GB2374955A

GB2374955A - Audio-visual presentations

Info

Publication number: GB2374955A
Application number: GB0120809A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Neil Hutchinson
Original assignee: FIREANDPASSION Ltd
Current assignee: FIREANDPASSION Ltd
Priority date: 2001-02-15
Filing date: 2001-08-28
Publication date: 2002-10-30
Also published as: GB0103664D0; GB0120809D0

Abstract

Aspects of the invention describe an audio-visual file comprising a user interface 100 for controlling playback of the audio-visual file 104. Including a user interface component in the file, as well as audio and/or visual content, can provide greater user control, flexibility and usability. Preferably the user interface is adapted to control the playback of audio and/or visual content of the file.

Description

AUDIO-VISUAL PRESENTATIONS The invention relates to presentations, in particular, but not exclusively to audio-visual presentations. Aspects of the invention described herein relate to audio-visual presentation files, as well as to methods of and apparatus for producing and playing audio-visual files. The invention finds particular, but not exclusive application in providing audio and/or video content from a web site.

Although there are large amounts of audio-visual content available on the internet a fast internet connection (such as a broadband connection) is often required to be able to view such content. Furthermore, many different data formats exist for such content, and viewing it often involves downloading special web browser plug-in software. This can be inconvenient and time-consuming, especially over a slow internet connection, especially as such software can be relatively large. In some circumstances it may even be impossible to download the software, for example, from behind a firewall; and many companies have such firewalls in place A large amount of audio-visual internet content is therefore inaccessible-or at least not immediately, conveniently accessible-to many internet users.

The present invention seeks to address those problems.

A first aspect of the invention provides an audio-visual file comprising a user interface for controlling playback of the audio-visual file.

Including a user interface component in the file, as well as audio and/or visual content, can provide greater user control, flexibility and usability. Preferably the user interface is adapted to control the playback of audio and/or visual content of the file.

Preferably the user interface comprises a component of the file which is adapted to produce a visual user interface for the user, for example on the user's computer screen. The visual user interface can be displayed, for example, as a part of the visual content of

the file. In preferred embodiments, it can be displayed within a screen showing a video component of the audio-visual file Preferably the user interface comprises a link to a position within the audio-visual file.

In that way, the user interface can be used to skip to different places in file, for example to the start or end of a file. The user interface can, therefore, be used to move to other parts of the audio and/or visual content of the file. The link may be, for example graphical or textual.

It should be understood that preferably the audio-visual file includes both audio and visual components, but may include only one of audio and video content.

Preferably the user interface comprises a link to a further audio-visual file.

In this way, the user is able to jump between files, for example related filed, for example different segments of a presentation. The link may be, for example, graphical or textual.

Preferably the link comprises a clickable visual aspect and at least one of : an instruction to continue playback at another location in the audio-visual file and an instruction to load a further audio-visual file.

Preferably the file further comprises an audio component adapted to be streamed.

In this way a presentation can start almost immediately. In some cases it may be possible to play the file content with substantially no download wait. Preferably substantially no part of the file is permanently downloaded on the user's computer.

These features are of particular importance and thus a broad aspect of the invention provides an audio-visual file comprising an audio and/or video component which is adapted to be streamed.

Preferably the file has a format which can be played back using software which most users have on their computers so that no extra download of information is required.

Preferably the file has a file format suitable for playback by a MACROMEDIA FLASH player.

Most users will have the flash player already installed, so there will be no need to download a special plug-in (which can take time on slow connections and may be impossible from behind a company firewall).

This feature is of particular importance and is provided separately. Thus a further aspect of the invention provides an audio-visual file having a file format suitable for playback using a Macromedia Flash payer.

A further aspect of the invention provides an audio-visual presentation document comprising a plurality of audio-visual files.

By having the presentation being made of a plurality of files, the presentation may be split into sections. This leads to faster download, and streaming may start earlier.

Preferably at least one of the plurality of audio-visual files comprises a reference to a further one of the plurality of audio-visual files.

The reference assists in the playing of the files sequentially in the correct order.

Preferably at least one reference defines a sequential ordering on the plurality of audiovisual files.

Preferably each one of the plurality of audio-visual files comprises a reference to a further one of the plurality of audio-visual files; and each one of the plurality of audio-visual files is referred to by a further one of the plurality of audio-visual files.

Thus the parts of the presentation can be played in sequence.

Preferably the document further includes a first audio-visual file comprising a reference to one of the plurality of audio-visual files; and a last audio-visual file.

The first file is preferably identifiable as including the first content of the presentation.

Preferably the reference comprises an instruction to load a further file Preferably the document includes a file as described herein.

A further aspect of the invention provides a method of creating an audio-visual file comprising including a user interface portion for controlling playback of the audio-visual file.

A further aspect of the invention provides an audio-visual output comprising audio and/visual content and a user interface for controlling the playback of the content.

A further aspect of the invention provides a method of playback of audio and/or visual content of an audio-visual file, the method including receiving part of the file and starting playback of the content before all of the file has been received.

A further aspect of the invention provides a method of creating an audio-visual presentation document, the method comprising splitting the audio and/or visual content of the presentation into a plurality of audio-visual files Preferably the method includes adding to a file a reference identifying the next file in the sequence for the presentation.

A further aspect of the invention provides a method of playing an audio-visual presentation including a plurality of audio-visual files, the method comprising:

identifying a first file including a first section of content of the presentation; playing content of the first file ; identifying a second file including a second section of content of the presentation, the second section following in sequence from the first section; and playing content of the second file.

Preferably the step of identifying the second file includes reading a reference in the first file.

A further aspect of the invention provides a method of assembling an audio-visual document having a first and a second component for use over a network, said network having a bandwidth limitation, the method comprising : compressing the first component at a first level of loss; compressing the second component at a second level of loss; choosing the first and second levels of loss in such a way that the audio-visual document may be transferred over the network.

In this way, quality attainable over limited (for example 56K) network connection can be maximised by adjusting the relative compression of the first and second components.

In preferred examples at least one of the first and second components comprises an audio component.

In preferred examples at least one of the first and second components comprises a video component.

For example, where the document includes a large number of images, audio quality can be reduced, and vice versa.

Preferably the audio-visual document comprises a FLASH document.

A further aspect of the invention provides an apparatus for assembling an audio-visual document as described herein.

A further aspect of the invention provides an audio-visual document assembled using a method as described herein.

A further aspect of the invention provides a container document comprising a reference to an audio-visual file including a video component, the document further comprising a component for displaying a boundary around the video component.

Thus, when an audio-visual presentation is displayed, it can be displayed with a boundary around it which is appropriate for the content of the presentation. A particular boundary can be used for more than one presentation. For example, where the presentation relates to cars, the boundary may include images of a car showroom.

The container document may comprise an HTML document.

The invention also provides a computer program and a computer program product for carrying out any of the methods described herein and/or for embodying any of the apparatus features described herein, and a computer readable medium having stored thereon a program for carrying out any of the methods described herein and/or for embodying any of the apparatus features described herein.

The invention also provides a signal embodying a computer program for carrying out any of the methods described herein and/or for embodying any of the apparatus features described herein, a method of transmitting such a signal, and a computer product having an operating system which supports a computer program for carrying out any of the methods described herein and/or for embodying any of the apparatus features described herein.

Features implemented in hardware may generally be implemented in software, and vice versa. Any references to software and hardware features herein should be construed accordingly.

The invention extends to methods and/or apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Any feature in one aspect of the invention may be applied to other aspects of the invention, in any appropriate combination. In particular, method aspects may be applied to apparatus aspects, and vice versa.

Furthermore, features implemented in hardware may generally be implemented in software, and vice versa. Any reference to software and hardware features herein should be construed accordingly.

In summary, aspects of the invention provide the ability to provide audio, with or without synchronised visuals, from a web site hosted on standard web hosts (not special streaming servers) as speech or music, as a continuous stream (a streamed presentation) preferably such that only Microsoft Explorer or Netscape Navigator and a Macromedia Flash Plug-in are required to play it. It can preferably be viewed and listened to either using a 56K or better modem, or broadband Internet connection.

Aspects of the invention provide the ability to provide on-screen user controls to, for example, start, stop, pause, play or replay the audio stream, or audio-visual presentation.

Aspects of the invention provide the overall experience of a 3D environment coupled with active visual and audio presentation, which is streamed rather than downloaded, and therefore starts within moments of selection.

Thus, in preferred embodiments, all that is required to play and view the presentation on any computer is Explorer or Netscape web browser software, and a Macromedia Flash plug-in.

Preferred features of the present invention will now be described, purely by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which :-

Figure 1 shows the structure of an audio-visual presentation according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a screen shot of an audio-visual presentation according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 3 shows a business conference environment ; and Figure 4 shows a presentation theatre environment.

Overview Embodiments of the invention described in the following provide audio-visual presentations delivered over low speed or broadband Internet connections to anyone using a sound-enabled PC or Macintosh with a 56K modem or better and standard web browser such as Microsoft Explorer or Netscape Communicator with a Macromedia Flash or compatible plug-in.

No other plug-ins, players or software are required, and no special web server host is required.

Presentations are delivered within a 3D virtual theatre environment and can include any combination of mono or stereo audio, visual animations, short video clips and other active elements. Presentations can run from start to finish automatically, or be user controlled with screen buttons similar to a CD player Properties of presentations Presentations are streamed, so start within moments, yet no special streaming server is needed. Presentations run from standard web servers and can include music and speech synchronised to visual, animated'PowerPoint'type slides, brief video clips and other animated elements. Theatres include speaker pictures-static or active.

The combination of 3D environments coupled with active visuals and high quality audio gives a completely new web experience that allows speaker passion and emotion, coupled with visual presentation elements to be delivered over the web using

today's low speed or broadband Internet technology standards. There is no slow 'download'and no general user-accessible file left on the PC or Macintosh afterwards.

Presentation user control is available The whole experience is achieved by combining a number of technology standards and web design and presentation techniques together to provide an engaging, unique and memorable web-based audio-visual web presentation experience.

Figures 3 and 4 show examples of environments Figure 3 shows a 3D business conference environment; and Figure 4 shows a 3D presentation theatre environment.

Construction The presentation is constructed from videotape of the presentation plus a set of 'PowerPoint'or similar files or directly from videotape only (for example where a video is being converted from a conference or TV programme). The video is recorded onto the computer and then the sound track is extracted as an AIF file. Any additional audio elements are converted to AIF files. The AIF file is imported into Macromedia Flash where it is placed on a timeline and the visual elements are then synchronised to the audio track.

Natural or invoked pauses in the audio track are used to break the audio into manageable sections and also to provide the selectable/repeatable sections that can be controlled by user control buttons. Slide visual content is built from packages such as Adobe Photoshop or Adobe Illustrator and then optimised in Adobe Imageready Visual content is placed into Macromedia Flash synchronised to the audio track timeline and blends and in/out fades or animation set in Macromedia Flash. Links to other scenes, frames in the Macromedia Flash movie and other HTML files are also set.

When all audio and visual elements are complete, the presentation is exported as a Shockwave Flash SWF file. Compression rates for JPEG images are set for the overall

presentation and some pictures may be compressed to higher levels, to reduce file size and improve performance, separately.

The presentation environment (theatre, training room, conference hall, music studio etc) is developed in Cinema 4D or a similar 3D rendering package and can include speaker pictures, corporate branding and other visual elements. Generated files are saved as JPEGS and then Adobe Imageready or similar is used to save these as Optimised JPEGS.

The presentation (s) and 3D environment are combined using Adobe GoLive or similar, where SWF files, theatre pictures, rollovers, links, speaker pictures and any other components are put together.

The presentation theatre may be placed within a 3D branded environment that features Macromedia Flash active elements such as simulated video walls (running short looped video clips), plasma screens, water towers and active digital displays.

The result is saved as a set of HTML and SWF files that can be hosted on a standard web server yet provide streamed presentations from the Web.

The structure of an audio-visual presentation will now be described with reference to Figure 1.

Audio-visual presentation 10 comprises one or more presentation segments 12,20 and 22. Each segment comprises a streamed audio component 14, a visual component 16 and all but the last segment further comprise a reference to the following segment. The references from one segment to the next thus define the presentation as a sequence of such segments. A presentation may consist of a single segment only, in which case no such reference is required.

Each segment may also comprise a user interface allowing the user to control playback of that segment or of the entire presentation. This interface takes the form of text links or graphical links (e. g. buttons) displayed as part of the visual component of the presentation segment. Clicking on such a link causes playback to be stopped, started, or continued from a particular position. For example, links may be provided to jump to a particular position within a segment or to jump to a different segment. An example of such an interface is given in Figure 2. This shows a number of buttons 100 similar to the control buttons on a compact disc player-here the buttons enable the user to jump between segments, to stop and play the presentation, and to rewind to the beginning of the current segment. Alternatively, text links could be provided to particular positions within the presentation and may take the form, for example, of section headings.

Instead of a user-controlled presentation as described above, an automatic presentation may be provided by omitting the user interface. In either case, the transfer from one presentation segment to the next may be automatic The segmentation is then hardly noticeable to the user apart from a possible short delay when a new segment is retrieved.

In the preferred embodiment, each segment is a MACROMEDIA FLASH document, containing the audio and visual components, including user interface elements if required. Scripted"actions"are specified in the FLASH document for moving playback to a new position in the document or for loading a new document in response to user interaction. These actions are associated with graphical and text elements such as buttons and hyperlinks defined within the FLASH document.

Actions are also specified at the end of each segment to instruct the FLASH player to automatically download and play the following segment.

The sound component is included in the FLASH document as a streamed sound The MACROMEDIA FLASH player software begins playback of a streamed sound after a portion of the sound has been received. Because it does not wait until the entire sound

component has been received, the sound begins playing much sooner, reducing the wait for the viewer of the presentation This creates a streaming effect without the need for special streaming software at the server The wait time before a presentation starts may also be reduced by splitting a presentation into a number of smaller segments as described above and shown in Figure 1 ; this creates several shorter waits as each segment is downloaded, rather than one long download wait if the presentation consisted of just one large segment.

The further advantage of using MACROMEDIA FLASH is that the FLASH player plug-in is widely available and often already installed in web browsers such as Netscape Communicator or Microsoft Internet Explorer. There is no need for the presentation user to download special playback software (for example a special plugin) which at slow connection speeds may be inconvenient and in certain circumstances, for example from behind a company firewall, may indeed be impossible The audio and visual components are compressed using mostly lossy compression algorithms such as MP3 and JPEG. The compression ratios used are optimised to enable the presentation to be downloaded through a low-speed internet connection, for example a 56K connection as used by many internet users through a modem and telephone line. For example, lower quality sound may be provided if the presentation segment contains many images. If graphical content is low, then a higher quality sound may be provided For music, 22kHz stereo sound may typically be used For speech, mono sound and a lower sampling rate may be sufficient.

Returning to Figure 1, the audio-visual presentation may optionally be associated with a container document 30 containing the audio-visual presentation or a reference to the audio-visual presentation. In the preferred embodiment, the container document comprises an HTML document and one or more image elements (for example GIF or JPEG images). The image elements present a fixed environment for the audio-visual presentation. The container document may also comprise a hyperlink for starting a

presentation and may provide a selection of hyperlinks to different presentations. The HTML container document contains at least one FLASH presentation document in the form of an embedded object referencing the FLASH file.

As an example, the image elements may show a picture of a presentation theatre 102 together with a picture of the speaker 103 and may be arranged in such a way that the presentation occupies a space representing a presentation screen 104. An example of this is shown in Figure 2. Examples of the use of these presentations include corporate presentations, sales presentations and training/demonstration presentations.

The presentations, especially when using a virtual presentation theatre environment, may be used within a larger virtual environment, for example a virtual shopping mall or a virtual trade show. Such an environment could comprise a number of virtual stores or trade stands. Examples include a car showroom, a travel shop, a bank, a sports shop, a video store or a music shop. Audio-visual presentations as described above may be used in the last two examples to provide audio and video clips and video stills to the customer. For example, audio clips from a music album may be provided as the sound component in audio-visual presentations. Such an application may also be provided in the form of a listening stand in a real music shop. In either case, a database of music samples may be used as the basis for the generation of the presentation files. The generation process would preferably be automated.

In the example of a virtual trade show, presentations may be used for product demonstration or sales purposes.

Some examples and aspects of such environments will now be described.

Using the Virtual Trade Show Environment for A Virtual Motor Show For the motor trade, the opportunity is to take a step forward in overcoming buyer reluctance to purchase high value goods over the Internet as well as provide a friendly, non-threatening sales environment where specific car models can be presented, given

excitement and coupled with persuasive presentations that are used to overcome purchase concerns.

For a motor manufacturer or dealership, a virtual showroom can be developed with different car models, presentations and video conversions as well as finance option presentations. For a dealership, the opportunity would be to extend the sphere of visibility and influence outside the local geographic area, as well as provide an active virtual catalogue that motivates potential customers to make contact and arrange test drives.

This area can be linked to standard web sites with secure purchase systems, price lists, special deals on certain models and so on.

Virtual trade shows-registration processes and options In general the pre-registration process for a virtual trade show should be similar to a physical event. The objective is to collect prospective visitor data prior to the person attending the event.

In the virtual trade show there are a number of options related to show layout, visitor registration and data collection.

For a smaller event, of say up to 49 stands, it is practical to simply have a reception area, a simple show plan and 7 halls of 7 stands each on the spokes of a wheel.

For medium or large events of say 50+ stands, then the'wheel spokes'system would probably become too cumbersome. Here the option is to add a show plan with exhibitors categorised into areas and halls to allow easy selection and navigation.

The most sophisticated option is the one-to-one marketing approach using a database driven show. In this scenario, the prospective visitor registers on-line providing information about his or her specific areas of interest either as topics or companies at

the show. When the registration is submitted, the system returns a cookie to the PC that contains the preference data. An e-mail is also sent with a unique visitor identification.

When the visitor attends the virtual show, if the cookie is available (some people turn off the PC's ability to accept cookies) the show will welcome the visitor by name and automatically configure the first show hall. This means that the view of the hall will show the companies or types of company identified at registration. The remaining halls would be categorised. This will allow the visitor to visit the areas of greatest interest first and then browse or search the rest of the show. A search facility would be included. If a cookie wasn't available, then the visitor enters the registration number.

This also leads to additional selling and branding opportunities. For example, if one category is sponsored by a specific company, then that company could always be visible in any selection for that category through branded hallways, signage or other items.

Automatic Presentation Theatre The presentation may offer animation, slides music and voiceover, start within moments and yet get the company's message across using today's Web technology High quality stereo sound tracks can be used and the ideal way for visitor to hear and see the presentation is on any sound-enabled computer (for example using PC or Mac) using a pair of headphones or PC loudspeakers.

The automatic presentation theatre offers one or more presentation selections. When the presentation is chosen, it runs from start to finish. At the end the viewer can repeat the whole presentation or choose another one or exit. These automatic presentations are ideal for sales or video conversion type presentations that need to be viewed in full to ensure that the complete message is put over with no opportunity to skip sections.

User-Controlled Presentation Theatre The user controlled presentation theatre features a set of simple to use CD player-like control buttons. These can skip a section of the presentation, replay the last section, pause the presentation and restart it This is ideal for more complex product demonstrations or training environments where the viewer can go at their own pace.

Multiple presentations are possible, selected from a menu and when the presentation is constructed, the section breaks are defined to allow the control button selections.

This powerful control capability beings to the Web a level of interaction not previously possible and is ideal for a large number of applications.

Automatic and user-controlled presentations may be mixed as needed.

Training In the training environment, the trainee is able to use a control bar to allow him or her to select a section, repeat a section, pause or skip sections like a domestic CD player.

The benefits of this approach are that trainees can go at their own pace and only one central set of training presentations is held, making updates and control easy. For software training, screens are"zoomed"to focus on the area being demonstrated and an animated mouse pointer can be applied. Audio excitement can also be added.

Corporate Presentations Corporate presentations translate convincingly and powerfully to streamed audiovisual web content. The 3D environment, complete with contact areas, literature areas, presentation and/or demonstration theatres can be hosted on an existing

standard web server and linked to other areas of the corporate web site. Presentations can be corporate, product, TV advertising conversion or any"Powerpoint"type presentation.

Audio-visual web presentations can be cut into topic sections to allow user selection, repeat options and retained interest. Presentations can range from powerful product launches to financial reviews.

Web based on-line audio-visual presentations Examples of the invention use the latest web technology in an innovative and creative way to provide a virtual business conference environment complete with 3D theatre or demonstration environment and with the ability to generate"passion"for business.

For UK business, this provides the capability to hold a 24 hour/7 day conference and trade show encapsulated in a web site. Using a 3D web environment the visitor can attend from anywhere in the world at any time, compare products, see and hear "passionate"presentations, collect literature, request information and link to related web sites. Revenue will come from exhibitors who can establish a presence at a fraction of the cost of a physical trade show or who want their own conference "theatre"as part of their web site.

For the first time, it will be possible for business prospects to move on from today's clinical, flat and boring web experiences to comfortable, professional and familiar 3dimensional environments that include presentation theatres where it's possible to deliver pre-recorded visual and audio presentations that can capture the essential passion and belief involved in successfully selling, particularly technical, products and services.

Unique properties of this invention include : the use of a 3D fully rendered show stand and theatre environment for presentations the ability to run a visual and audio presentation on-line over the web: this is not downloads, it is free flowing, streamed presentation over the web

'the use of compression algorithms to make the presentation operate smoothly and convincingly over standard web access points using PC or Mac hardware. It will be understood that the present invention has been described above purely by way of example, and modification of detail can be made within the scope of the invention.

Each feature disclosed in the description, and (where appropriate) the claims and drawings may be provided independently or in any appropriate combination.

Claims

Claims : 1 An audio-visual file comprising a user interface for controlling playback of the audio-visual file
2. An audio-visual file according to claim 1, wherein the user interface comprises a link to a position within the audio-visual file.
3. An audio-visual file according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the user interface comprises a link to a further audio-visual file.
4. An audio-visual file according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the link comprises a clickable visual aspect and at least one of : an instruction to continue playback at another location in the audio-visual file and an instruction to load a further audio-visual file.
5. An audio-visual file according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising an audio component adapted to be streamed.
6. An audio-visual file comprising an audio and/or video component which is adapted to be streamed.
7. An audio-visual file according to preceding claim having a file format suitable for playback by a MACROMEDIA FLASH player.
8. An audio-visual presentation document comprising a plurality of audio-visual files.
9 A document according to claim 8, wherein at least one of the plurality of audio-visual files comprises a reference to a further one of the plurality of audio-visual files.

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10. A document according to claim 9, wherein the at least one reference defines a sequential ordering on the plurality of audio-visual files.
11 A presentation document according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein. a) each one of the plurality of audio-visual files comprises a reference to a further one of the plurality of audio-visual files; and b) each one of the plurality of audio-visual files is referred to by a further one of the plurality of audio-visual files
12. A presentation document according to claim 11, further including a first audio- visual file comprising a reference to one of the plurality of audio-visual files; and a last audio-visual file.
13. An audio-visual presentation document according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the reference comprises an instruction to load a further file
14. An audio-visual presentation document according to any one of claims 8 to 14, including a file according to any of claims 1 to 7.
15. A method of creating an audio-visual file including a user interface portion for controlling playback of the audio-visual file.
16. An audio-visual output comprising audio and/visual content and a user interface for controlling the playback of the content.
17 A method of playback of audio and/or visual content of an audio-visual file, the method including receiving part of the file and starting playback of the content before all of the file has been received.

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18. A method of creating an audio-visual presentation document, the method comprising splitting the audio and/or visual content of the presentation into a plurality of audio-visual files.
19. A method of playing an audio-visual presentation including a plurality of audio-visual files, the method comprising : identifying a first file including a first section of content of the presentation ; playing content of the first file, identifying a second file including a second section of content of the presentation, the second section following in sequence from the first section; and playing content of the second file.
20. A method according to claim 19, wherein the step of identifying the second file includes reading a reference in the first file.
21. A method of assembling an audio-visual document having a first and a second component for use over a network, said network having a bandwidth limitation, the method comprising: a) compressing the first component at a first level of loss ; b) compressing the second component at a second level of loss c) choosing the first and second levels of loss in such a way that the audio- visual document may be transferred over the network.
22. A method according to claim 21, wherein at least one of the first and second components comprises an audio component
23. A method according to claim 21 or 22, wherein at least one of the first and second components comprises a video component.

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24. A method according to any of claims 21 to 23, wherein the audio-visual document comprises a FLASH document
25 An apparatus for assembling an audio-visual document according to any of claims 21 to 24.
26. An audio-visual document assembled using a method according to any one of claims 21 to 24.
27. A container document comprising a reference to an audio-visual file including a video component, the document further comprising a component for displaying a boundary around the video component.
28. A computer program product adapted to carry out a method as claimed in any of claims 15, or 17 to 24.
29. A computer readable medium having stored thereon a computer program product as claimed in claim 28.
30. A signal tangibly embodying a computer program product as claimed in claim

28.
31 A method of transmitting a signal as claimed in Claim 30.
32. A method being substantially as herein described having reference to the accompanying Figures.
33. Apparatus being substantially as herein described having reference to an/or as illustrated in the accompanying Figures