Television system

Abstract

A television system is provided including a broadcast data receiver (BDR) for receiving broadcast data from a remote location via cable, satellite or terrestrial means and processing the data. The processed data includes video data for display on a display screen ( 2 ) connected to or forming part of the BDR. A plurality of different video display formats are provided for user selection on the display screen and upon selection of a particular video display format a preview of the resulting video display is displayed in a window ( 6 ) on the display screen ( 2 ).

1 . A television system including a broadcast data receiver (BDR) for receiving broadcast data from a remote location via cable, satellite or terrestrial means and processing said data, said processed data including video data for display on a display screen ( 2 ) connected to or forming part of said BDR and characterised in that a plurality of different video display formats are provided for user selection on the display screen ( 2 ) and wherein upon selection of a particular video display format a preview of the resulting video display is displayed in a window ( 6 ) on the display screen.  
     
     
         2 . A television system according to  claim 1  characterised in that the window ( 6 ) in which the preview is shown is displayed over a part of a video display currently being broadcast on a user selected channel.  
     
     
         3 . A television system according to  claim 1  characterised in that the video content ( 7 ) on the display screen ( 2 ) behind the preview window ( 6 ) remains unchanged following selection of a particular video display format in the preview window ( 6 ).  
     
     
         4 . A television system according to  claim 2  characterised in that the dimensions of the preview window ( 6 ) are adjustable by the user.  
     
     
         5 . A television system according to  claim 1  characterised in that each video display format alters the size and/or shape of the resulting video display in the preview window ( 6 ).  
     
     
         6 . A television system according to  claim 1  characterised in that the preview of the selected display comprises the selected format as applied to any or any combination of the video data currently being broadcast on a user-selected channel, a broadcaster selected channel, a default video clip, a user selected video clip or a blank screen.  
     
     
         7 . A television system according to  claim 1  characterised in that the plurality of different video display formats are provided in a drop down menu ( 8 ).  
     
     
         8 . A television system according to  claim 7  characterised in that the drop down menu ( 8 ) is provided in a viewing preference screen for selection therefrom.  
     
     
         9 . A television system according to  claim 1  characterised in that the different video display formats include any or any combination of a normal (4:3) display, a widescreen (16:9) display, picture handling display, pass through display, centre cut-out display or letterbox display.  
     
     
         10 . A television system according to  claim 1  characterised in that the format of the video display on the display screen ( 2 ) returns to a default video display format each time the television system is switched off and subsequently switched on again.  
     
     
         11 . A television system according to  claim 1  characterised in that the format of the video display on the display screen ( 2 ) returns to a default video display format after a pre-determined period of time.  
     
     
         12 . A television system according to  claim 1  characterised in that the format of the video display selected by the user is maintained on all video displays until a different video display format is selected.  
     
     
         13 . A television system according to  claim 1  characterised in that in addition to the different video display formats, the user can select the video display to be in a RGB or composite video display format.  
     
     
         14 . A broadcast data receiver (BDR) for receiving broadcast data from a remote location via cable, satellite or terrestrial means and processing said data, said processed data including video data for display on a display screen ( 2 ) connected to or forming part of said BDR and characterised in that a plurality of different video display formats are provided for user selection on the display screen ( 2 ) and wherein upon selection of a particular video display format a preview of the resulting video display is displayed in a window ( 6 ) on the display screen ( 2 ).  
     
     
         15 . An electronic programme guide (EPG) for display on a display screen ( 2 ) of a television system, said EPG displaying data relating to one or more channels and/or programmes for broadcasting at that time or in the future, said EPG having a menu ( 8 ) including a number of user-selectable preferences and characterised in that the user-selectable preferences include a plurality of different video display formats for user selection on the display screen ( 2 ) and wherein upon selection of a particular video display format a preview of the resulting video display is displayed in a window ( 6 ) on the display screen of the EPG.