Abstract: Content streaming systems, such as systems that use HTTP compliant requests to obtain media segments for presentation of the content on a device. These content streaming systems can be optimized to reduce latency to a low level so that live events can be streamed to receiving devices in such a manner so that the time between an action in the live event and the presentation of the action on a receiving device that receives the streamed content is less than about 10 seconds. A client device can use rendition reports to tune-in to a new rendition (at a first bit rate) after presenting a prior rendition (of a second bit rate) when switching between the different bit rates; also, for example, a client device can use playlist annotations that indicate independent frames to avoid downloading depending frame media segments when switching between different renditions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of a device that receives streaming content is described. In an exemplary embodiment, the device receives a media playlist for the content, wherein the media playlist references a plurality of media stream and each of the plurality of media stream are encoded at a different bit rate. The device further determines an initial media stream selected from the plurality of media stream. In addition, the device examines a window of media segments of the initial media stream and determines a local bit rate curve from the window of media segments. The device further selects another one of the plurality of media streams using at least the local bit rate curve.

Abstract: In a streaming media method, a set of one or more server devices can provide media playlists that skip media segments. For example, a client device can receive a full media playlist from a server device, and the full media playlist can indicate that the server device supports providing updated playlists that are condensed by skipping media segments. The client device can then request an updated playlist that skips media segments and use that updated playlist to request and receive steaming content.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for measuring propagation delay of a media distribution system based on content output by rendering devices. An output from an output device of the media distribution system may be captured and a token may be detected from the captured content. A timecode may be derived from the detected token. The system's propagation delay may be determined from the derived timecode and may provide a basis to analyze system delays and other processing artifacts. In this manner, propagation artifacts may be estimated between multiple rendering devices that lack controls to synchronize their operation.

Abstract: Content streaming systems, such as systems that use HTTP compliant requests to obtain media segments for presentation of the content on a device. These content streaming systems can be optimized to reduce latency to a low level so that live events can be streamed to receiving devices in such a manner so that the time between an action in the live event and the presentation of the action on a receiving device that receives the streamed content is less than about 10 seconds. A client device can use rendition reports to tune-in to a new rendition (at a first bit rate) after presenting a prior rendition (of a second bit rate) when switching between the different bit rates; also, for example, a client device can use playlist annotations that indicate independent frames to avoid downloading depending frame media segments when switching between different renditions.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to techniques for a wireless device to detect network bandwidth throttling and dynamically select a buffer threshold. The wireless device may establish a wireless link. Data for a downlink stream may be requested when an amount of buffered data for the stream is below a lower buffer threshold, received via the wireless link, and buffered. Data requests for the stream may be stopped when the amount of buffered data for the stream is above an upper buffer threshold. The upper buffer threshold may be selected based on characteristics of the wireless link and the stream. Throughput of the wireless link may also be monitored during multiple time windows, and the wireless device may determine whether the wireless link caps bandwidth below a bandwidth threshold based on the throughput monitoring.

Abstract: Methods and systems for discovering or tuning-in to near live or current playlists used to stream media content, particularly for live events during which the media content is streamed. The methods and systems can reduce the time required to tune-in to such live events. In one embodiment, a client device can receive an age data in a header of a message that returns a first playlist that was requested by an unattributed playlist request from the client device. The age data can be used to determine how many partial media segments to skip to tune-in to the live event.

Abstract: In one embodiment, systems, methods and non-transitory machine readable media detect differences between the rate of production, by a server, of media segments identified in an HTTP compliant playlist and the rate of consumption, by a client device, of the media segments in streaming media content. These differences, once detected, can be used to adjust a playback rate at the client to reduce the difference between the server rate and the client rate. This detection can be used in low latency streaming media contexts in which the client device is playing back content that is live, such as a live sports event happening during the playback by the client device. The adjustment of the client's playback rate can avoid running out of buffered media segments (when the client's rate is much faster than the server's rate) and can avoid increasing latency at the client device and overloading a buffer with too many media segments (when the client's rate is much slower than the server's rate).

Abstract: In one embodiment, systems, methods and non-transitory machine readable media detect differences between the rate of production, by a server, of media segments identified in an HTTP compliant playlist and the rate of consumption, by a client device, of the media segments in streaming media content. These differences, once detected, can be used to adjust a playback rate at the client to reduce the difference between the server rate and the client rate. This detection can be used in low latency streaming media contexts in which the client device is playing back content that is live, such as a live sports event happening during the playback by the client device. The adjustment of the client's playback rate can avoid running out of buffered media segments (when the client's rate is much faster than the server's rate) and can avoid increasing latency at the client device and overloading a buffer with too many media segments (when the client's rate is much slower than the server's rate).

Abstract: Streaming media systems, such as HTTP Live Streaming, can provide a low latency service by including, within a playlist, a URI that identifies a future media segment that will become available after the playlist is completed. Client devices can receive the playlist and can make two separate blocking requests for an updated playlist and for the future media segment. This approach allows the use of HTTP 1.1 to request and receive playlists and media segments and allows the use of two different servers to provide the playlist in the future media segment.

Abstract: Streaming media systems, such as HTTP Live Streaming, can provide a low latency service by including, within a playlist, a URI that identifies a future media segment that will become available after the playlist is completed. Client devices can receive the playlist and can make two separate blocking requests for an updated playlist and for the future media segment. This approach allows the use of HTTP 1.1 to request and receive playlists and media segments and allows the use of two different servers to provide the playlist in the future media segment.

Abstract: Methods and systems for discovering or tuning-in to near live or current playlists used to stream media content, particularly for live events during which the media content is streamed. The methods and systems can reduce the time required to tune-in to such live events. In one embodiment, a client device can receive an age data in a header of a message that returns a first playlist that was requested by an unattributed playlist request from the client device. The age data can be used to determine how many partial media segments to skip to tune-in to the live event.

Abstract: In a streaming media method, a set of one or more server devices can provide media playlists that skip media segments. For example, a client device can receive a full media playlist from a server device, and the full media playlist can indicate that the server device supports providing updated playlists that are condensed by skipping media segments. The client device can then request an updated playlist that skips media segments and use that updated playlist to request and receive steaming content.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for measuring propagation delay of a media distribution system based on content output by rendering devices. An output from an output device of the media distribution system may be captured and a token may be detected from the captured content. A timecode may be derived from the detected token. The system's propagation delay may be determined from the derived timecode and may provide a basis to analyze system delays and other processing artifacts. In this manner, propagation artifacts may be estimated between multiple rendering devices that lack controls to synchronize their operation.

Abstract: Content streaming systems, such as systems that use HTTP compliant requests to obtain media segments for presentation of the content on a device. These content streaming systems can be optimized to reduce latency to a low level so that live events can be streamed to receiving devices in such a manner so that the time between an action in the live event and the presentation of the action on a receiving device that receives the streamed content is less than about 10 seconds. A client device can use rendition reports to tune-in to a new rendition (at a first bit rate) after presenting a prior rendition (of a second bit rate) when switching between the different bit rates; also, for example, a client device can use playlist annotations that indicate independent frames to avoid downloading depending frame media segments when switching between different renditions.

Abstract: Content streaming systems, such as systems that use HTTP compliant requests to obtain media segments for presentation of the content on a device. These content streaming systems can be optimized to reduce latency to a low level so that live events can be streamed to receiving devices in such a manner so that the time between an action in the live event and the presentation of the action on a receiving device that receives the streamed content is less than about 10 seconds. A client device can use rendition reports to tune-in to a new rendition (at a first bit rate) after presenting a prior rendition (of a second bit rate) when switching between the different bit rates; also, for example, a client device can use playlist annotations that indicate independent frames to avoid downloading depending frame media segments when switching between different renditions.

Abstract: A content streaming device includes display mode shift logic that selects a display mode among multiple display modes of the content streaming device. The content streaming device also includes region detection logic that determines a region of the content streaming device. The content streaming device further includes one or more processors that communicatively couples to an electronic display. The one or more processors instruct the display mode shift logic to select a first display mode having a first refresh rate based on the region of the content streaming device and supported display modes of the electronic display.

Abstract: Systems and methods for enabling playback control functions of a media player are disclosed. For example, a user of a client device receiving streaming playback of a video stream may perform rewind and fast forward control functions. The client device may implement these playback control functions by retrieving an enhanced playback segment. Using the enhanced playback segment, the media player may display selected frames at a predetermined interval while maintaining a visual cadence that is pleasing to a viewer. In the described embodiments, a client device may render a video stream, receive a command to control a fast forward or rewind playback mode for the video stream, and retrieve, from a distribution server or associated edge cache, one or more enhanced playback segments adapted to implement the user command.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for synchronizing media rendering among a plurality of networked terminals. A first terminal may receive communication from another terminal that correlates a network time to a first portion of a media item to be rendered on the terminals. The terminals may identify, from the correlation of network time to the first portion of media and from a playback rate negotiated between the terminals, other portions of the media item to be rendered at other network times. The terminals each may render appropriate portions of the media item as network time progresses. The terminals also may exchange other data to alter playback modes during the course of a common rendering session.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems, methods, devices and computer-readable media for image fetching for timeline scrubbing of digital media. In some implementations, a method comprises: receiving at a first time prior to receiving a scrub command, a first set of scrub images associated with digital media, the first set of scrub images having a first set of positions on a timeline of the digital media; receiving a first scrub command; receiving at a second time after the first time, a second set of scrub images associated with the digital media, the second set of scrub images having a second set of positions on the timeline that fill time gaps in the first set of positions on the timeline; animating, a timeline overlay including the timeline, a playhead and a scrub image window; and selecting a scrub image from the first or second sets of scrub images for presentation in the scrub image window.