Media Server Synchronizing Video and Secondary Audio
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for providing secondary audio programming are limited, as they rely on content producers to generate and distribute alternate audio, which may not be available to all consumers, and do not allow for synchronization with video from a different source, such as a local radio broadcast during a nationally televised event.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilize a media server to receive and synchronize video from a primary source with secondary audio from a secondary source, using input/output interfaces and processing units to associate and transmit the audio and video components to consumer devices, enabling consumers to select and receive alternative audio sources, such as local radio broadcasts, alongside video content.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a consumer mutes the nationally televised broadcast to listen to a local radio broadcast, then the consumer can hear the local audio, but the audio and video become desynchronized
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces a media server as an intermediary device that receives both the video signal from the cable/satellite receiver and the audio signal from the radio receiver. The media server processes and synchronizes these separate signals before outputting them together to the consumer device, thereby maintaining audio-video synchronization while allowing the consumer to select alternative audio sources.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the consumer uses two separate devices (TV and radio), then the consumer can access both video and alternative audio, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the functionality of multiple devices (cable/satellite receiver, radio receiver, and media processing) into a single integrated system. The consumer device receives both video and audio through one unified interface, eliminating the need to physically connect and coordinate multiple separate devices while maintaining the ability to select alternative audio sources.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If the broadcaster delays the video feed for censoring purposes, then the broadcast content is controlled, but the audio-video synchronization is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the timing of audio and video signals to maintain synchronization. The media server continuously monitors and synchronizes the delayed video signal with the corresponding audio signal, automatically adapting to timing variations caused by broadcast delays or other interruptions, thereby maintaining synchronization without requiring manual intervention.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the disclosed invention include an apparatus, method, and computer program product for providing a video source with a secondary audio source. For example, in one embodiment, a content provider receives a broadcast signal that includes a video component and an audio component from a content producer. The content provider receives a second audio component that provides audio corresponding to the video component of the broadcast signal. The second audio component is received from a second source, such as, but not limited to, a radio broadcast and/or an internet source. The content producer transmits the video component and the second audio component to a consumer device.