Abstract:
Systems and methods for automatically generating top level index files for use in adaptive bitrate streaming in accordance with embodiments of the invention are dislosed. One embodiment of the method of the invention includes receiving a request from a playback device at a playback server, where the request identifies a piece of content, retrieving a list of assets associated with the identified piece of content using the playback server, filtering the list of assets using at least one predetermined criterion using the playback server, generating a top level index file describing each asset in the filtered list of assets using the playback server, and sending the top level index file to the playback device using the playback server.
Abstract:
Systems and methods for determining available bandwidth and performing initial stream selection when commencing adaptive bitrate streaming using Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. One embodiment of the invention includes measuring network bandwidth using a playback device, determining an initial network bandwidth estimate using the network bandwidth measurements, selecting an initial stream from said plurality of streams of encoded media that are encoded at different maximum bitrates rates using the playback device based upon the maximum bitrates of the plurality of streams and the initial bandwidth estimate; and commencing streaming of encoded media by requesting portions of the encoded media from the initial streams using the playback device.
Abstract:
Systems and methods for determining available bandwidth and performing initial stream selection when commencing adaptive bitrate streaming using Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. One embodiment includes performing a bandwidth probe to obtain an estimate of the available bandwidth between a playback device and a remote server, where the bandwidth probe comprises the playback device requesting blocks of data of increasing size from the remote server until the time taken to download a requested block exceeds a predetermined threshold, selecting an initial stream from said plurality of streams of encoded media that are encoded at different maximum bitrates rates using the playback device based upon the maximum bitrates of the plurality of streams and the estimated available bandwidth, and commencing streaming of encoded media by requesting portions of the encoded media from the initial streams using the playback device.
Abstract:
Systems and methods for determining available bandwidth and performing initial stream selection when commencing adaptive bitrate streaming using Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. One embodiment includes performing a bandwidth probe to obtain an estimate of the available bandwidth between a playback device and a remote server, where the bandwidth probe comprises the playback device requesting blocks of data of increasing size from the remote server until the time taken to download a requested block exceeds a predetermined threshold, selecting an initial stream from said plurality of streams of encoded media that are encoded at different maximum bitrates rates using the playback device based upon the maximum bitrates of the plurality of streams and the estimated available bandwidth, and commencing streaming of encoded media by requesting portions of the encoded media from the initial streams using the playback device.
Abstract:
Systems and methods for performing adaptive bitrate streaming using alternative streams of protected content in accordance with embodiments of the invention are described. One embodiment includes a processor, and non-volatile storage containing an encoding application. In addition, the encoding application configures the processor to: receive source content; obtain common cryptographic information; encode the source content as a plurality of streams including a plurality of alternative streams of content; and protect the plurality of alternative streams of content using the common cryptographic information.
Abstract:
Methods and systems of generating and displaying textual information for a multimedia file are provided. An optimized font file is created that matches the text data of the multimedia file and optionally a number of predetermined text characters. The optimized font file may also be further configured to conform to a specific memory and/or timing constraint.
Abstract:
Multimedia distribution systems are disclosed in which servers communicate with clients via audio, video, overlay and/or control channels. In many instances, the audio, video and/or overlay information is transcoded prior to transmission. In many embodiments, the servers and/or clients can be updated. In several embodiments, the updates can be performed in a manner that preserves the ability of all devices connected to a network to communication. One embodiment of the invention includes a server (12) connected to a client (20) via a network (14) and at least one storage device (24) containing audio, video and/or overlay information formatted in accordance with a first format. In addition, the client (20) includes a storage device (56) that stores information indicative of the audio, video and/or overlay formats that the client is capable of decoding and the server (12) is configured to transmit audio, video, overlay and control information via separate audio (17a), video (17b) and overlay (17c)and control channels (19).
Abstract:
Systems and methods for performing smooth visual search of media encoded for adaptive bitrate streaming using trick play streams are disclosed. One embodiment of the invention includes requesting and buffering portions of video from at least one of the alternative streams using a playback device, decoding the buffered portions of video using a decoder on the playback device, receiving at least one user instruction directing the playback device to perform a visual search of the media, requesting and buffering potions of video from the trick play stream using the playback device, and decoding the buffered portions of the trick play stream using a decoder on the playback device.
Abstract:
Systems and methods for adaptive bitrate streaming of media stored in Matroska container files utilizing Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) are disclosed. In one embodiment, a processor requests portions of files from a remote server and retrieves top level index data that identifies EBML container files and describes a maximum bitrate of the alternative streams contained within the EBML container files. The top level index data is parsed to obtain information identifying the EBML container files, requests a portion of at least one of the EBML container files that contains the at least one element that specifies the encoding parameters of the stream contained within the EBML container file, and requests portions of a first EBML container file that includes elements that contain portions of encoded video, where the selection is based upon the measured streaming conditions and the description of the bitrate of the alternative stream contained within the top level data.
Abstract:
Systems and methods of providing enhanced digital media playback through application enhancement tracks are described. Application enhancement tracks are derived from the main content that they are associated with and are encoded to aid the performance of one or more functions related to the content, such as visual-search.