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).

A method and system for planning and running video-on-demand (VOD) advertising includes a planner for planning advertising campaigns and an ad selector for running selected advertisements from selected ones of the campaigns. The campaigns are associated with household demographic classifications, video content category categories, household geographic locations, and/or video viewing times. In response to a viewer requesting a video, the selector selects the campaigns corresponding to the demographic classification associated with the viewer, the content category of the requested video, the geographic location associated with the viewer, and/or the viewing time at which the requested video is viewed. The demographic classification is determined by using an identifier of the viewer's set-top-box. The selector may select the campaigns corresponding to the content categories of the requested video. The content categories are determined by using an identifier associated with the requested video.

Disclosed are a live broadcast stream pushing method and apparatus, and an electronic device. One specific embodiment of the method comprises: receiving viewing permission setting information, wherein the viewing permission setting information is used for representing viewing permission of viewing a live broadcast stream of a multimedia conference; on the basis of the live broadcast starting state of the multimedia conference and the viewing permission setting information, determining whether to push the live broadcast stream of the multimedia conference to a requester who requests the live broadcast stream; and in response to determining to push the live broadcast stream of the multimedia conference to the requester, pushing the live broadcast stream of the multimedia conference to the requester. According to the embodiment, the flexibility of pushing a live broadcast stream of a multimedia conference is improved.

One embodiment sets forth a technique that includes receiving a request for a range of data included in an encoded version of the media title that is stored across a set of files. The technique also includes determining, based on a file extent index, one or more files included in the set of files, wherein the file extent index maps an identifier for each file in the set to a given range of data that is stored in the file and included in the encoded version. The technique further includes retrieving the range of data from the file(s), wherein at least a portion of the retrieved range of data falls within the given range of data that is stored in each of the one or more files, and transmitting the range of data in a response to the request.

A method and an apparatus for retrieving teleplay content is disclosed. The method includes: generating basic summary information corresponding to each teleplay based on basic information of entities of each teleplay; generating episode summary information corresponding to each episode of each teleplay based on episode data of each episode of each teleplay; establishing a teleplay graph database based on the basic summary information corresponding to each teleplay and the episode summary information corresponding to each episode; and feeding a playing portal for a target episode of a target teleplay corresponding to teleplay search information back to a user based on the teleplay graph database.

An example method, performed by an edge data network, of transmitting video content includes: obtaining first bearing information from an electronic device connected to the edge data network; determining second predicted bearing information based on the first bearing information; determining a second predicted partial image corresponding to the second predicted bearing information; transmitting, to the electronic device, a second predicted frame generated by encoding the second predicted partial image; obtaining, from the electronic device, second bearing information corresponding to a second partial image; comparing the second predicted bearing information to the obtained second bearing information; generating, based on a result of the comparing, a compensation frame using at least two of a first partial image corresponding to the first bearing information, the second predicted partial image, or the second partial image corresponding to the second bearing information; and transmitting the generated compensation frame to the electronic device based on the result of the comparing.

Systems and methods for automatically generating top level index files for use in adaptive bitrate streaming in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. One embodiment of the method of the invention includes receiving a request from a playback device at a playback server, where the request identifies a piece of content, retrieving a list of assets associated with the identified piece of content using the playback server, filtering the list of assets using at least one predetermined criterion using the playback server, generating a top level index file describing each asset in the filtered list of assets using the playback server, and sending the top level index file to the playback device using the playback server.

A digital content storage and delivery system (DCSDS) includes a network interface to communicate data between the DCSDS and a destination device via a network data communication link having limited bandwidth. An input interface receives digital content for handling by the DCSDS. A storage architecture stores recorded video content on behalf of subscriber end users for on-demand playback via the network data communication link, and it caches live streaming video content for distribution via the network data communication link. The DCDS may monitor bandwidth usage of the network data communication link, determine current bandwidth demand for playback of recorded video content stored at the storage architecture, and reserve at least some of the limited bandwidth of the network data communication link to satisfy the determined current bandwidth demand. The available bandwidth is allocated to support distribution of live streaming video from the DCSDS.

A system for performing user-initiated content modification includes a computing platform having processing hardware and a system memory storing a software code. The processing hardware is configured to execute the software code to receive a request to perform a modification to content, determine, in response to the request, whether the modification is permissible or impermissible, and when the modification is determined to be impermissible, deny the request. When the modification is determined to be permissible, the processing hardware is configured to further execute the software code to obtain the content, obtain or produce alternate content for use in modifying the content per the request, and perform the modification to the content, using the alternate content, to provide modified content.

An apparatus comprises a first processing device, the first processing device comprising a physical hardware controller configured for coupling with a second processing device. The first processing device is configured to identify one or more remote multimedia service instances attached to the second processing device and to initiate, at the first processing device, one or more multimedia emulation modules for the remote multimedia service instances attached to the second processing device, the multimedia emulation modules emulating one or more physical multimedia input devices configured for attachment to the second processing device. The first processing device is also configured to provision the remote multimedia service instances to the second processing device by identifying requests for multimedia input, processing the requested multimedia input utilizing hardware resources of the physical hardware controller, and providing modified multimedia input to the second processing device via the emulated physical multimedia input devices.