Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a device including a processing system including a processor and a memory that stores executable instructions that, when executed by the processing system, facilitate performance of operations, including monitoring network traffic to determine a transmission control protocol traffic pattern, determining a target video rate from the transmission control protocol traffic pattern, and modifying an over-the-top video delivery service network according to the target video rate. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Systems and methods are described for performing adaptive bitrate (ABR) streaming. A user device may request a segment of a first version of a plurality of versions of a content asset from a content provider, and may receive the segment. An estimated time to receive a second segment of a second version of the content may be determined based on metrics associated with receipt of the segment of the first version and in a manner that takes into account latency with the network, such that a determination whether to switch to a higher or lower bitrate version of a content asset during ABR streaming may be more accurately made.

Systems and methods are described for performing adaptive bitrate (ABR) streaming. A user device may request a segment of a first version of a plurality of versions of a content asset from a content provider, and may receive the segment. An estimated time to receive a second segment of a second version of the content may be determined based on metrics associated with receipt of the segment of the first version and in a manner that takes into account latency with the network, such that a determination whether to switch to a higher or lower bitrate version of a content asset during ABR streaming may be more accurately made.

The present application describes a method (400) for providing personalized audio to a user. The method (400) comprises receiving (401) a manifest file (140) for a media element from which audio is to be rendered, wherein the manifest file (140) comprises a description (141) for a plurality of different presentations (152) of audio content of the media element. In addition, the method (400) comprises selecting (402) a presentation (152) from the plurality of presentations (152) based on the manifest file (140). The method (400) further comprises receiving (403) a list of audio track objects comprised within the media element, and selecting (404) an audio track object from the list of audio track objects, in dependence of the selected presentation (152).

The present application describes a method (400) for providing personalized audio to a user. The method (400) comprises receiving (401) a manifest file (140) for a media element from which audio is to be rendered, wherein the manifest file (140) comprises a description (141) for a plurality of different presentations (152) of audio content of the media element. In addition, the method (400) comprises selecting (402) a presentation (152) from the plurality of presentations (152) based on the manifest file (140). The method (400) further comprises receiving (403) a list of audio track objects comprised within the media element, and selecting (404) an audio track object from the list of audio track objects, in dependence of the selected presentation (152).

A method for determining an initial bitrate for a communication includes receiving a communication request to establish a digital communication between a first user device and a second user device associated with a plurality of features including a geographical identifier identifying a geographical location associated with the first user device, a first network type connection associated with the first user device, a second network type connection associated with the second user device, and an average bitrate for a previous digital communication of the first user device. The method includes determining, using an initial bitrate predictor model configured to receive the plurality of features as feature inputs, an initial bitrate for the digital communication between the first user device and the second user device, and establishing the digital communication between the first user device and the second user device at the determined initial bitrate.

A method for determining an initial bitrate for a communication includes receiving a communication request to establish a digital communication between a first user device and a second user device associated with a plurality of features including a geographical identifier identifying a geographical location associated with the first user device, a first network type connection associated with the first user device, a second network type connection associated with the second user device, and an average bitrate for a previous digital communication of the first user device. The method includes determining, using an initial bitrate predictor model configured to receive the plurality of features as feature inputs, an initial bitrate for the digital communication between the first user device and the second user device, and establishing the digital communication between the first user device and the second user device at the determined initial bitrate.

A server includes: a determining unit adapted to determine a bit rate or an upper limit of the bit rate of video data generated by a user terminal of a distributor, the distributor participating in a live-stream in which a plurality of distributors are allowed to participate, the bitrate or the upper limit being determined such that the bit rate or the upper limit is lowered as a number of the distributors participating in the live-stream increases; an informing unit adapted to inform the user terminal of the distributor of the determined bit rate or upper limit over a network; and a receiving unit adapted to receive the video data from user terminals of the plurality of distributors participating in the live-stream over the network.

A server includes: a determining unit adapted to determine a bit rate or an upper limit of the bit rate of video data generated by a user terminal of a distributor, the distributor participating in a live-stream in which a plurality of distributors are allowed to participate, the bitrate or the upper limit being determined such that the bit rate or the upper limit is lowered as a number of the distributors participating in the live-stream increases; an informing unit adapted to inform the user terminal of the distributor of the determined bit rate or upper limit over a network; and a receiving unit adapted to receive the video data from user terminals of the plurality of distributors participating in the live-stream over the network.

In one example, a method performed by a processing system including at least one processor includes obtaining a first stream of audio and video data, wherein the first stream of audio and video data comprises a lower-resolution version of a second stream of audio and video data that is transmitted to a first user device over a content distribution network and encrypted using a high-bandwidth digital content protection protocol, performing an analysis technique on the first stream of audio and video data in order to extract audio and video artifacts which from which content of the first stream of audio and video data is inferred, deriving a signature marker from the audio and video artifacts, and sending the signature marker to the first user device.