Patent ID: 8798286

Claim:
A set-top box device comprising: a processor; a display interface coupled to the processor, wherein the display interface is configured to send video output to an external display device coupled to the display interface; a remote control interface coupled to the processor, wherein the remote control interface is configured to receive input from a remote control, wherein the input identifies media content that includes first audio content and first video content, and wherein the input indicates that the first audio content is to be output via an audio output device without sending the first video content to the external display device via the display interface; and a media control module, wherein the media control module is executable by the processor to perform operations including: sending an audio confirmation signal confirming receipt of the input via the audio output device; retrieving the media content identified by the input; and sending an audio signal corresponding to the first audio content to the audio output device without sending the first video content to the external display device.