For delivering an audio and/or video content using adaptive streaming from a cache server to a client device, the audio and/or video content being segmented into data segments available in various representations with respective audio and/or video qualities, the representations being time-aligned per segment, the segments being further divided into chunks, a method includes: obtaining a round-trip time value applicable between the cache server and the client device; computing a minimum bulk transfer size from the maximum average bitrate of the various representations of the audio and/or video content and from the obtained round-trip time value; computing a minimum bulk duration, with respect to the audio and/or video content, for the representation to be delivered to the client device; and delivering the audio and/or video content by burst transfers in the form of bulks of aggregated successive chunks for each segment in accordance with the computed minimum bulk duration.

For delivering an audio and/or video content using adaptive streaming from a cache server to a client device, the audio and/or video content being segmented into data segments available in various representations with respective audio and/or video qualities, the representations being time-aligned per segment, the segments being further divided into chunks, a method includes: obtaining a round-trip time value applicable between the cache server and the client device; computing a minimum bulk transfer size from the maximum average bitrate of the various representations of the audio and/or video content and from the obtained round-trip time value; computing a minimum bulk duration, with respect to the audio and/or video content, for the representation to be delivered to the client device; and delivering the audio and/or video content by burst transfers in the form of bulks of aggregated successive chunks for each segment in accordance with the computed minimum bulk duration.

Techniques are disclosed relating to encoding recorded content for distribution to other computing devices. In some embodiments, a first computing device creates recorded content for transmission to a second computing device configured to present the recorded content. To encode the recorded content, the first computing device detects, via a network interface of the first computing device, one or more computing nodes available to encode the recorded content in one or more formats supported by the second computing device. The first computing device offloads the recorded content via the network interface to the one or more computing nodes for encoding in the one or more formats. In some embodiments, the second computing device receives a request from a user to stream content recorded by a first computing device and requests the content in a first format being encoded by a computing node assisting the first computing device.

A method is provided that includes setting, by a controller, a first bit-rate level for a next video segment, and comparing a fill level of a playback buffer to a first threshold. If the fill level of the playback buffer satisfies the first threshold, the first bit-rate level for the next video segment is replaced by setting a second bit-rate level for the next video. A first request is issued to a server for the next video segment encoded at the first bit-rate level or, if the fill level of the playback buffer satisfies the first threshold, encoded at the second bit-rate level and downloading of the requested next video segment and storing the requested video segment in the playback buffer. A decoder decodes the next video segment from the playback buffer for playback on a display device after the next video segment has been downloaded and stored in the playback buffer.

A system and method for improving media delivery and display. By utilizing a memory buffer in a DVR or similar device, and broadcasting linear content at a rate other than 1×, services like video on demand or regular broadcasters can be more versatile. For example, viewers can start over without launching a separate VOD session. If part of the linear content requested is not in the buffer, a switched multicast stream can be sent with the proper section of content. Other receivers on the network may also receive the stream and buffer the content if the content is related to what a viewer is viewing.

A system and method for improving media delivery and display. By utilizing a memory buffer in a DVR or similar device, and broadcasting linear content at a rate other than 1×, services like video on demand or regular broadcasters can be more versatile. For example, viewers can start over without launching a separate VOD session. If part of the linear content requested is not in the buffer, a switched multicast stream can be sent with the proper section of content. Other receivers on the network may also receive the stream and buffer the content if the content is related to what a viewer is viewing.

A system and method for effectuating fast channel change in an adaptive streaming environment. A plurality of adjacent channels may be predicted relative to a current streaming channel engaged by a client device. Upon prioritizing the adjacent channels, the client device may be configured to pre-fetch metadata and initialization information for a subset of the prioritized adjacent channels based on bandwidth conditions, video player buffer status, etc. When a channel is changed, the client device is operative to use the pre-fetched data to quickly obtain encoded media content at a select bitrate for rendering.

A system and method for effectuating fast channel change in an adaptive streaming environment. A plurality of adjacent channels may be predicted relative to a current streaming channel engaged by a client device. Upon prioritizing the adjacent channels, the client device may be configured to pre-fetch metadata and initialization information for a subset of the prioritized adjacent channels based on bandwidth conditions, video player buffer status, etc. When a channel is changed, the client device is operative to use the pre-fetched data to quickly obtain encoded media content at a select bitrate for rendering.

A method of controlling, from a user device, a manner in which program content is received from a content server. The method includes: transmitting, from the user device, at least one transmission-quality-of-service (TXQ) parameter to the content server, wherein the at least one TXQ parameter updates a default TXQ parameter at the content server; and in response to transmitting the at least one TXQ parameter, receiving new program content in accordance with the at least one TXQ parameter.

A method of controlling, from a user device, a manner in which program content is received from a content server. The method includes: transmitting, from the user device, at least one transmission-quality-of-service (TXQ) parameter to the content server, wherein the at least one TXQ parameter updates a default TXQ parameter at the content server; and in response to transmitting the at least one TXQ parameter, receiving new program content in accordance with the at least one TXQ parameter.