Method and apparatus for verifying a video format supported by a display device

1. A method ( 200 ) for verifying a video format supported by a display device ( 25 ), the display device ( 25 ) adapted to receive a digital television signal from a digital video source ( 10 ) via a digital video interface ( 15 ), the method comprising:

receiving ( 202 ) a data structure ( 75 ) provided by the display device ( 25 ), the data structure ( 75 ) specifying a plurality of timing parameters associated with a supported video format;

providing ( 204 ) a plurality of predetermined value ranges, each of the plurality of predetermined value ranges corresponding to one of the plurality of timing parameters;

separating ( 206 ) the received data structure ( 75 ) into a plurality of portions, each of the plurality of portions corresponding to one of the plurality of timing parameters;

comparing ( 208 ) at least some of the plurality of portions with at least some of the plurality of predetermined value ranges; and

based on the comparisons, determining whether the supported video format is verified.

2. A computer-readable medium ( 64 , 70 , 50 , 71 ) encoded with a computer program which, when loaded into a processor ( 39 , 77 , 50 , 71 ), implements the method of claim 1 .

3. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising:

based on whether the supported video format is verified, including the supported video format in a schedule of supported video formats associated with the display device ( 25 ).

4. The method according to claim 3 , further comprising:

when the supported video format is not verified, not including the supported video format on the schedule.

5. The method according to claim 3 , further comprising:

when the supported video format is verified, including the supported video format on the schedule.

6. The method according to claim 5 , further comprising:

based on the comparisons, determining a picture aspect ratio of a verified, supported video format.

7. The method according to claim 5 , further comprising:

presenting the schedule to a user of the display device for selection of a preferred video format.

8. The method according to claim 7 , wherein the schedule is presented to the user as a menu adapted to enable the user to select the preferred video format from the menu.

9. The method according to claim 7 , further comprising:

based on a selection of the preferred video format by the user, transmitting the digital television signal to the display device in the selected format, via the digital video interface ( 15 ).

10. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising:

storing the data structure in a memory ( 64 ).

11. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the digital video interface ( 15 ) comprises a digital channel.

12. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the digital channel comprises an I 2 C bus.

13. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the data structure ( 75 ) comprises Video Electronics Standards Association Extended Display Identification Data.

14. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the display device ( 25 ) comprises one of a high definition television monitor; an extended definition television monitor; and a standard definition television monitor.

15. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the video format comprises one of: 1920×1080i; 1280×720p; 720×480p; and 720×480i.

16. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the receipt of the data structure ( 75 ) occurs upon hot plug connection of the display device to the digital video source ( 10 ).

17. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of portions include a predetermined number of bits.

18. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of timing parameters comprise: horizontal active pixels, horizontal blanking pixels, vertical active lines, vertical blanking lines, horizontal sync offset, horizontal sync pulse width, and vertical sync offset.

19. The method according to claim 18 , wherein the predetermined value ranges correspond to actual timing parameters obtained by observation of a digital video source transmitting a digital television signal in the supported video format over a digital video interface.

20. An apparatus for verifying a video format supported by a display device ( 25 ), comprising:

a computer-readable storage medium ( 64 ); and

a processor ( 39 ) responsive to the computer-readable storage medium ( 64 ) and to a software program ( 22 ), the software program ( 22 ), when loaded into the processor ( 39 ), operative to perform a method comprising:

receiving a data structure ( 75 ) specifying a plurality of timing parameters associated with a supported video format of the display device ( 25 );

accessing a plurality of predetermined value ranges, each of the plurality of predetermined value ranges corresponding to one of the plurality of timing parameters;

separating the received data structure ( 75 ) into a plurality of portions, each of the plurality of portions corresponding to one of the plurality of timing parameters;

comparing at least some of the plurality of portions with at least some of the plurality of predetermined value ranges; and

based on the comparisons, determining whether the supported video format is verified.

21. The apparatus according to claim 20 , wherein the processor is associated with the display device.

22. The apparatus according to claim 20 , wherein the processor is associated with a set-top box ( 10 ) adapted to transmit a video signal to the display device ( 25 ).

23. The apparatus according to claim 20 , wherein the processor is associated with a digital video interface ( 50 / 71 ) responsive to the display device ( 25 ).