Methods and apparatus to present audio and video at non-native rates
View Patent ↗Methods and apparatus to play audio and video content at non-native rates are described. An example method includes playing a video portion of audiovisual content at a non-native rate, playing an audio portion of the audiovisual content at the non-native rate to correspond with the video portion, wherein a presentation of the audiovisual content at the non-native rate and a presentation of the audiovisual content at a native rate are substantially indistinguishable to an audience.
1. A method of presenting audiovisual content comprising:
outputting a first frame of audiovisual content according to a native rate defined by a system clock associated with processing of the audiovisual content;
generating a modified value of the system clock for a non-native rate of play mode to be initiated by a user via a selection from a user interface;
comparing a time stamp of a second frame of the audiovisual content to the modified value of the system clock at a first interval;
comparing a difference between the modified value of the system clock and the time stamp to a threshold, the threshold being a set amount of time assigned to the threshold prior to the initiation of the non-native rate of play mode via the selection from the user interface; and
when the difference is greater than the threshold, omitting a third frame or repeating the second frame of the audiovisual content.
2. A method as defined in claim 1 , wherein the third frame is omitted when the non-native rate of play mode corresponds to an increased rate relative to the native rate.
3. A method as defined in claim 1 , wherein the second frame is repeated when the non-native rate of play mode corresponds to a decreased rate relative to the native rate.
4. A method as defined in claim 1 , wherein the second frame follows the first frame in a sequence of frames defining the audiovisual content.
5. A method as defined in claim 1 , wherein the first interval corresponds to an amount of time at which a synchronization operation is to be executed.
6. A method as defined in claim 1 , further comprising pitch-correcting an audio portion of the audiovisual content such that a first presentation of the audiovisual content at a non-native rate corresponding to the non-native rate of play mode and a second presentation of the audiovisual content at the native rate are substantially indistinguishable to an audience member.
7. A method as defined in claim 6 , wherein the pitch-correcting includes manipulating a sampling rate of the audio portion of the audiovisual content.
8. A method as defined in claim 1 , further comprising activating or deactivating the non-native rate of play mode in response to a completion of a presentation of the audiovisual content.
9. A method as defined in claim 8 , wherein the non-native rate of play mode is a persistent mode.
10. A method as defined in claim 8 , wherein the non-native rate of play mode is a temporary mode.
11. An apparatus for presenting audiovisual content comprising:
a receiver to receive audiovisual content and to output a first frame of the audiovisual content according to a native rate defined by a system clock associated with the output of the audiovisual content;
a comparator to, in response to a user initiating a user-selectable non-native rate of play mode:
compare a time stamp of a second frame of the audiovisual content to a modified value of the system clock at a first interval, wherein the modified value of the system clock is based on a current value of the system clock; and
compare a difference between the time stamp and the modified value of the system clock to a threshold, the threshold being a static amount of time that remains constant across multiple intervals of the non-native rate of play mode; and
a controller to omit a third frame or repeat the second frame of the audiovisual content when the difference is greater than the threshold.
12. An apparatus as defined in claim 11 , wherein the third frame is omitted when the non-native rate of play mode corresponds to an increased rate relative to the native rate.
13. An apparatus as defined in claim 11 , wherein the second frame is repeated when the non-native rate of play mode corresponds to a decreased rate relative to the native rate.
14. An apparatus as defined in claim 11 , wherein the first interval corresponds to an amount of time at which a synchronization operation is to be executed.
15. An apparatus as defined in claim 11 , further comprising a controller to pitch-correct an audio portion of the audiovisual content such that a first presentation of the audiovisual content at a non-native rate corresponding to the non-native rate of play mode and a second presentation of the audiovisual content at the native rate are substantially indistinguishable to an audience member.
16. An apparatus as defined in claim 15 , wherein the pitch correction includes manipulating a sampling rate of the audio portion of the audiovisual content.
17. An apparatus as defined in claim 11 , further comprising an interface to communicate with an input device to enable the user to activate or deactivate the non-native rate of play mode.
18. An apparatus as defined in claim 17 , further comprising a user interface to facilitate an activation or deactivation of the non-native rate of play mode.
19. An apparatus as defined in claim 18 , wherein the user interface includes a guide on a display device to be manipulated via the input device.
20. An apparatus as defined in claim 18 , wherein the user interface includes an indication regarding a status of the non-native rate of play mode.
21. A media presentation system comprising:
a transmission system to generate and to transmit a stream of audiovisual content;
a receiver to receive the stream of audiovisual content and to generate video and audio output signals in accordance with a system clock associated with an output device to output the video and audio output signals; and
a means for presenting the audiovisual content at a non-native rate by comparing a first time stamp of a first frame of the audiovisual content with a modified value of the system clock at a first interval, comparing a difference between the first time stamp and the modified value of the system clock to a threshold, and when the difference is greater than the threshold, omitting a second frame of the audiovisual content at the output device, wherein the threshold is a a static amount of time that remains constant across multiple intervals of a non-native rate of play mode corresponding to the non-native rate.
22. A media presentation system as defined in claim 21 , wherein the first interval corresponds to an amount of time at which a synchronization operation is to be executed.
23. A media presentation system as defined in claim 21 , wherein a user of the receiver can define the non-native rate to persistent through a piece of programming and to cease when the piece of programming ends.
24. A media presentation system of claim 21 , further comprising a controller to correct a pitch of the audio output signal to substantially match a pitch of an audio input signal received by the receiver.
25. A media presentation system of claim 24 , wherein the controller is to manipulate a sampling rate to synchronize the audio and video output signals.