Example video data transmission methods and apparatus are described. One example method includes receiving a plurality of data packets corresponding to a plurality of video frames by a network device from a server. The network device determines that a transmission phase of one or more data packets corresponding to each video frame in the plurality of video frames, and determines a corresponding priority based on the transmission phase of the one or more data packets corresponding to each video frame. The network device sends, based on the priority of the one or more data packets corresponding to each video frame, the one or more data packets corresponding to each video frame to a terminal device corresponding to each video frame.

An operating method of an electronic apparatus includes receiving multi-streams that include a first to N-th streams in a descending order of priority, obtaining multi-content corresponding to the multi-streams, and outputting the multi-content in a multi-view mode so that the multi-content corresponding to the multi-streams is respectively output to a plurality of partial screens. The receiving of the multi-streams includes determining a bit rate of each of the multi-streams according to priorities among the multi-streams and buffering each stream at the determined bit rate, and the multi-streams include a main stream having a higher priority and one or more sub-streams having a lower priority than the main stream.

Systems and methods are described for recommending a content item. A search query for a content item is received. The availability of the content item from more than one source is determined. In response to determining that the content item is available from more than one source, the quality of each of the available content items from respective sources is determined. A recommendation factor is determined. The recommendation factor is based on at least one of the bandwidth available to a user device, the resolution capability of the user device, and the quality of experience of each of the sources from which the content item is available. A list of search results for the available content items is generated. The list is ordered based on the quality of each of the available content items from respective sources and the recommendation factor.

A method includes, at a first time: receiving a request for video content from a first user; generating a fingerprint for the first user; associating the first user with a first user population—assigned to a first CDN and receiving the video content from the first CDN during the first time period—based on the fingerprint; and accessing a first metric for distribution of video content from the first CDN to users of the first user population. The method also includes, at a second time: selecting a second user within the first user population; identifying a second CDN distinct from the first CDN; reassigning the second user to the second CDN; and accessing a second metric for distribution of the video content from the second CDN to the second user; and, in response to the second metric exceeding the first metric, reassigning the first user to the second CDN.

A set-top box with self-monitoring and system and method for use of the same are disclosed. In one embodiment of the set-top box, a housing secures a television input, a television output, a processor, memory, and storage therein, which are communicatively interconnected by a busing architecture. The memory is accessible to the processor, and the memory includes processor-executable instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to detect when the television is not being utilized. Responsive thereto, the instructions cause the processor to scan channels received from the television input and generate a composite TV screen image data that may be resolved to a single TV screen image made from an assemblage of TV screen image captures corresponding to the scanned channels.

Methods and systems are disclosed for providing video content in response to requests in a content delivery system with more speed and efficiency. In some aspects, network monitoring devices may gather content specific and network performance metrics, from user devices and content delivery components, to provide input to a computing device for deciding whether to store or delete different versions of the same or different items of content. The decision may be based on a policy which may include a weighted score based on a combination of usage and network efficiency scores. In other aspects, methods and systems are provided to initially provide to a user device a stored version of a content item, and then switch, as needed, to a different version of the content item using on-demand transcoding.

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method of apportioning, by a processing system including a processor, a viewable area of a display screen into a main area and an application area; downloading, by the processing system, media content; displaying, by the processing system, the media content within the main area of the display screen; extracting, by the processing system, metadata from the media content; and providing, by the processing system, the metadata to an application, wherein the application: downloads information associated with the metadata provided in the media content, applies a bitrate limit to the downloading of the information to prevent interference with the downloading of the media content, generates display content based on the information, and sends the display content for displaying within the application area of the display screen concurrently with the media content being displayed in the main area of the display screen. Other embodiments are disclosed.

A performance metrics of a receiver is obtained using frames of an application hosted by a server that are received via a network. The one or more performance metrics include information indicative of a current occupancy of a frame buffer corresponding to the receiver and information indicative of a target occupancy of the frame buffer corresponding to the receiver. The frame buffer of the receiver is used to queue frames of the application for display. A frame rate associated with rendering at least one next frame of the application is adjusted using the one or more performance metrics of the receiver to control population of the frame buffer. Subsequent frames of the application hosted by the server are rendered using the adjusted frame rate. Upon rendering the subsequent frames, the server sends the subsequent frames to the receiver for display.

A computing device may receive a stream of content (e.g., a live stream of content). The computing device may determine a plurality of representations for the stream of content. The computing device may determine a primary encoder associated with each of the plurality of representations. Determining the primary encoder may be based on the plurality of representations. The computing device may determine viewer data associated with the stream of content. The computing device may determine whether to encode a backup representation for at least one of the plurality of representations. Determining whether to encode the backup representation may be based on the viewer data associated with the stream of content. The computing device may cause at least one backup encoder to encode the backup representation for the at least one of the plurality of representations.

A computing device may receive a stream of content (e.g., a live stream of content). The computing device may determine a plurality of representations for the stream of content. The computing device may determine a primary encoder associated with each of the plurality of representations. Determining the primary encoder may be based on the plurality of representations. The computing device may determine viewer data associated with the stream of content. The computing device may determine whether to encode a backup representation for at least one of the plurality of representations. Determining whether to encode the backup representation may be based on the viewer data associated with the stream of content. The computing device may cause at least one backup encoder to encode the backup representation for the at least one of the plurality of representations.