Systems and methods, to efficiently prepare for live and stored file content, implement one or more warm inputs, which actively ingest and demux content, but do not actively decode the content until an input switch is commanded. Each warm input can cache a most recent instantaneous decoder refresh and subsequent reference frames (I-frames and P-frames). Upon an input switch being commanded, the subject input commences decoding of such preserved frames. The formerly-warm input then acts as a hot input (decoding every frame) until the input switch completes. The use of warm inputs, which avoid the decoding stage, reduces computational resource use, allows preparation of all inputs by default, and permits metrics, status reports, and thumbnails to be generated regarding non-active inputs.

Systems and methods for interaction of satellite and Internet protocol features in content delivery systems are presented. Using such systems and methods, the delivery of some content to the same product by Satellite delivery, other content by IP delivery, and still other content by both Satellite and IP delivery can enhance the utility of both the content and the product for an end user and can further optimize the costs and quality of service associated with delivering the content. A method of providing content and data to a combined satellite and IP network receiver is presented, including broadcasting via satellite content and data to the receiver, and sending via an IP based communications network content and data to the receiver, where the content and data provided over the Satellite broadcast enables capabilities of the receiver needed to consume content received by IP delivery, and the content and data provided via IP delivery enables capabilities of the receiver needed to consume content received from the satellite broadcast.

A method of managing the flow of data through a video decoder is described. The method includes receiving a stream of video data including compressed video frames organized in groups-of-pictures (GOP). A GOP typically includes one intra-frame coded image and a plurality of inter-frame coded images. Data included in received GOPs as uniquely identified GOP data blocks with uniquely identified compressed video frames are entered in a pre-decode cache module and they are selected, based on a current playback status, to be appended to a decode queue for GOP data blocks that will be delivered as input to a video decoder (106). Output data from the decoder (106) is delivered as decoded video frames to a post-decode cache module (303). Also described is a video decoder and a software program product.

Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for managing presentation of stream portions are disclosed. The systems and methods may involve receiving a first list of stream portions; determining a first set of high-priority stream portions; retrieving at least one portion of the first set of high-priority stream portions; storing the retrieved portion of the first set of high-priority stream portions; receiving a second list of stream portions; determining a second set of high-priority stream portions; determining whether any stream portions in the stored portion of the first set of high-priority stream portions are not in the second set of high-priority stream portions; deleting from the memory any stream portions in the stored portion of the first set of high-priority stream portions that are not in the second set of high-priority stream portions; and determining whether any stream portions in the second set of high-priority stream portions are not stored in memory.

In general, in an aspect, second look advertising is enabled. During an original advertisement selection process at a network infrastructure, original-selection advertisements are selected for play back with a streaming format video on a viewer device. After the original advertisement selection process, the streaming format video is presented on the viewer device together with advertisements that are provided by a helper process and can include the original-selection advertisements or other advertisements or both.

A method for communicating a playback order for a plurality of media content items to a user device operating in an online mode, the method performed at a server system and comprising receiving an indication that the user device will enter an offline mode, generating a playback order for the plurality of media content items, and transmitting the generated playback order to the user device before the user device enters the offline mode.

Advertisements in broadcast television programming are digitally replaced with different ads prior to viewing. Replacement can occur in time and/or place shifted content, and can be used to promote a particular advertisement that the viewer has not yet seen, thereby improving the reach of the ad without oversaturation. Data reporting by the playback devices is collected in a database of viewed ads. The information in the database can be used to refresh previously-viewed ads, to increase saturation of particular ads, to replace previously-broadcast but no longer relevant ads, or for other purposes as desired.

Methods and systems that facilitate the downloading of media items to a first network device from a second network device are disclosed. A plurality of media items are identified Media item metadata associated with the plurality of media items is obtained from the second network device and stored on the first network device. Media item content data associate with a first subset of the plurality of media items is obtained from the second network device and stored on the first network device. In this manner, only media item metadata associate with a second subset of the plurality of media items is stored on the first network device.

Methods and apparatuses to deliver at least a portion of an advertisement to a viewer at normal playback speeds after receiving a command from the viewer to fast-forward through an advertisement faster than normal playback speeds are described. In one example, a portion of the advertisement may be delivered to be played at normal playback speeds, and the remaining portion may be delivered to be played at a playback speed that is faster than the specified playback speed so that the combination of the portions delivered at normal and faster playback speeds is delivered to the user at the specified playback speed. In another example, at least a portion of the first advertisement may be delivered at normal playback speeds, and one or more other advertisements may be delivered to the viewer simultaneously with the first advertisement with the audio information muted based on the specified playback speed.

A method and computer readable medium for exploring similar users and items of a media service includes generating a user interface. The user interface displays a user selectable indicia representing a similar member function for allowing a user to search a media service for at least one other user. The one other user has a degree of similarity with respect to the searching user. Another method includes facilitating the search of such a similar user within a media service.