A method of communication, in which a communicating device is situated behind a residential gateway able to implement the QUIC (Quick UDP Internet Connection) protocol and connected to a plurality of paths Pi, where i=1, . . . , N, on which the gateway can dispatch data packets received from the communicating device, and receive packets of data intended for the communicating device. The method includes: the gateway associating a respective connection identifier C_ID #i with each of the paths Pi; and, when the gateway receives a data packet from the communicating device, the gateway transmits this data packet on one of the paths Pi while taking into account the connection identifier C_ID #i corresponding to this path Pi.

Methods for generating an AV bitstream (e.g., an MPEG-2 transport stream or bitstream segment having adaptive streaming format) such that the AV bitstream includes at least one video I-frame synchronized with at least one audio I-frame, e.g., including by re-authoring at least one video or audio frame (as a re-authored I-frame or a re-authored P-frame). Typically, a segment of content of the AV bitstream which includes the re-authored frame starts with an I-frame and includes at least one subsequent P-frame. Other aspects are methods for adapting such an AV bitstream, audio/video processing units configured to perform any embodiment of the inventive method, and audio/video processing units which include a buffer memory which stores at least one segment of an AV bitstream generated in accordance with any embodiment of the inventive method.

A video quality evaluation system comprises a training module, a calculation module, an analytical module, a designing module, an optimization module, and an estimation module. The training module collects training videos and trains labels of perceptual quality generation that is associated with the collected videos. The calculation module determines objective metrics based on the trained labels that are associated with the collected videos. The analytical module analyses scenes of the training video, and correlates objective metrics associated with the analysed scenes using perceptual parameters. The designing module designs a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) Architecture based on data associated with the objective metrics and trains a model generated based on the designed CNN architecture. The optimization module optimizes the model and optimizes power after the model optimization. The estimation module estimates perceptual quality scores for incoming video data after the power optimization.

Systems, methods, and non-transitory, machine-readable media to facilitate streaming in a local network are disclosed. A primary media device may be configured to: operate as a server in a local network, receive audio/video (A/V) content, and provide the A/V content to a first display. A secondary media device may be communicatively connected to the primary media device and may be configured to: operate as a client with respect to the primary media device in the local network, receive the A/V content from the primary media device, and provide the A/V content to a second display. The primary media device and the secondary media device may use multiple subnets in the local network. The primary media device and/or the secondary media device may select a first subnet of the multiple subnets to use based at least in part on a type of content to communicate via the first subnet.

Computer-implemented systems and methods of providing content to a user via communications between a content provider and a user over a plurality of disparate communication channels are provided. Content is provided to a user via a first transmission channel for presentation. Metadata associated with the content identifies a content event trigger at a point in the content. The content is displayed using a first presentation system. When the content event trigger is reached, supplemental content is provided to the user via a second transmission channel. The supplemental content is provided to the user during continued presentation of the content, and the supplemental content is provided to the user using a content providing system that is wholly separate from the first presentation system.

A multi-view (MV) network bridge device includes an upstream interface, multiple downstream interfaces, and a controller. The controller receives, from the upstream interface, a specification of one or more viewing zones and a specification of one or more content streams. Also, the controller sends, on at least one of the downstream interfaces, at least a subset of each of the specifications received from the upstream interface. The upstream interface may be coupled to a computer that provides the specifications. Each of the downstream interfaces may be coupled to a different MV display panel. One of the downstream interfaces may be coupled to an MV display panel that is coupled to another MV display panel. One of the downstream interfaces may be coupled to an upstream interface of another MV network bridge device having a downstream interface coupled to an MV display panel.

A system and method for improving media delivery and display. By utilizing a memory buffer in a DVR or similar device, and broadcasting linear content at a rate other than 1×, services like video on demand or regular broadcasters can be more versatile. For example, viewers can start over without launching a separate VOD session. If part of the linear content requested is not in the buffer, a switched multicast stream can be sent with the proper section of content. Other receivers on the network may also receive the stream and buffer the content if the content is related to what a viewer is viewing.

A server receives, from a first display device of a first user, first content data, first sensor data, and a request for assistance identifying a context of the first display device. The server identifies a second display device of a second user based on the context of the first display device. The server receives second content data and second sensor data from the second display device. The first content data is synchronized with the second content data based on the first and second sensor data. Playback parameters are formed based on the context of the first display device. An enhanced playback session is generated using the synchronized first and second content data in response to determining that the first sensor data meet the playback parameters. The enhanced playback session is communicated to the first display device.

Directional wireless drop systems are provided. These systems include a tap unit that is connected to a communications line of the broadband network; a cable modem unit connected to the tap unit; a plurality of wireless routers connected to the cable modem unit; and a directional antenna unit that is connected to at least a first of the wireless routers. Each wireless router is associated with a respective one of a plurality of subscriber premises that are served by the directional wireless drop system and is configured to communicate with at least one device that is located at the respective one of plurality of subscriber premises.

Systems, devices, and methods for streaming media content over a network are provided. One exemplary method of streaming media content over a network involves transmitting one or more portions of the media content to a client device via a delivery route between a content delivery source and the network, determining a performance metric associated with the transmitting of the one or more portions via the delivery route, and dynamically adjusting the delivery route between the content delivery source and the network based at least in part on the performance metric.