The disclosed technology is directed towards a rules engine that determines whether a content asset such as a movie is allowed to be downloaded to a device, such as for offline viewing. A rules engine receives information of a request to download a content asset to a device, in which the request is associated with a user identifier and a content asset identifier. The rules engine obtains a rule identifier via the asset identifier, which is used to obtain a ruleset. The rules engine obtains user download state information associated with the user identifier, and evaluates the ruleset and the download state information to determine whether to allow the download of the content asset. A ruleset can include entries such as total downloads allowed, total downloads allowed by a studio that owns the content asset, downloaded copies of the same asset allowed (e.g., to different user devices), and the like.

Methods, systems, and media for selecting video formats for adaptive video streaming are provided. In some embodiments, the method comprises: receiving an indication of a video to be presented on a user device; identifying a group of quality metrics for each of a plurality of segments of the video, wherein each quality metric includes values for a particular segment and for a particular format of a group of available formats for the video; selecting a first format for a first segment of the video; causing the first segment of the video to be presented on the user device; identifying a quality of a network connection between the user device and a server that hosts the video; identifying a second format for a second segment of the video based on the quality of the network connection; determining whether a format of the video is to be changed from the first format to the second format based at least on the group of quality metrics for the second segment of the video; and, in response to determining that the format of the video is to be changed from the first format to the second format, causing the second segment having the second format to be presented by the user device.

In a system for broadcasting video programs to a user including a display, a system and method for providing program information or a copy of at least a portion of a program to the user. In one embodiment, a controller receives an input signal representing a request for summary information concerning a program, the program having a beginning and the input signal generated at a time during the broadcast. The controller provides via the display a summary of the program from the program beginning to the input signal time in response to the input signal. A controller may alternatively monitor a period of time during which the display is tuned to a broadcast of a program, the period starting during the broadcast. The controller is used to provide via the display a copy of at least a portion of the program when the period exceeds a predetermined threshold time.

A television receiver may present live television programming along with a sports gaming interface that indicates various betting options that are selectable by a television viewer via a remote control. The television receiver may receive a selection of a betting option presented in the sports gaming interface. A request may then be sent to a mobile device of the television viewer. The television receiver may in response to the selection, transmit a bet identifier of the selected betting option and an account identifier to the television service provider system. After a user has funded the bet and completed the transaction via a mobile device, the sports gaming interface may indicate the active bet.

Methods, systems, and media for selecting video formats for adaptive video streaming are provided. In some embodiments, the method comprises: receiving an indication of a video to be presented on a user device; identifying a group of quality metrics for each of a plurality of segments of the video, wherein each quality metric includes values for a particular segment and for a particular format of a group of available formats for the video; selecting a first format for a first segment of the video; causing the first segment of the video to be presented on the user device; identifying a quality of a network connection between the user device and a server that hosts the video; identifying a second format for a second segment of the video based on the quality of the network connection; determining whether a format of the video is to be changed from the first format to the second format based at least on the group of quality metrics for the second segment of the video; and, in response to determining that the format of the video is to be changed from the first format to the second format, causing the second segment having the second format to be presented by the user device.

The embodiments of the present disclosure provide a control method, system, device, and medium of a unified playback control system. The control method of the unified playback control system includes: receiving a template request sent by a device, then, after receiving the template request, returning a preset template to the requesting device, and managing and controlling playback of the device by means of the template. In some implementations, the device obtains a unified template of the unified playback control system, and management and control is performed by means of the preset template so as to enable a licensee EPG platform on the device to present a consistent interface style and unified management and control process.

A system and method for presenting video asset information to a viewer to assist the view in selecting a video asset for viewing is described. The video assets can be available from a plurality of different video asset sources, such as VOD (video on demand), PVR (personal video recorders) and broadcast (including over the air, cable, and satellite). Images from the video assets are displayed in a uniform manner, along with information about the video assets. The information includes data in a metadata category. The view can select one of the video assets for viewing, but also can navigate using metadata categories such as genre, actors, director etc. Moreover, the system and method includes an on-screen remote control that can be utilized in conjunction with a physical input device for navigation and viewing one or more video assets. This allows a much easier and natural navigating and selection process for viewers.

A method includes providing a variant playlist file that identifies a plurality of variant streams each corresponding to a different encoding of a same media presentation; tracking a first set of media segments encoded at a first bitrate that correspond to a first playlist file for a first variant stream associated with the variant playlist file; responsive to a second encoded bitrate associated with a second set of media segments that correspond to a second variant stream being higher than the first encoded bitrate: determining a number of media segments to include in a plurality of media segments from the second set of media segments that correspond to the first set of media segments; and providing, to the client device, a second playlist file that identifies a plurality of media segments from the second set of media segments that correspond to respective ones of the first set of media segments.

A method of requesting video is provided. The method includes: sending a first video request to a server in response to a video playing instruction, wherein, the server returns a video description information segment and a corresponding complete video according to the first video request, and the video includes a plurality of video segments, and the video description information segment is configured to describe each of the video segments; parsing the video description information segment; and playing the video in segments according to the parsed video description information segment in the process of downloading the video. The present application also provides a computing device and a computer-program product.

In some embodiments, a method receives a first set of video files at a node that delivers video files to client devices and receives a second set of video files. The second set of video files are predicted to be delivered by the node to a client device during a time period. The node receives a request for a video file from a client device and determines whether the video file is stored in the first set of video files and the second set of video files. When the video file is stored at the node, the node sends the video file from the first set of video files and the second set of video files. When the video file is not stored in the first set of video files and the second set of video files, the node sends a request for the video file to another node.