Dynamic control by a source device of sink buffer size for audio and/or video streaming over an error-prone channel. The sink buffer size may be determined based on a type of application for a media stream being transmitted from the source device to the sink device for presentation. The techniques may select a buffer size that is smaller for gaming applications, larger for interactive media applications, and even larger for non-interactive media types. The techniques adjust the time delta between a shared clock reference and time reference values of a transport stream that are used by the sink device to determine decoding or presenting of media frames of the transport stream relative to a shared clock reference. In addition, the techniques may account for transceiver latency at the source device due to scanning or multiple concurrent connections.

A system for providing video playback comprises a processor configured to synchronize clocks on the plurality of devices to a standard time, provide target video playback positions to the plurality of devices, wherein target video playback positions are based at least in part on the timing information, provide one or more locators for video streams to the plurality of devices, monitor playback status for each of the plurality of devices, and for a device, determine whether the playback status for the device indicates that a selected bitrate is too low or too high or that the playback is fast or slow; in response to determining the selected bitrate is too low, indicate to select a higher bitrate for a device; and in response to determining the selected bitrate is too high, indicate to select a lower bitrate for the device.

A hypothetical reference decoder.

A content playback information estimation apparatus, for estimating a state on playback of content, that is provided between a distribution server and a terminal in a system in which the distribution server distributes the content to the terminal via a network and the terminal plays the content, the content playback information estimation apparatus including: a unit configured to obtain packet data distributed from the distribution server to the terminal and to store the packet data in a storage unit; a unit configured to estimate a data amount in a buffer of the terminal based on obtained packet data; and a unit configured to estimate a state on playback at each time of the content in the terminal by comparing the estimated data amount with a predetermined threshold.

A method for reproducing, i.e., playing back, media data includes: receiving media data in a receive buffer; determining whether the receive buffer is sufficiently filled; reducing the playback speed over a period until the receive buffer is sufficiently filled, and playing back the media data at the reduced playback speed. The reduced playback speed has a speed profile having at least one non-linear section.

The disclosure relates to a computer-readable recording medium having a program recorded therein for providing network-adaptive content and a related apparatus. The disclosure allows streaming content to be provided to a user terminal in view of a difference in transmission quality of communication networks by analyzing a source address of a signaling message transmitted to the user terminal, identifying the type of a communication network accessed by the user terminal, differently setting media transmission parameters for encapsulation and packetization in accordance with the identified network type, and performing encapsulation and packetization in accordance with the set media transmission parameters.

Certain embodiments of the invention may be found in a system and/or method for zero overhead parallel entropy decoding. Exemplary aspects of the invention may comprise a decoder that comprises a demultiplexer. An encoded bit stream may be demultiplexed into a plurality of sub-streams. The encoded bit stream may be constructed without adding one or more bits to the encoded bit stream to facilitate the demultiplexing. Exemplary aspects of the invention may also comprise an encoder that comprises a multiplexer. Each of a plurality of encoded sub-streams may be multiplexed into an encoded bit stream. The encoded bit stream may be constructed without adding one or more bits to the encoded bit stream to indicate the multiplexing.

Disclosed are methods, circuits, devices, systems and associated computer executable code for transmitting video data to a client device, optionally over a wireless communication link. According to some embodiments, a video pacing agent may be integrated or otherwise functionally associated with a segment of a communication network and may regulate and/or pace video data delivery to a client device, wherein regulating and pacing may factor an estimation of a state or fullness level of a receive buffer on the client device.

Systems and methods are disclosed herein for adaptively buffering content of a media asset from a media source when a different media asset from a different media source is being played at user equipment. The media guidance application may predict when and which channel or other media source the user is likely to switch to and then buffer content from the predicted channel or other media source accordingly. The pre-tuning buffering may enhance the user experience by reduce tuning latency when the user switches channels.

A method is provided to manage playback of adaptive bitrate streaming video using using a stall time delay. The method includes pausing playback of a segment of a variant when a playback point reaches a download point, marking a stall time that marks a point in time in the segment at which playback was paused, determining a remaining playback time, determining a remaining download time, selecting an offset time, determining a wait time, determining a resume time, and waiting to resume playback at least until the download point reaches the resume time.