A method including: ingesting a video segment and a set of video features of the video segment; estimating a part size distribution for the video segment based on the set of video features and a first rendition of the video segment; calculating a maximum expected part size based on a threshold percentile in the part size distribution; at a first time, transmitting, to an video player, a manifest file indicating a set of byterange-addressable parts of the video segment in the first rendition, each byterange addressed part characterized by the maximum expected part size; at a second time, receiving, a playback request for a first byterange-addressable part; transcoding the first byterange-addressable part; in response to the maximum expected part size exceeding a size of the first byterange-addressable part in the first rendition, appending padding data to the first byterange-addressable part; and transmitting the first byterange-addressable part to the AV player.

A method including: ingesting a video segment and a set of video features of the video segment; estimating a part size distribution for the video segment based on the set of video features and a first rendition of the video segment; calculating a maximum expected part size based on a threshold percentile in the part size distribution; at a first time, transmitting, to an video player, a manifest file indicating a set of byterange-addressable parts of the video segment in the first rendition, each byterange addressed part characterized by the maximum expected part size; at a second time, receiving, a playback request for a first byterange-addressable part; transcoding the first byterange-addressable part; in response to the maximum expected part size exceeding a size of the first byterange-addressable part in the first rendition, appending padding data to the first byterange-addressable part; and transmitting the first byterange-addressable part to the AV player.

The present application discloses techniques a method for interaction during live video streaming. The techniques comprise obtaining and playing streamer-end video data, and user-end video data captured by a user terminal in real time; monitoring and recognizing whether the streamer-end video data comprise a preset voice instruction; determining whether the user-end video data comprises a target audio or a target video when the streamer-end video data comprises the preset voice instruction; and displaying a video special effect corresponding to the preset voice instruction in a user video when the user-end video data comprise the target audio or the target video. By means of the present application, a video special effect can be played for a user video according to a result of interaction between a streamer and a user, which enriches the way of interaction presentation and enhances the sense of participation in interaction.

A method including: ingesting a video segment and a set of video features of the video segment; estimating a part size distribution for the video segment based on the set of video features and a first rendition of the video segment; calculating a maximum expected part size based on a threshold percentile in the part size distribution; at a first time, transmitting, to an video player, a manifest file indicating a set of byterange-addressable parts of the video segment in the first rendition, each byterange addressed part characterized by the maximum expected part size; at a second time, receiving, a playback request for a first byterange-addressable part; transcoding the first byterange-addressable part; in response to the maximum expected part size exceeding a size of the first byterange-addressable part in the first rendition, appending padding data to the first byterange-addressable part; and transmitting the first byterange-addressable part to the AV player.

A method including: ingesting a video segment and a set of video features of the video segment; estimating a part size distribution for the video segment based on the set of video features and a first rendition of the video segment; calculating a maximum expected part size based on a threshold percentile in the part size distribution; at a first time, transmitting, to an video player, a manifest file indicating a set of byterange-addressable parts of the video segment in the first rendition, each byterange addressed part characterized by the maximum expected part size; at a second time, receiving, a playback request for a first byterange-addressable part; transcoding the first byterange-addressable part; in response to the maximum expected part size exceeding a size of the first byterange-addressable part in the first rendition, appending padding data to the first byterange-addressable part; and transmitting the first byterange-addressable part to the AV player.

A method at an electronic device with a display includes: displaying a user interface having a first region and a second region; receiving, and displaying in the first region of the user interface, a live video stream of a physical environment captured by a remote video camera; displaying, in the second region, a timeline corresponding to a timespan for a first portion of a duration during which the live video stream may have been recorded; in response to receiving a user interaction to move the timespan to a second portion of the duration, transitioning the displayed timeline to a new timeline that corresponds to the timespan for the second portion, and while transitioning, displaying, in the first region, a subset of video frames representing the first and/or second portion of the duration.

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.

Methods and arrangements in a client node and a server node support a decision on decoding and playout of a certain content in the client node. The methods and arrangements relate to the determining, conveying and obtaining of information related to the characteristics (level) required for decoding and playing out the certain media content at a non-regular playout rate. The method and arrangement in the client node further relate to determining, based on the obtained information, which playout rate(s) is/are supported by the client node in regard of level. The methods and arrangements enable the client node to refrain from attempting to decode and play out of the content at a non-regular rate requiring a level which is not supported by the client node.

Methods and arrangements in a client node and a server node support a decision on decoding and playout of a certain content in the client node. The methods and arrangements relate to the determining, conveying and obtaining of information related to the characteristics (level) required for decoding and playing out the certain media content at a non-regular playout rate. The method and arrangement in the client node further relate to determining, based on the obtained information, which playout rate(s) is/are supported by the client node in regard of level. The methods and arrangements enable the client node to refrain from attempting to decode and play out of the content at a non-regular rate requiring a level which is not supported by the client node.