A method for displaying media content on devices respectively linked to media players from a group of media players. The method includes the acts of: transmitting to the media players configuration data including data; transmitting data corresponding to the media content to at least one of the media players; transmitting to the media players data corresponding to a multicast address and to an entry port; selecting by the server a master media player among the at least one media player which received the data corresponding to the media content; sending by the master media player a multicast media stream using the multicast address and the entry port, the multicast media stream being obtained by the master media player from the data corresponding to the media content.

Data is received from a plurality of sources. The data is transmitted to a plurality of sinks via a plurality of networks including at least one external network. A latency adjustment value is transmitted to a latency agent that adjusts latency introduced by the external network.

An electronic device generates a respective user queue for each user of a plurality of users participating in a shared listening session. While providing a first media content item for playback, the device receives a second request, from a first user, to add a second media content item to the shared playback queue and updates the respective user queue for the first user. After receiving the second request, the electronic device receives a third request, from a second user, to add a third media content item to the shared playback queue and updates the respective user queue for the second user. The electronic device updates the shared playback queue using the respective user queues of the first user and the second user, including positioning the third media content item in an order of the shared playback queue to be played back before the second media content item.

Initial synchronization is achieved without depending on fluctuations of a transmission packet transfer delay time in a network.

An IP packet having a multiplexed transport packet containing media data is received via a network. The IP packet is processed, and media presentation by the media data is controlled. A presentation timing is controlled on the basis of a network delay time in communication between a transmission side and a reception apparatus via the network. For example, the multiplexed transport packet is a TS packet making up an MPEG-2 transport stream.

An example computing device is configured to determine (i) a future start time of an upcoming live media event and (ii) a uniform resource indicator (URI) at which a live media stream of the live media event will be accessible at the future start time. The computing device displays, via the graphical user interface, a notification identifying the upcoming live media event, and the computing device receives, via the graphical user interface, (i) a first selection of the displayed notification and (ii) a second selection of a plurality of playback devices of a media playback system. Based on the first and second selections, the computing device causes, at the start time of the live media event, at least one of the plurality of playback devices to access the live media stream at the URI for synchronous playback by the plurality of playback devices.

Techniques described herein may involve modification of playback based on the proximity of a user to a playback device. An example technique involves a device determining that a listener is within a given proximity of a first playback device and based on determining that the listener is within the given proximity of the first playback device, causing the first playback device to begin playback of first media and causing a second playback device to modify playback of second media.

Control techniques are disclosed for devices that are members of ad hoc rendering networks. A first network device may receive a data record representing state of the network. The data record may contain data identifying device(s) that are members of the network, any grouping(s) of the device(s) defined for the network, and a play state of the device(s). When the first network device receives the data record, it may store the data record locally at the first player device. The first player device may determine whether the data record possesses a command altering a play state of a device. If so and if the command is addressed to the first player device, the first player device may execute the command at the first player device. The data record may be relayed among all devices in the ad hoc rendering network, and each device may perform this same process. In this manner, state updates propagate to all devices that are members of the rendering network, and all such devices store state data of all other devices.

A video receiver apparatus, for receiving video from a video transmitter apparatus, comprises: a memory portion for memorizing receiver apparatus information of the video receiver apparatus; and a transmitter/receiver portion for receiving a request for obtaining the receiver apparatus information transmitted from the video transmitter apparatus, and also for transmitting the receiver apparatus information memorized in the memory portion responding to the obtaining request, and wherein, further within the memory portion is memorized history information, changing depending on alternation of the receiver apparatus information, and wherein the receiver portion is able to receive the history information, which the video transmitter apparatus holds therein, as well as, the obtaining request from the video transmitter, and when the received history information from the video transmitter apparatus and the history information, which the video transmitter apparatus holds therein, are inconsistent with each other, then the receiver apparatus information memorized in the memory portion is transmitted to the video transmitter apparatus.

Provided herein are various embodiments for synchronizing playback of audio and video. An embodiment operates by determining that a first quality video is being received at a media device. It is determined that a buffer of the media device is not large enough to buffer the first quality video long enough to synchronize an output of the high quality video with the output of the audio by one or more wireless speakers. A second quality of the video that the buffer can hold long enough to synchronize is identified, wherein the second quality of the video is lower than the first quality of the video. The media device outputs the video at the second quality and the corresponding audio to the one or more wireless speakers.

An apparatus and method for transmitting multiple on-demand audio streams locally to web-enabled user devices. Primarily usable for local audio acquisition and instant redistribution in conference halls with translation booths and stadiums with commentators, the technology is scalable and can be tailored to suit any local acquisition and distribution of both digital and analog audio signals. The technology is reliant on the local network configuration and wireless coverage.