Abstract: A method and apparatus is configured to generate a first message including a portion of a media stream or a portion of a data file. The method and apparatus also generates a second message including the first message, for sending to one or more addressees. The second message also includes information identifying one or more additional entities other than the one or more addressees from which one or more portions of the media stream or the data file can be obtained.

Abstract: Discovering peer-to-peer content using metadata streams involves capturing, for each of a plurality of devices, a content and metadata stream that describes a context of the content. The metadata streams are sent to a metadata repository contemporaneously with the capture of the content by the respective devices. Network queries of the streaming metadata are enabled via the metadata repository, and, in response to the network queries, peer-to-peer access of the content is facilitated from one or more of the devices.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is configured to generate a first message including a portion of a media stream or a portion of a data file. The method and apparatus also generates a second message including the first message, for sending to one or more addressees. The second message also includes information identifying one or more additional entities other than the one or more addressees from which one or more portions of the media stream or the data file can be obtained.

Abstract: Discovering peer-to-peer content using metadata streams involves capturing, for each of a plurality of devices, a content and metadata stream that describes a context of the content. The metadata streams are sent to a metadata repository contemporaneously with the capture of the content by the respective devices. Network queries of the streaming metadata are enable via the metadata repository, and, in response to the network queries, peer-to-peer access of the content is facilitated from one or more of the devices.

Abstract: Peer-to-peer and IPTV based technologies have facilitated tremendous growth in terms of the sharing of video files in computer networks and on the Internet. This growth has imposed an immense challenge on service providers in terms of being able to handle continuously increasing loads while still ensuring (a minimum) quality of service. This invention responds to the noted challenge by providing a novel apparatus, method and system for providing video to an end user at various resolutions. Additional benefits include the preservation of computing resources in terms of processing resources, power, and bandwidth while still providing users with content-rich services.