Content description for efficient video navigation, browsing and personalization

Content descriptions are commonly used to index audiovisual content for search and retrieval applications. We present multimedia descriptions that can be used to facilitate rapid navigation, browsing, and efficient access to different views of audiovisual programs according to personal preferences and usage conditions. In particular, we illustrate the use of several description schemes that are currently being developed as part of the MPEG-7 standardization activity. We describe usage scenarios in two application areas: personal video recorder appliances and education and training systems.