Transaction activity of a cache maintaining content may be monitored to determine periods of transaction activity below a first threshold amount of transactions. A period of anticipated transaction activity above a second threshold amount of transactions may be determined. A period of anticipated transaction activity below the first threshold may be selected based upon the monitored periods of transaction activity below the first threshold and the determined period of anticipated transaction activity above the second threshold. Content then may be evicted from the cache during the selected period of anticipated transaction activity.

Implementations provide low-latency live-video streams using existing content delivery networks. An example method includes receiving a video broadcast as a series of frames and determining, for each frame, whether the frame is a break frame. Responsive to determining that the frame is a break frame, the method includes removing an in-progress tag from a current segment file in a playlist for the video broadcast. The playlist includes at least a previous segment file, the current segment file, and a next segment file, which also has a respective in-progress tag. The method also includes associating the frame with a next segment file in a playlist and transmitting the playlist to a cache server. Responsive to determining the frame in the series of frames is not a break frame, the method includes associating the frame with the current segment file. The frame is transmitted to the cache server as a chunk.

Implementations provide low-latency live-video streams using existing content delivery networks. An example method includes receiving a video broadcast as a series of frames and determining, for each frame, whether the frame is a break frame. Responsive to determining that the frame is a break frame, the method includes removing an in-progress tag from a current segment file in a playlist for the video broadcast. The playlist includes at least a previous segment file, the current segment file, and a next segment file, which also has a respective in-progress tag. The method also includes associating the frame with a next segment file in a playlist and transmitting the playlist to a cache server. Responsive to determining the frame in the series of frames is not a break frame, the method includes associating the frame with the current segment file. The frame is transmitted to the cache server as a chunk.

Image transformation for use in a hybrid distribution architecture with improved performance characteristics is provided herein. The hybrid distribution architecture provides content to clients via a dual source system using a central cloud service and a Content Distribution Network, which uses the cloud service as its source. A client that requests a new rendition of an image provided by a chosen source of the hybrid distribution architecture will have that request handled by the source, and the source may maintain that rendition for future provision. By allowing the client to choose the source and letting that source handle the request, rather than requiring a central service hand the request, the amount of data needed to be transmitted is reduced and the speed of provision of content, modified or not, is improved for the client.

Image transformation for use in a hybrid distribution architecture with improved performance characteristics is provided herein. The hybrid distribution architecture provides content to clients via a dual source system using a central cloud service and a Content Distribution Network, which uses the cloud service as its source. A client that requests a new rendition of an image provided by a chosen source of the hybrid distribution architecture will have that request handled by the source, and the source may maintain that rendition for future provision. By allowing the client to choose the source and letting that source handle the request, rather than requiring a central service hand the request, the amount of data needed to be transmitted is reduced and the speed of provision of content, modified or not, is improved for the client.

Centralized storage and playback of user-recorded television programming eliminates the need for expensive DVR devices to be deployed in the field. Further, the methods used to initiate storage and provide playback of stored media respect copyright principles.

The present invention relates to a method for synchronizing video live broadcast, which can improve user experience in a video live broadcast service. In the present invention, a video stream synchronization request is sent to a network side device; a video stream playback position synchronization parameter sent by the network side device is received, where the video stream playback position synchronization parameter includes a playback position parameter at a video stream sending moment and a system frame number SFN at the video stream sending moment; an SFN at a video stream receiving moment is acquired; and the playback position parameter at the video stream sending moment is adjusted according to the SFN at the video stream sending moment and the SFN at the video stream receiving moment, so as to coincide with a current playback position parameter of the network side device.

The present invention relates to a method for synchronizing video live broadcast, which can improve user experience in a video live broadcast service. In the present invention, a video stream synchronization request is sent to a network side device; a video stream playback position synchronization parameter sent by the network side device is received, where the video stream playback position synchronization parameter includes a playback position parameter at a video stream sending moment and a system frame number SFN at the video stream sending moment; an SFN at a video stream receiving moment is acquired; and the playback position parameter at the video stream sending moment is adjusted according to the SFN at the video stream sending moment and the SFN at the video stream receiving moment, so as to coincide with a current playback position parameter of the network side device.

Methods and apparatus for supporting content delivery service are described. In accordance with the invention content can be supplied to temporary storage of a regional or local server used to supply the content to a customer's premises when the requested content is not already available in the regional or local server. A content server hierarchy may be implemented with servers higher up in the hierarchy including more content, e.g., titles, than the number of titles stored in the lower level servers. By storing less frequently accessed content in servers higher in the hierarchy and frequently requested titles lower in the hierarchy, a vast number of titles can be supported without overburdening the storage available at local and regional servers. In addition, a national or other server high in the hierarchy can be used to store, move, and distribute local or other content as part of an on demand service.

Methods and apparatus for supporting content delivery service are described. In accordance with the invention content can be supplied to temporary storage of a regional or local server used to supply the content to a customer's premises when the requested content is not already available in the regional or local server. A content server hierarchy may be implemented with servers higher up in the hierarchy including more content, e.g., titles, than the number of titles stored in the lower level servers. By storing less frequently accessed content in servers higher in the hierarchy and frequently requested titles lower in the hierarchy, a vast number of titles can be supported without overburdening the storage available at local and regional servers. In addition, a national or other server high in the hierarchy can be used to store, move, and distribute local or other content as part of an on demand service.