This application discloses a video playing method, apparatus, and system, and a computer storage medium, which belongs to the field of video processing technologies. In this application, after receiving the rotation fragment, the terminal decodes the rotation fragment, so that surround playing of a video picture can be implemented, and resolution of a played video picture can be the same as resolution of the video picture in the rotation fragment. This application is not limited by a quantity of cameras used for front-end shooting, and is widely applied.

Mechanisms provide intermediate key frame animation during a media seek. A streaming server receives a seek request from a client device while the streaming server provides the client device with a media stream. The seek request is made when the media stream is playing at an initial location and the seek request includes a request to play the media stream from a seek location. In some embodiments, intermediate key frames before the seek location are identified. In other instances, intermediate key frames between the initial location and the seek location are identified. These intermediate key frames are provided to the client device for display before the media stream begins playing at the seek location.

Mechanisms provide intermediate key frame animation during a media seek. A streaming server receives a seek request from a client device while the streaming server provides the client device with a media stream. The seek request is made when the media stream is playing at an initial location and the seek request includes a request to play the media stream from a seek location. In some embodiments, intermediate key frames before the seek location are identified. In other instances, intermediate key frames between the initial location and the seek location are identified. These intermediate key frames are provided to the client device for display before the media stream begins playing at the seek location.

A media device and methods that identify playback states reachable from a current content playback state and identify a reachable state that is likely to occur, are disclosed. A memory associated with the media device may receive frames that enable a smooth transition between the playback state and the reachable state. The media device may receive frames that correspond to points in the content that are separated by an amount of time that is proportional to the playback rate of the likely state. The frames may be frames corresponding to an image that may be played back at the playback rate of the likely state.

A media device and methods that identify playback states reachable from a current content playback state and identify a reachable state that is likely to occur, are disclosed. A memory associated with the media device may receive frames that enable a smooth transition between the playback state and the reachable state. The media device may receive frames that correspond to points in the content that are separated by an amount of time that is proportional to the playback rate of the likely state. The frames may be frames corresponding to an image that may be played back at the playback rate of the likely state.

A transmitting device (30, 30a) is configured to transmit, to a receiving device (40, 40a), a plurality of video signals captured from different positions, the plurality of video signals being grouped by a plurality of groups depending on imaging positions at which the video signals are captured. The transmitting device (30, 30a) comprises: a controller (32) configured to assign an ID for identifying each of the plurality of groups; and a communication interface (37) configured to transmit a video signal to which the ID is assigned, to the receiving device (40, 40a).

A method performed by an electronic device for requesting tiles relating to a viewport of an ongoing omnidirectional video stream is provided. The ongoing omnidirectional video stream is provided by a server to be displayed to a user of the electronic device. The electronic device predicts for an impending time period, a future head gaze of the user in relation to a current head gaze of the user, based on: A current head gaze relative to a position of shoulders of the user, a limitation of the head gaze of the user bounded by the shoulders position of the user, and a current eye gaze and eye movements of the user. The electronic device then sends a request to the server. The request requests tiles relating to the viewport for the impending time period, selected based on the predicted future head gaze of the user.

The embodiments relate to a method including generating a bitstream defining a presentation including an omnidirectional visual media content; encoding into the bitstream a parameter to indicate viewport-control options for viewing the presentation, wherein the viewport-control options includes options controllable by a receiving device and options not-controllable by the receiving device and sending the bitstream to the receiver device; receiving one of the indicated viewport-control options from the receiver device as a response; streaming the presentation to the receiver device; when the response has included an indication on a viewport-control controllable by the receiving device, the method also includes receiving information on viewport definitions from the receiver device during streaming of the presentation and adapting the presentation accordingly; when the response has included an indication on a viewport-control not- controllable by the receiving device, the presentation is streamed to the receiver device according to the viewport-control specified in the response.

The embodiments relate to a method including generating a bitstream defining a presentation including an omnidirectional visual media content; encoding into the bitstream a parameter to indicate viewport-control options for viewing the presentation, wherein the viewport-control options includes options controllable by a receiving device and options not-controllable by the receiving device and sending the bitstream to the receiver device; receiving one of the indicated viewport-control options from the receiver device as a response; streaming the presentation to the receiver device; when the response has included an indication on a viewport-control controllable by the receiving device, the method also includes receiving information on viewport definitions from the receiver device during streaming of the presentation and adapting the presentation accordingly; when the response has included an indication on a viewport-control not- controllable by the receiving device, the presentation is streamed to the receiver device according to the viewport-control specified in the response.

Methods and systems are described for identifying and adapting the playback speed of content to be provided during an activity. The methods and systems receive an input including a start cue indicating a start of an activity and access an average duration and an intensity score for the activity. Then the system calculates an adjusted average runtime for the activity based on the average duration and the intensity score and identifies one or more content items, the one or more content items having a total runtime equivalent to the adjusted average runtime for the activity. The system adjusts the playback speed of the identified one or more content items such that the total runtime of playback of the one or more content items matches the average duration for the activity and provides the one or more content items for consumption.