Apparatus for processing signals

1. An apparatus for processing signals, comprising:

parameter control means for controlling a parameter of said signals, said parameter control means computing adjustments to said parameter as a function of both (i) a preferred parameter level for the parameter and (ii) at least one of: a current ambient factor and a property of said signals;

first indicator means for presenting a first level indicator which is indicative of said computed adjustments; and

second indicator means for presenting a second level indicator which is indicative of the preferred parameter level, wherein said signals comprise video signals, wherein said parameter comprises a picture parameter, and wherein said current ambient factor comprises ambient light.

2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said apparatus further comprises:

user control means for setting the preferred parameter level to be input into said parameter control means, wherein said preferred parameter level is selected by a user from a plurality of parameter levels.

3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2 , wherein said picture parameter comprises one of: luminance, contrast, and brightness saturation.

4. A television receiver comprising an apparatus as claimed in claim 1 .

5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said picture parameter comprises one of: luminance, contrast, and brightness saturation.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first level indicator continuously follows the computed adjustments as the computed adjustments vary.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first level indicator indicates a combined effect of the preferred parameter level and the at least one of: the current ambient factor and the property of the signals.

8. A method for processing signals, comprising the steps of:

controlling a parameter of said signals by computing adjustments to the parameter as a function of both (i) a preferred parameter level for the parameter and (ii) at least one of: a current ambient factor and a property of said signals;

presenting a first level indicator which is indicative of said computed adjustments; and

presenting a second level indicator which is indicative of the preferred parameter level,

wherein said method further comprises the steps of:

selecting the preferred parameter level from a plurality of parameter levels; and

setting said selected preferred parameter level.

9. The method as claimed in claim 8 , wherein said signals comprise video signals, wherein said parameter comprises a picture parameter, and wherein said current ambient factor comprises ambient light.

10. The method as claimed in claim 9 , wherein said picture parameter comprises one of: luminance, contrast, and brightness saturation.

11. A method of operating a television receiver comprising a method as claimed in claim 8 .

12. The method of operating a television receiver as claimed in claim 11 , wherein said signals comprise video signals, wherein said parameter comprises a picture parameter, and wherein said current ambient factor comprises ambient light.

13. A method for processing signals, comprising the steps of:

controlling a parameter of said signals by computing adjustments to the parameter as a function of both (i) a preferred parameter level for the parameter and (ii) at least one of: a current ambient factor and a property of said signals;

presenting a first level indicator which is indicative of said computed adjustments; and

presenting a second level indicator which is indicative of the preferred parameter level,

wherein said signals comprise video signals, wherein said parameter comprises a picture parameter, and wherein said current ambient factor comprises ambient light.

14. The method as claimed in claim 13 , wherein said wherein said picture parameter comprises one of: luminance, contrast, and brightness saturation.

15. A method of operating a television receiver comprising a method for processing signals, comprising the steps of;

controlling a parameter of said signals by computing adjustments to the parameter as a function of both (i) a preferred parameter level for the parameter and (ii) at least one of: a current ambient factor and a property of said signals;

presenting a first level indicator which is indicative of said computed adjustments; and

presenting a second level indicator which is indicative of the preferred parameter level,

wherein said signals comprise video signals, wherein said parameter comprises a picture parameter, and wherein said current ambient factor comprises ambient light.

16. The method of operating a television receiver as claimed in claim 15 , wherein said wherein said picture parameter comprises one of: luminance, contrast, and brightness saturation.