Systems and methods for dynamically adapting quality levels of content is disclosed herein. A content transmission system determines whether to reduce streaming bandwidth of a device that transmits content. In response to determining to reduce the streaming bandwidth, the content transmission system identifies a first plurality of frames of the content based on a first context and a second plurality of frames of the content based on a second context. The content transmission system transmits the first plurality of frames at a first quality level based on the first context and the second plurality of frames at a second quality level that is higher than the first quality level based on the second context.

Methods and systems for saving resources when outputting a media asset such as a video are provided. The media asset is split into a first portion with a first importance and a second portion with the second importance. The first portion is displayed with a first set of output parameters (e.g., resolution, bit rate, frame rate, display size) and the second portion is displayed with a second set of output parameters that correspond to a lower quality than the first set of output parameters (e.g., a lower resolution, a lower bit rate, a lower frame rate, a lower display size).

Systems and methods for distributing network traffic during streaming are hereby provided. A server can provide a first content pod to a client device for insertion in a content break separating a first portion and a second portion of the streaming content. The server can receive, from the client device during playback of the first content pod, a request for content to insert into the content break for playback subsequent to playback of the first content pod. The request for content can be generated at a first elapsed time from initiation of playback of the first content pod via a request generation policy. The server can select a second content pod. The server can provide the second content pod to the client device during the playback of the first content pod for playback subsequent to completion of the playback of the first content pod.

According to an aspect, there is provided a network node for performing video on demand equalization. Upon receiving downlink traffic to be transmitted to one or more terminal devices, the network node detects a VOD stream from the downlink traffic. The network node determines the number of VOD streams handled by the cell and a first traffic load and compares the number of the VOD streams and the first traffic load to a first and a second threshold. In response to the number of the VOD streams being above the first threshold or the first traffic load being above the second threshold, the network node selects a terminal device associated with one of the VOD streams, selects a target cell from available cells and schedules the terminal device to use the target cell for said one of the VOD streams.

A method of transitioning between a first virtual reality view and a second virtual reality view within media content of a virtual reality environment is described. The method comprises: sending the first virtual reality view containing the media content to a virtual reality device over a first network path; determining a second, different, virtual reality view containing media content; sending at least a section of the second virtual reality view to the virtual reality device over a second network path, the latency of the second network path being less than the latency of the first network path.

When a device is playing out a first media stream, the device determines a target time for beginning playout of a second media stream in place of the first media stream. The device then starts a stream-transition process that is expected to take anywhere from a minimum expected transition duration to a maximum expected transition duration, and the device starts the transition process in advance of the determined target time by the maximum expected transition duration, to help ensure timely starting of playout of the second media stream. Further, for an uncertainty period that extends from the minimum expected transition duration after the starting to the maximum expected transition duration after the starting, the device generates and plays a sequence of transition frames to help mask transition from the first media stream to the second media stream.

Methods and apparatus for optimizing the distribution and delivery of multimedia or other content within a content-based network. In one embodiment, the network comprises a broadcast switched cable television network, which utilizes a Network optimization controller (NOC) that processes subscriber program viewing requests to identify options available to fulfill the request (including, e.g., the creation of one or more “microcasts” specifically targeting one or more users), and evaluate these options to determine one that optimizes network operation. The NOC performs these decisions by considering various parameters including network resource availability, type of CPE, subscriber's targeted advertisement profile, and business rules programmed by operator of the network.

The present technology relates to a transmission device, a receiving device, and a data processing method that enable bandwidth control over PLPs when one frequency band includes the plurality of PLPs. The transmission device determines the number of cells of a component to be transmitted by each of PLPs such that the number of cells in an entire physical layer frame including the plurality of PLPs matches a sum of the number of cells of the plurality of PLPs, and transmits a broadcast stream including the physical layer frame. The present technology can be applied to, for example, a system for transmitting a broadcast stream including a physical layer frame including a plurality of PLPs.

Systems and methods are described for a media guidance application (e.g., implemented on a user device) that dynamically adapts network performance parameters for applications based on their respective usage likelihoods.

A device, system and method are provided that may allot and manage bandwidth, such as bandwidth associated with broadcast and narrowcast distribution models for content item transmission, for example, in a content distribution network. The device, system and method may manage transmission based on the output information of the content items.