Technologies are disclosed for providing stream media content and/or metadata indicating stream media content. A media control device may receive a Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) hypertext transport protocol (HTTP) request from a media content device. The DLNA HTTP request may have a header created by the media content device. The media control device may interpret the DLNA HTTP request header. A first metadata may be identified in the DLNA HTTP request header that may indicate a request for stream media content information. The media control device may send a DLNA HTTP response to the media content device. The DLNA HTTP response may have a header that may include a second metadata indicating the stream media content information. The second metadata may include information enabling construction of a HTTP Live Streaming (HLS) master playlist, a program map table, and/or a program association table associated with the stream media content.

There is provided a method in a remote media production system in an IP network, in which media production is performed at a stadium or the like, and the produced media content is transferred to a home studio for final production. The media content is transported in individual data streams over a network. In a receiving node R an aggregate of individual delays for the transferred data streams is monitored and form basis for determining at least one network delay correction factor or at least one common network offset for the individual data streams. The method further comprises time adjusting data transmitted over the network with the common network offset.

In a method for delivering targeted television advertisements based on online behavior, IP addresses indicating online access devices and IP addresses indicating television set-top boxes are electronically associated for a multitude of users. Using user profile information derived from online activity from one of the online access IP addresses, a television advertisement is selected, such as by using behavioral targeting or demographic information, and automatically directed to the set-top box indicated by the set-top IP address associated with that online access IP address. Preferably neither the user profile information nor the electronic association of online access and set-top box IP addresses includes personally identifiable information.

Video content is uploaded via the Internet to a video-on-demand (VOD) server identified by a title and a hierarchical address of categories and subcategories for categorizing the title. The VOD server converts and stores the video content at a storage address in a video content database linked to the title. The title is listed in a location of an electronic program guide (EPG) using the same categories and subcategories as in its hierarchical address. Any TV subscriber can access the EPG and navigate through its categories and subcategories to find a title for viewing on the TV. This can enable many new blogging or podcasting-like programs by popular “Hosts” to be self-published on the Internet and readily navigated for display on TV. The EPG can also store TV program addresses as bookmarks and allow them to be shared with other subscribers or with friends and contacts online by sending to their email addresses.

The present disclosure relates to a data transmission method and apparatus, and belongs to the field of Internet technology. The method includes: determining whether a to-be-sent video data packet exists each time a preset data sending cycle is reached; if the to-be-sent video data packet does not exist, selecting at least one video data packet, a number of times the at least one video data packet has been sent satisfying a preset sending-times condition and total data volume of the at least one video data packet satisfying a preset expected data-volume condition, from sent video data packets based on a number of times each of the sent video data packets has been sent, and determining a filling data packet according to selected video data packet; and sending the filling data packet to a receiving terminal.

A method is performed using a smart TV, which receives from a television signal source device a television signal feed encoding primary television content and then presents that content. The smart TV receives data via the computer network, including first data representing a to-be-replaced portion of the primary television content and second data representing secondary television content. Using the second data, the smart TV automatically presents the secondary television content in place of the to-be-replaced television content. The method includes the smart TV: (a) automatically monitoring, during presentation of the secondary television content, the television signal feed and comparing it with the first data; and (b) automatically altering presentation of the secondary television content in accordance with a user-control action with respect to the television signal source device, in response to detecting any difference between the television signal feed and the first data indicative of that user-control action.

Methods and apparatus for selectively enforcing required insertion or viewing of secondary content, such as advertisements or promotions, in a content distribution network. In one embodiment, the network is a managed network (e.g., cable television, satellite, or the like), and the method includes identifying secondary content with a particular attribute or property (e.g., an advertisement that a user has watched before), and selectively enabling one or more “trick mode” functions relating to that secondary content. In one implementation, audio codes or watermarks are inserted into the secondary content and detected when the content is accessed or rendered; if the detected content matches a database or listing of previously played content for that user or premises, the trick mode functionality (e.g., FF or “skip”) is enabled, thereby allowing the user to bypass the content.

Systems and methods are described for delivering regional content for a lineup over a national network. A content provider may select a particular regional broadcast for inclusion in a regional service lineup. The content provider may be able to broadcast multiple, or even all, services nationally. At regional distribution centers, a multiplexer may select only those services that are desired for the region in response to in-stream signals. In some instances, a single region-specific version of a given service may be selected from multiple versions broadcasted nationally. The regional lineup, including the selected services, can then be multiplexed and transmitted to customers throughout the region.

A content delivery server is configured to: receive a request for a chunk of a segment of a video stream, the segment of the video stream including a series of chunks, each of the chunks including a set of video frames, a first of the chunks being aligned with a first Instantaneous Decoder Refresh frame in the video stream, and a second of the chunks being aligned with a second subsequent Instantaneous Decoder Refresh frame in the video stream; determine whether the request was received during a first interval or a second subsequent interval of an intra period between the first of the chunks and the second of the chunks; output the first of the chunks or the second of the chunks for transmission based on the determination of whether the request was received during the first interval or the second interval.

A content delivery server is configured to: receive a request for a chunk of a segment of a video stream, the segment of the video stream including a series of chunks, each of the chunks including a set of video frames, a first of the chunks being aligned with a first Instantaneous Decoder Refresh frame in the video stream, and a second of the chunks being aligned with a second subsequent Instantaneous Decoder Refresh frame in the video stream; determine whether the request was received during a first interval or a second subsequent interval of an intra period between the first of the chunks and the second of the chunks; output the first of the chunks or the second of the chunks for transmission based on the determination of whether the request was received during the first interval or the second interval.