System and Method of Presenting Synchronous Picture-In-Picture for Consumer Video Players

Abstract

A media playback device capable of displaying multiple streams simultaneously and with expanded picture-in-picture capabilities is provided. The placement, size, aspect ratio, cropping, scale, transparency, tint, contrast, and cropping of the media can be set or adjusted arbitrarily. Furthermore, the audio may be mixed between separate tracks accompanying the video streams and may also be set or adjusted arbitrarily. Each variable can be dynamically changed during playback through either automated or user-initiated means. A system and method are provided for simultaneously displaying a first video stream and at least a second video stream on a display comprising the steps of feeding the video streams into a video player; providing control of the display of the video streams; displaying a first video stream substantially across the display; and displaying the other video streams in a secondary display.

1 - 44 . (canceled) 
     
     
         45 . A method for simultaneously displaying a first video stream and at least a second video stream on a display, the method comprising:
 receiving the first video stream and a second video stream at a media playback device;   processing the two video streams to synchronize the display of portions of the two video streams;   displaying the first video stream on the display, wherein the first video stream substantially extends across the display;   optionally displaying the second video stream in a customizable secondary display, wherein the second video stream in the customizable secondary display has a playback synchronized to the playback of the first video stream.