In some embodiments, an apparatus comprises a media module and a modification module included in an embedded appliance. The media module is configured to receive a first media signal associated with a first input port of the embedded appliance and a second media signal associated with a second input port of the embedded appliance. The media module is configured to identify a first set of media signal parameters based on the first media signal. The modification module is configured to receive a modification instruction associated with a session format having a second set of media signal parameters different from the first set of media signal parameters. The modification module is configured to modify the first media signal based on the first set of media signal parameters and the modification instruction to produce a first modified media signal in the session format and having the second set of media signal parameters.

Methods and systems are described for storing content. The content may be divided into user-specific portions and common portions. One or more selection rules may be used to divide the content into the user-specific portion and the common portions. The one or more selection rules may be selected such that the common portion is not decodable without the user-specific portions. The user-specific portions or data indicating a location of the user-specific portion may be stored in user-specific storage. The user-specific storage may be used to determine content for playback to a user.

Systems and methods for sorting favorite content sources are provided. A list of favorite content sources arranged in a first order is stored. The favorite content sources in the list are accessed according to the order of the favorite content sources in the list. At a given time, a user request to change a currently accessed content source to one of the favorite content sources in the list is received. In response to receiving the user request, an attribute of content presented on the currently accessed content source at the given time is identified. The favorite content sources in the list are rearranged into a second order based on the identified attribute. The favorite content sources in the list arc accessed according to the second order in response to receiving the user request.

Apparatus and methods for the storage and delivery of content over a network. In one embodiment, the network comprises a managed content distribution network, and the apparatus comprises a “cloud” digital video recorder (cDVR) server which stores, processes and assembles content prior to its delivery in a way that obviates superfluous storage, and gains significant network efficiencies. This approach also facilitates various pre-streaming processing in the video recording (e.g., cDVR) system. One or more content libraries adapted to facilitate cDVR content assembly and access are also disclosed. Secondary content (e.g., promotions, advertisements, etc.) can also be selectively inserted into cDVR content. Various access, business or operational rules and methods implementing the foregoing are also described.

Apparatus and methods for the storage and delivery of content over a network. In one embodiment, the network comprises a managed content distribution network, and the apparatus comprises a “cloud” digital video recorder (cDVR) server which stores, processes and assembles content prior to its delivery in a way that obviates superfluous storage, and gains significant network efficiencies. This approach also facilitates various pre-streaming processing in the video recording (e.g., cDVR) system. One or more content libraries adapted to facilitate cDVR content assembly and access are also disclosed. Secondary content (e.g., promotions, advertisements, etc.) can also be selectively inserted into cDVR content. Various access, business or operational rules and methods implementing the foregoing are also described.

Example methods and systems for modifying the playback of content using pre-processed profile information are described. Example instructions, when executed, cause at least one processor to access a media stream that includes media and a profile of equalization parameters, the media stream provided to a device via a network, the profile of equalization parameters included in the media stream selected based on a comparison of a reference fingerprint to a query fingerprint generated based on the media, the profile of equalization parameters including an equalization parameter for the media; and modify playback of the media based on the equalization parameter specified in the accessed profile.

The present disclosure provides video playback methods and apparatuses, computer-readable storage media, and electronic devices for video playback, which may reduce the search waiting time for a user during video playback. The video playback method may include: determining a time range for an initial incremental search according to a target playback timing retrieving a video file in each of the at least two search segments in a search sequence determined according to a preset search rule in a way that when a video file is retrieved from one of the at least two search segments, determining whether the video file satisfies a playback condition, when the video file satisfies the playback condition, playing the video file, and, when retrieving video file from one of the search segments is completed, continuing to retrieve a video file from a remaining search segment that has not been searched in the search sequence.

Example embodiments provide systems and methods for crowdsourced skipping of media content portions. In an example method, a plurality of content tags are received from a plurality of media content devices over a communication network. Each of the plurality of content tags may designate a location within a media content item. The content tags are processed to generate aggregated content tags for the media content item. The aggregated content tags may designate one or more portions of the media content item for modified playback. The aggregated content tags for the media content item are transmitted over the communication network to a first media content device separate from the plurality of media content devices.

This disclosure is directed to a system and method that automatically detects repeated content within multiple media items. Content providers often include content, such as an introduction, near the beginning of a media item. In some circumstances, such as in the case of a series of television episodes, the content providers use the same content in each episode of the series. By dividing the media items into portions and analyzing the portions, the systems and methods described can automatically detect the repeated content. Using the detection of the repeated content, a user interface can then allow a user to bypass the repeated content during playback.

Methods and systems are described for a media guidance application that enhances the viewing experiences of users consuming a sequence of media. In particular, the media guidance application may enhance the viewing experiences of users consuming a sequence of media by removing portions of redundant media that were previously consumed by the user.