals. Broadcasters deliver audiences to advertisers, and base programme scheduling and pricing decisions on ratings data. At present, ratings are delivered within 24 hours of viewing and do not include adjustments for time shift viewing. Time shifting occurs when a television programme is videotaped and replayed at a later date. Given that VCR penetration in New Zealand has increased to over 75 percent of households, it is clear that programme ratings may be higher than the current overnight ratings suggest. This thesis explored the extent and measurement of time shifting in New Zealand. More specifically, it used AGB McNair's people meter data to examine: the scale of time shifting, the current methods of measuring time shifting, and future methods of estimating time shift viewing. The study aimed to identify whether patterns of time shifting behaviour exist, and whether these patterns could be used to model more inclusive overnight ratings. The findings suggest that, although the overall effect of time shifting on programme ratings is small, some programmes have very high levels of time shift viewing, prompting the need to include time shift viewing in the overnight ratings. The main constraint impeding the inclusion of VCR ratings in the overnight ratings is the difficulty in estimating time shift audiences overnight. This study proposed a number of methods of estimating VCR ratings overnight, including the recording level adjustment method, the same day playback adjustment method, and the genre/station correction method. While further research is required to compare the predictive ability of the methods, in the meantime implementing any of the methods is likely to provide more accurate overnight estimates of total audiences

Temporal hybridity: Mixing live video footage with instant replay in real time

Copyright @ 2010 ACMIn this paper we explore the production of streaming media that involves live and recorded content. To examine this, we report on how the production practices and process are conducted through an empirical study of the production of live television, involving the use of live and non-live media under highly time critical conditions. In explaining how this process is managed both as an individual and collective activity, we develop the concept of temporal hybridity to explain the properties of these kinds of production system and show how temporally separated media are used, understood and coordinated. Our analysis is examined in the light of recent developments in computing technology and we present some design implications to support amateur video production.The research was partly made possible by a grant from the Swedish Governmental Agency for Innovation Systems to the Mobile Life VinnExcellence Center, in partnership with SonyEricsson, Ericsson, Microsoft Research, Nokia Research, TeliaSonera and the City of Stockholm

Television signal scan rate conversion system Patent

Conversion system for transforming slow scan rate of Apollo TV camera on moon to fast scan of commercial T

Construction of ATS Cloud Console Final Report

ATS cloud console for rapid analysis of cloud image sequence

Online television library: organization and content browsing for general users

This paper describes the organisational and playback features of Físchlár, a digital video library that allows users to record, browse and watch television programmes online. Programmes that can be watched and recorded are organised by personal recommendations, genre classifications, name and other attributes for access by general television users. Motivations and interactions of users with online television libraries are outlined and they are also supported by personalised library access, categorised programmes, a combined player browser with content viewing history and content marks. The combined player browser supports a user who watches a programme on different occasions in a non-sequential order

Remote hydrogen sensing techniques

The objective of this project is to evaluate remote hydrogen sensing methodologies utilizing metal oxide semi-conductor field effect transistors (MOS-FET) and mass spectrometric (MS) technologies and combinations thereof

Supporting memory and identity in older people: findings from a ‘Sandpit’ process

Identity in old age is challenged by physical changes, evolving roles within the family, and life transitions such as retirement. Supporting identity is therefore important in later life, and might be assisted by media technologies which allow people to reflect on their lives, record their personal histories and share these with family, friends and caregivers. This possibility was explored in two creative ‘Sandpits’ with older people as part of the SUS-IT project, funded by the New Dynamics of Ageing programme in the UK. Discussions were held with PC and non-PC user groups of retirement age to understand memory and identity practices and elicit reactions to three novel product concepts. These included a Reminiscing Radio for life review, a Story Lamp for associating spoken stories with photographs and memorabilia, and a pair of virtual reality Travel Glasses for transporting you back to a special place in the past. The main findings of these discussions will be presented, along with concepts generated by the participants in a re-design exercise. This paper will also show how the sandpits enabled older people to be involved in the design process by allowing them to shape early design concepts through exploring their own ideas and motivations