Systems and methods are configured to provide alternate content during video streaming. Content made up of a plurality of blocks is streamed over a first video stream to a user computing device via a first URI. While streaming, a determination is made that alternate content is available. In response, a signaling mechanism is provided indicating such and a request for the alternate content is received. As a result, a particular block that is currently being provided over the first video stream is suspended and the alternate content is streamed to the user computing entity over a second video stream. Depending on the embodiment, the second video stream may be accessed by re-activating the first URI or by activating a second URI. Upon completion of the alternate content, the particular block that was suspended can be resumed to facilitate continued streaming of the content over the first or second video stream.

A method includes transmitting a low-resolution stream, buffering a high-resolution stream in a buffer memory, receiving a request for a high-resolution media item, retrieving the high-resolution media item from the buffer memory based on the frame numbers, and transmitting the high-resolution media item. The request includes one or more frame numbers based on the low-resolution stream.

Disclosed are methods and systems for controlling the playback and recording of television programming containing interactive applications. In one example, a media content item is played for presentation to the user. An interactive application associated with the media content item is available for interaction by a user during the playing of the media content item. During the playing of the media content item, a first indication that the user is interacting with the interactive application is received. In response to the first indication, the playing of the media content item is suspended. During the suspending of the playing of the media content item, a second indication that the user has stopped interacting with the interactive application is received. In response to the second indication, the playing of the media content item is resumed.

Three dimension (3D) model generation systems and methods are operable to generate 3D model data corresponding to images of a physical object of interest that are viewed in a presenting media content event. An exemplary embodiment receives a user request that is associated with an interest by the user to obtain a 3D model of a physical object of interest that is being shown in a scene of a currently presenting media content event. A plurality of video image frames are selected from the scene. Then, 3D model data of the physical object of interest is generated based on at least the selected video image frames of the scene.

A audio playback control method includes: triggering switching audio of media content played on a terminal to a first audio playback device for playback in response to a distance between the terminal and the first audio playback device reaching a communicable distance for near field communication during a process of playing the media content on the terminal; and switching the audio of the media content played on the first audio playback device to a second audio playback device for playback in response to the second audio playback device being triggered to play the media content during a process of playing the media content on the first audio playback device.

Methods and apparatus that support implementing a pause, e.g., of a broadcast, on a device, recording the paused program and resuming playback of the paused program on a device associated with a user's account, are described. The pause function allows a user to pause a broadcast on a device and initiate recording of the paused program, e.g., to network storage. The pause initiating device displays a pause indicator indicating that the program output has been paused. A user logging into the user's account from a device other than the device from which the pause was initiated is presented an opportunity to resume the paused playback. Playback is resumed from the pause point on the playback device from which a resume signal is received. Upon resumption of playback on a device other than the device from which the pause was initiated, the pause indicator on the pause initiating device is removed.

One variation of a method for serving interactive ad content includes, in response to a pause event that pauses playback of a digital video, viewed on a display of a streaming device accessed by a user: overlaying the digital video with a home screen including an image player and a set of icons linked to a set of video advertisements; in response to a first user input proximal an icon, in the set of icons, corresponding to a video advertisement, in the set of video advertisements, reconfiguring the image player and initiating playback of the video advertisement within the image player; during playback of the video advertisement, in response to a second user input proximal the icon, expanding the image player and activating an audio stream of the video advertisement; and, in response to a user input that resumes playback of the digital video, pausing playback of the video advertisement.

Systems and methods are described to enhance interactive engagement during simultaneous delivery of serial or digital content (e.g., audio, video) to a plurality of users. A machine-based awareness of the context of the content and/or one or more user reactions to the presentation of the content may be used as a basis to interrupt content delivery in order to intersperse a snippet that includes a virtual agent with an awareness of the context(s) of the content and/or the one or more user reactions. This “contextual virtual agent” (CVA) enacts actions and/or dialog based on the one or more machine-classified contexts coupled with identified interests and/or aspirations of individuals within the group of users. The CVA may also base its activities on a machine-based awareness of “future” content that has not yet been delivered to the group, but classified by natural language and/or computer vision processing. Interrupting the delivery of content substantially simultaneously to a group of users and initiating dialog regarding content by a CVA enhances opportunities for users to engage with each other about their shared interactive experience.

Systems and methods are described herein for selecting content providers based on performance scores of the respective content providers. The system monitors the performance of a content provider, where the performance is based on the quality of service for receiving a media content item from the content provider. Based on the monitored performance, the system may determine if an adequate performance is not achievable. In response to determining that an adequate performance is not achievable, the system compares the performance of the content provider to the performance of a second content provider and provides, on the user device, the media content item from the second content provider.

A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a media content processor having a controller adapted to detect an event associated with recorded media content derived from one among a plurality of media content sources, select a communication device of a subscriber of the media content processor, retrieve a portion of the recorded media content, generate a notice describing the event, and transmit the notice with the portion of the recorded media content to the communication device. Other embodiments are disclosed.