Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method, including, for each configuration of a client device of a media content service, accessing a headend of the media content service, and for each media content item of a plurality of media content items accessible via the headend of the media content service, receiving a media content identifier associated with the media content item, sending the media content identifier to an advertising server, receiving, from the advertising server, a set of advertising items associated with the media content identifier, where each advertising item of the set of advertising items includes advertising locator information, and aggregating the set of advertising locator information associated with the media content identifier to generate a plurality of advertising locators associated with the plurality of media content items, and, in turn, storing the plurality of advertising locators associated with the plurality of media content items accessible via the headend of the media content service according to the configuration of the client device as a manifest of advertising items for the configuration of the client device. Other embodiments are disclosed.

In one example, the present disclosure describes a device, computer-readable medium, and method for improving media quality at the network edge by encoding the media into a digital stream that is carried, end-to-end, to a peer edge device. For instance, in one example, a method includes initiating, by a first computing device, a connection to a second computing device, selecting, by the first computing device, a codec for encoding data into a data stream, wherein the codec is selected such that the data stream can be decoded by the second computing device without being transcoded by an intermediary, encoding, by the first computing device, the data into the data stream using the codec, and sending, by the first computing device, the data stream to the second computing device.

A service gateway provides a proxy between a client protocol and a plurality of standard communication protocols. The service gateway provides asymmetrical routing, data compression and encryption to optimize client processing power and communication link bandwidth. The service gateway enables content translation between clients and service providers. The service gateway keeps track of client available memory and sequence numbers in messages to generate error codes when applicable. A store and forward message capability is provided along with abstract session identifiers. The service gateway supports user datagram protocol.

Various embodiments include computing devices and methods for provisioning a set top box (STB) with a software stack. A processor of a computing device may receive a software stack download request comprising downstream channel descriptor (DCD) information, determine region information for the STB based on the DCD information, determine a software stack authorization for the STB, select a software stack for the STB based on the region information and the software stack authorization for the STB, and obtain the selected software stack to enable the STB to replace existing software with the selected software stack.

A set of media playback and device settings data from each home appliance of a first set of home appliances is stored on a central server and/or sent to a remote control device upon initiation of a suspend command by a user. The stored media and devices states may be used at a later time to control the first set of home appliances, or a user may, after relocating to a second set of home appliances, initiate a resume state command whereupon media playback and device settings data from the central server and/or remote control device controls each home appliance in the second set of home appliances to bring about the same or substantially similar media and device states as in the first set of home appliances.

An automated network-based test system for set top box devices is disclosed. According to certain embodiments, the network-based testing system using Simple Network Management Protocol facilitates remote testing of thousands of set-top boxes, where groups of these set top boxes can be located in various locations that are remote from a main controller server that is running the tests remotely.

Provided are a method and an apparatus for playing an online television program. The method includes: a television obtaining a link address of a multimedia resource and determining whether having an online player capable of playing the multimedia resource; the television establishing a connection with a server based on a determination that the television does not have the online player capable of playing the multimedia resource; and the television sending the link of the multimedia resource to the server, such that the server transcodes the multimedia resource according to the link of the multimedia resource.

Methods and apparatus for selecting digital access technology for programming and data delivery over, e.g., a network. In one embodiment, the network comprises an HFC cable or satellite network that includes a server process interfacing with a plurality of customer premises equipment (CPE), and/or associated client devices, each having different capabilities profiles. The server determines one or more capabilities possessed by the CPE, and evaluates one or more program or content choices for possible delivery to that CPE based on its profile. The server generates a list of programs or content based on this evaluation, and transmits this list to the CPE, which displays the list for viewing by a user. The user is therefore offered a list of available content that is compatible with their specific configuration. A business and operational rules engine is also optionally employed to control the operation of the foregoing processes to accomplish particular business, or operational goals.

In one embodiment, a method is disclosed for providing UGC to a media production or broadcast destination for potential inclusion in a broadcast or other media distribution. Video processing parameters of the destination are provided. An application is customized using the parameters to provide a customized application without requiring any additional development for the customization. A token and a link are then transmitted to the destination. The destination accesses the link, and the customized application is downloaded along with an API to the destination. The customized application periodically polls the API for UGC and associated metadata. It then, guided by the parameters, facilitates the ingestion of the media and metadata in the proper format into the appropriate place within the downstream broadcast or media production system.

In one example, the present disclosure describes a device, computer-readable medium, and method for improving media quality at the network edge by encoding the media into a digital stream that is carried, end-to-end, to a peer edge device. For instance, in one example, a method includes initiating, by a first computing device, a connection to a second computing device, selecting, by the first computing device, a codec for encoding data into a data stream, wherein the codec is selected such that the data stream can be decoded by the second computing device without being transcoded by an intermediary, encoding, by the first computing device, the data into the data stream using the codec, and sending, by the first computing device, the data stream to the second computing device.