Network services encode multimedia content, such as video, into multiple adaptive bitrate streams of encoded video and a separate trick play stream of encoded video to support trick play features. The trick play stream is encoded at a lower encoding bitrate and frame rate than each of the adaptive bitrate streams. The adaptive bitrate streams and the trick play stream are stored in the network services. During normal content streaming and playback, a client device downloads a selected one of the adaptive bitrate streams from network serviced for playback at the client device. To implement a trick play feature, the client device downloads the trick play stream from the network services for trick play playback.

An objective of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for video transmission, wherein the video is initially stored in one or more other network devices. The method comprises receiving a second request for a video from a user equipment; forwarding the second request to other network device corresponding to the second request; determining a manner of obtaining the video based on a response, received from the other network device, to the second request; and transmitting the video obtained based on the manner of obtaining the video to the user equipment. Compared with the prior art, by uniformly determining a manner of obtaining a video and transmitting the obtained video to the user equipment the present invention, the present invent on lowers deployment difficulty, reduces bandwidth resource demands, and enhances the video sharing degree.

An objective of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for video transmission, wherein the video is initially stored in one or more other network devices. The method comprises receiving a second request for a video from a user equipment; forwarding the second request to other network device corresponding to the second request; determining a manner of obtaining the video based on a response, received from the other network device, to the second request; and transmitting the video obtained based on the manner of obtaining the video to the user equipment. Compared with the prior art, by uniformly determining a manner of obtaining a video and transmitting the obtained video to the user equipment the present invention, the present invent on lowers deployment difficulty, reduces bandwidth resource demands, and enhances the video sharing degree.

Systems and methods are disclosed herein for avoiding playback of an advertisement by selectively switching between media streams. To this end, a media guidance application receives a plurality of media streams from different sources, switches to a first media stream and plays back a first media asset of the first media stream, and determines that an end to playback of the first media asset is imminent. The media guidance application then determines whether a second media stream of the plurality of media streams is within a threshold amount of time of playing back a beginning of a second media asset, and if the second media stream is within the threshold amount of time of playing back the beginning of the second media asset, the media guidance application switches from the first media stream to the second media stream and plays back the second media asset.

Systems and methods are disclosed herein for avoiding playback of an advertisement by selectively switching between media streams. To this end, a media guidance application receives a plurality of media streams from different sources, switches to a first media stream and plays back a first media asset of the first media stream, and determines that an end to playback of the first media asset is imminent. The media guidance application then determines whether a second media stream of the plurality of media streams is within a threshold amount of time of playing back a beginning of a second media asset, and if the second media stream is within the threshold amount of time of playing back the beginning of the second media asset, the media guidance application switches from the first media stream to the second media stream and plays back the second media asset.

Systems, methods, and devices are disclosed enabling smart search functionalities utilizing key scene changes appearing in video content. In various embodiments, the method includes the step or process of, while engaged in playback of the video content, receiving a user command at a playback device to shift a current playback position of the video content to a default search playback position (PP.sub.DS). In response to receipt of the user command, the playback device searches a time window encompassing the default search playback position (PP.sub.DS) for a key scene change in the video content. If locating a key scene change within the time window, the playback device shifts playback of the video content to a playback position corresponding to the key scene change (PP.sub.ST). Otherwise, the playback device shifts playback of the video content to the default search playback position (PP.sub.DS).

Systems, methods, and devices are disclosed enabling smart search functionalities utilizing key scene changes appearing in video content. In various embodiments, the method includes the step or process of, while engaged in playback of the video content, receiving a user command at a playback device to shift a current playback position of the video content to a default search playback position (PP.sub.DS). In response to receipt of the user command, the playback device searches a time window encompassing the default search playback position (PP.sub.DS) for a key scene change in the video content. If locating a key scene change within the time window, the playback device shifts playback of the video content to a playback position corresponding to the key scene change (PP.sub.ST). Otherwise, the playback device shifts playback of the video content to the default search playback position (PP.sub.DS).

Systems and methods are described herein for controlling playback and/or recording of media assets at a media device based on the state of a secondary device. Specifically, while displaying a media asset, a media device receives a signal from the secondary device indicating a change of state of the secondary device. The media device displays a notification of the signal, and the user can interact with the notification. If the user interacts with the notification for more than a threshold amount of time, the media device may begin recording the media asset. Once the user has finished interacting with the notification, the media device may stop recording and the user can see content that they may have missed by reviewing the recorded portion of the media asset.

Systems and methods are described herein for controlling playback and/or recording of media assets at a media device based on the state of a secondary device. Specifically, while displaying a media asset, a media device receives a signal from the secondary device indicating a change of state of the secondary device. The media device displays a notification of the signal, and the user can interact with the notification. If the user interacts with the notification for more than a threshold amount of time, the media device may begin recording the media asset. Once the user has finished interacting with the notification, the media device may stop recording and the user can see content that they may have missed by reviewing the recorded portion of the media asset.

A method for providing a personalized media stream includes receiving a signal from a user to launch a personalized media stream, determining a current time, identifying a first time slot of a schedule into which the current time falls, identifying a first channel that is associated with the first time slot, wherein viewing history for the user indicates that the user has viewed the first channel during the first time slot in the past, automatically tuning the display device to the first channel in response to the signal, receiving, subsequent to the automatically tuning, a command from the user to pause a program playing on the first channel, identifying a second channel associated with a second time slot, wherein the second time slot occurs later in time that the first time slot, and buffering a portion of a program being shown on the second channel during the second time slot.