A method and apparatus may be provided for building a linear media source extension (MSE) buffer from two or more nonlinear media sources using MPD chaining. The method may include parsing at least one obtained media presentation segment (MPD), and obtain a live MPD based on the at least one URL, the live MPD comprising one or more live media segments. The method may include appending the one or more ad media segments to a first MSE source buffer based on a first timing model and chaining the one or more live media segments to the one or more ad media segments by appending the one or more live media segments to the first buffer based on a second timing model. The one or more ad media segments may be dispatched and the one or more live media segments based on the first timing model and the second timing model.

A method and devices that receive first data in a first format via a first interface using a first protocol; convert the first data into second data of a second format; output the second data in the second format to a second computing device via a second interface using a second protocol; receive third data in a third format via a third interface using a third protocol; convert the third data into fourth data of a fourth format; and output the fourth data in the fourth format to a third computing device via the second interface using a fourth protocol.

The present invention provides an apparatus for receiving a broadcast content via one or more networks. The apparatus comprises a broadcast network interface for receiving broadcast streams including first protocol packets including first portions of the broadcast content via a broadcast network, a heterogeneity network interface for receiving second protocol packets including a second portion of the broadcast content via a heterogeneity network, and a processor for configuring the broadcast content using the first protocol packets and the second protocol packets based on information included in the third protocol packets.

Non-multimedia information may be produced from devices such as alarms, appliances, automobiles, building systems, weather stations, home automation systems, and the like. A method and devices communicate non-multimedia content via a standardized network architecture. Non-multimedia data is received from a remote device with a standardized network aliasing device. The standardized network aliasing device is able to communicate on a network that conforms, for example, to a Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) protocol. The non-multimedia data is formatted with the standardized network aliasing device into a standardized-format file. The standardized-format file conforms to a selected media class. The standardized-format file is exposed on the network that conforms to the DLNA protocol and communicated to a remote DLNA-enabled device that is also coupled to the network that conforms to the DLNA protocol.

A method for transmitting a broadcast signal in a digital transmitter, includes generating, by a processor, service data of a broadcast service and service signaling information for signaling the service data, the service data including first service components delivered on a Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) Media Transport Protocol (MMTP) session or second service components delivered on a Real-Time Object Delivery over Unidirectional Transport (ROUTE) session; generating, by the processor, a service list table including bootstrap information and protocol information for a type of delivery protocol of the service signaling information, wherein the protocol information for the type of delivery protocol of the service signaling information relates to the MMTP or the ROUTE; generating, by the processor, a broadcast signal including the service signaling information, the service list table, and the first or second service components; and transmitting, by a broadcasting antenna, the generated broadcast signal.

Apparatus and methods for the storage and delivery of content over a network. In one embodiment, the network comprises a managed content distribution network, and the apparatus comprises a cloud digital video recorder (cDVR) server which stores, processes and assembles content prior to its delivery in a way that obviates superfluous storage, and gains significant network efficiencies. This approach also facilitates various pre-streaming processing in the video recording (e.g., cDVR) system. One or more content libraries adapted to facilitate cDVR content assembly and access are also disclosed. Secondary content (e.g., promotions, advertisements, etc.) can also be selectively inserted into cDVR content. Various access, business or operational rules and methods implementing the foregoing are also described.

A method for transmitting a broadcast signal, includes generating, by a processor, service data of a broadcast service and service signaling information for signaling the service data, the service data including first service components delivered on a Movie Picture Experts Group (MPEG) Media Transport Protocol (MMTP) session or second service components delivered on a Real-Time Object Delivery over Unidirectional Transport (ROUTE) session, generating, by the processor, a service list table including bootstrap information and protocol information for a type of delivery protocol of the service signaling information, wherein the bootstrap information changes based on the protocol information, generating, by the processor, a broadcast signal including the service signaling information, the service list table, the first or second service component, and transmitting, by a broadcasting antenna, the generated broadcast signal.

A method for transmitting a broadcast signal in a digital transmitter, includes generating, by a processor, service data of a broadcast service and service signaling information for signaling the service data, the service data including first service components delivered on a Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) Media Transport Protocol (MMTP) session or second service components delivered on a Real-Time Object Delivery over Unidirectional Transport (ROUTE) session; generating, by the processor, a service list table including bootstrap information and protocol information for a type of delivery protocol of the service signaling information, wherein the protocol information for the type of delivery protocol of the service signaling information relates to the MMTP or the ROUTE; generating, by the processor, a broadcast signal including the service signaling information, the service list table, and the first or second service components; and transmitting, by a broadcasting antenna, the generated broadcast signal.

A transmitting apparatus generates an audiovisual content item data stream (e.g. transport stream) comprising a plurality of individual audiovisual data streams with audiovisual components for the content item. A generator (301-307) generates a first stream comprising both mandatory audio data and replaceable audio data for the audio representation where the replaceable audio data being data can be replaced by alternative audio data. A combiner (309) includes the resulting stream into the content item data stream. A receiving apparatus includes an extractor (403) which extracts the mandatory audio data from the received stream. A replacer (415) may replace the replaceable audio data by alternative audio data and an output (415) can generate an audio signal from the mandatory and alternative audio data. The approach may specifically provide an improved and more flexible data stream for audiovisual content.

Apparatus and methods for the storage and delivery of content over a network. In one embodiment, the network comprises a managed content distribution network, and the apparatus comprises a cloud digital video recorder (cDVR) server which stores, processes and assembles content prior to its delivery in a way that obviates superfluous storage, and gains significant network efficiencies. This approach also facilitates various pre-streaming processing in the video recording (e.g., cDVR) system. One or more content libraries adapted to facilitate cDVR content assembly and access are also disclosed. Secondary content (e.g., promotions, advertisements, etc.) can also be selectively inserted into cDVR content. Various access, business or operational rules and methods implementing the foregoing are also described.