A method comprising: writing, in a container file, a first video-based point cloud compression (V-PCC) bitstream and a second V-PCC bitstream, wherein said first and second V-PCC bitstreams are associated with a common group based on at least one logical context; writing, in the container file, an indication about the common group between the first V-PCC bitstream and the second V-PCC bitstream; generating a media presentation description (MPD) file with a first representation belonging to a first adaptation set associated with the first V-PCC bitstream and a second representation belonging to a second adaptation set associated with the second V-PCC bitstream; and writing, in the MPD file, at least one information element describing grouping information of the first representation belonging to the first adaptation set and the second representation belonging to the second adaptation set, wherein said information element is provided with at least one attribute indicating that said first and second V-PCC bitstreams are user-switchable alternatives upon rendering.

Data is encoded into one or more optically encoded images. The optically encoded images are then inserted as image data into a video sequence - i.e., in video frames. Data are transmitted in-band within the video, via any conceivable video distribution channel or format. The video may be trans-coded as required - because the data are optically encoded, any video processing that even crudely preserves the frame images will preserve the optically encoded data. This scheme of in-band data transfer in video is very robust. A video receiving apparatus receives the video, inspects the image data from video frames in memory, detects optically encoded images in the image data, and decodes the optically encoded images to recover the data. The frames carrying optically encoded images are typically discarded and not rendered to a display. The receiver controls connected equipment, other than a display (e.g., a musical instrument), based on the extracted data.

A combiner system may be provided for combining, in a compressed domain, video streams of different media sources in a composite video stream by including a respective video stream as independently decodable spatial segment(s) in the composite video stream. The combiner system may generate composition metadata describing a composition of the spatial segments in the composite video stream and identification metadata comprising identifiers of the respective video streams. A receiver system may obtain decoded video data of a respective video stream based on the composition metadata and a decoding of the composite video stream, and based on the identification metadata, identify a process for handling the decoded video data. Thereby, the composition of spatial segments may dynamically change, while still allowing the receiver device to correctly handle the spatial segments.

A combiner system may be provided for combining, in a compressed domain, video streams of different media sources in a composite video stream by including a respective video stream as independently decodable spatial segment(s) in the composite video stream. The combiner system may generate composition metadata describing a composition of the spatial segments in the composite video stream and identification metadata comprising identifiers of the respective video streams. A receiver system may obtain decoded video data of a respective video stream based on the composition metadata and a decoding of the composite video stream, and based on the identification metadata, identify a process for handling the decoded video data. Thereby, the composition of spatial segments may dynamically change, while still allowing the receiver device to correctly handle the spatial segments.

A media content storage and delivery system, and related operating methods are presented here. A disclosed method of delivering user-provided content that is linked to on-demand media content involves: causing playback of on-demand media content at a first presentation device; receiving uploaded media content, wherein uploading of the uploaded media content is initiated during playback of the on-demand media content at the first presentation device; and linking the uploaded media content with the on-demand media content. After performing the linking, the method causes playback of the on-demand media content at a second presentation device, and causes playback of the uploaded media content after playback of the on-demand media content at the second presentation device, or after pausing playback of the on-demand media content at the second presentation device.

Systems and methods are configured to provide alternate content during video streaming. Content made up of a plurality of blocks is streamed over a first video stream to a user computing device via a first URI. While streaming, a determination is made that alternate content is available. In response, a signaling mechanism is provided indicating such and a request for the alternate content is received. As a result, a particular block that is currently being provided over the first video stream is suspended and the alternate content is streamed to the user computing entity over a second video stream. Depending on the embodiment, the second video stream may be accessed by re-activating the first URI or by activating a second URI. Upon completion of the alternate content, the particular block that was suspended can be resumed to facilitate continued streaming of the content over the first or second video stream.

Systems and methods are configured to provide alternate content during video streaming. Content made up of a plurality of blocks is streamed over a first video stream to a user computing device via a first URI. While streaming, a determination is made that alternate content is available. In response, a signaling mechanism is provided indicating such and a request for the alternate content is received. As a result, a particular block that is currently being provided over the first video stream is suspended and the alternate content is streamed to the user computing entity over a second video stream. Depending on the embodiment, the second video stream may be accessed by re-activating the first URI or by activating a second URI. Upon completion of the alternate content, the particular block that was suspended can be resumed to facilitate continued streaming of the content over the first or second video stream.

The present invention enables a receiving side to easily recognize a high-quality format corresponding to encoded image data included in an extended video stream. Two video streams including a basic video stream including encoded image data of basic format image data, and an extended video stream including encoded image data of high-quality format image data of one type selected from a plurality of types are generated. A container of a predetermined format including the basic video stream and the extended video stream is transmitted. Information indicating a high-quality format corresponding to the encoded image data included in the extended video stream is inserted into the extended video stream and/or the container.

The present invention enables a receiving side to easily recognize a high-quality format corresponding to encoded image data included in an extended video stream. Two video streams including a basic video stream including encoded image data of basic format image data, and an extended video stream including encoded image data of high-quality format image data of one type selected from a plurality of types are generated. A container of a predetermined format including the basic video stream and the extended video stream is transmitted. Information indicating a high-quality format corresponding to the encoded image data included in the extended video stream is inserted into the extended video stream and/or the container.

The present invention concerns a method of encapsulating subpicture bitstreams in at least one media file, the subpicture bitstreams corresponding to encoded media data of a subpicture corresponding to a rectangular region of video data, the method comprising: obtaining the plurality of subpicture bitstreams; encapsulating each subpicture bitstream in a subpicture track; generating at least one base track referencing at least two subpicture tracks and forming a spatial arrangement of the at least two subpicture tracks; generating information describing APS referenced by samples of the at least two subpicture tracks; encapsulating the subpicture tracks, the at least one base track and the information describing APS in the at least one media file.