Systems and methods are described herein for streaming during unavailability of a content server. Upon determining that there are conditions indicating buffering issues during delivery of a media asset, a server determines a first group of devices suitable for receiving the media asset from the server and sharing the media asset on a peer-to-peer network. Then, the server determines a second group of devices suitable for receiving the media asset on a peer-to-peer network from a first group device. The server then determines groupings within which to share and receive the media asset. Next, the server transmits instructions to the devices in the first group to maintain in buffer and share certain portions of the media asset with the second group devices within their grouping. Finally, the server updates information detailing the media asset portions the devices are maintaining in buffer and sharing.

A network management system may allocate different amounts of bandwidth to different types of data traffic. The traffic types may be distinguished by their source device address, and whether the source device is part of, or external to, a first network. Packets may also be marked by their sender with information to identify a traffic type, and the marking may be used to determine the packet's treatment. The allocations given to the various types of traffic may be dynamically modified with changing traffic demands and conditions.

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.

Systems and methods for verifying the rendering of video content on information resources are provided herein. A server can transmit a video content element having a first bit stream corresponding to a predesignated frame to a client device. The client device can identify the first bit stream as corresponding to the predesignated frame. The client device can decode the first bit stream corresponding to the predesignated frame of the video content element to generate a second bit stream. The client device can transmit, to the server, a tracking message including the second bit stream. The server can compare the second bit stream included in the tracking message from the client device with a third bit stream maintained at a database. The server can determine that the video content element is rendered at the client device responsive to the second bit stream matching the third bit stream.

Intelligently downloading content to user devices is described herein. According to an embodiment, a user request for content is received. In response to the request, a low quality version of the content is downloaded and played to the user. Then, a higher quality version of the content is downloaded (this may occur during or after the download or playback of the low quality version of the content). Playback of the low quality version is discontinued. Then, playback of the higher quality version begins at the point where playback of the low quality version was discontinued. In some embodiments, the low quality version and the higher quality version of the requested content (among all the versions of the requested content) are identified via crowdsourcing.

Intelligently downloading content to user devices is described herein. According to an embodiment, a user request for content is received. In response to the request, a low quality version of the content is downloaded and played to the user. Then, a higher quality version of the content is downloaded (this may occur during or after the download or playback of the low quality version of the content). Playback of the low quality version is discontinued. Then, playback of the higher quality version begins at the point where playback of the low quality version was discontinued. In some embodiments, the low quality version and the higher quality version of the requested content (among all the versions of the requested content) are identified via crowdsourcing.

A multiple-identity secure device (MISD) persistently may store an identification code. The identification code may be stored in an integral memory of the device, or on an interchangeable card received in a physical interface of the MISD. The MISD may generate one or more unique identities (e.g., network addresses) from the stored identification code. The generated identities may be dynamically generated or may be securely stored in the MISD for subsequent retrieval. The generated identities may generates in accordance with an addressing scheme, a global/network setting, or as determined from a received data transmission.

A multiple-identity secure device (MISD) persistently may store an identification code. The identification code may be stored in an integral memory of the device, or on an interchangeable card received in a physical interface of the MISD. The MISD may generate one or more unique identities (e.g., network addresses) from the stored identification code. The generated identities may be dynamically generated or may be securely stored in the MISD for subsequent retrieval. The generated identities may generates in accordance with an addressing scheme, a global/network setting, or as determined from a received data transmission.

In general, in an aspect, versions of representations of segments of a media item are received and temporarily stored on a media playing device. The segments have a sequence. The temporarily stored versions are used in sequence to present at least part of the media item to a user. One or more other versions of representations of segments of the media item are also received and persistently stored on the media playing device. The one or more persistently stored other versions are used to enhance the presentation of at least part of the media item to the user.

A video transmission method, system and a device includes a sending device that generates and sends a source video stream, where the source video stream includes a plurality of video data packets, each video data packet includes discard indication information, a discard priority indicated by discard indication information included in a first video data packet is higher than a discard priority indicated by discard indication information included in a second video data packet, video data in a video frame whose frame type is a non-reference B frame is encapsulated into the first video data packet, and video data in a video frame whose frame type is an I frame, a P frame, or a reference B frame is encapsulated into the second video data packet.