Abstract: Methods of encoding a live video signal in a video encoding system including a plurality of video capture and encoding subsystems include providing the live video signal and an associated time code signal to the plurality of video capture and encoding subsystems, starting video capture and encoding in a first one of the subsystems at a first frame of the live video signal, starting video capture and encoding in a second one of the subsystems at a second frame of the live video signal that is later than the first frame, generating encode frame timestamps for the second frame in both the first and second video capture and encoding subsystems that are synchronized across the first and second subsystems, and associating the encode frame timestamp with the second frame in both the first and second subsystems. Related systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method is provided in one example and includes determining an occurrence of an exception to a predetermined cadence associated with an input stream of a profile; determining a shifted cadence based, at least in part, on the exception; receiving an indication of a key frame in the profile; determining that the key frame aligns with the shifted cadence; designating the key frame as a boundary point based, at least in part, on the shifted cadence; and communicating the boundary point.

Abstract: A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes generating a key associated with a virtual asset associated with content to be provided to a client device, where the key indicates at least one parameter for accessing the content; generating the virtual asset; receiving a request for the content; identifying a format being requested for the content; using the virtual asset to identify common format content to be retrieved and to identify the key; using the key to retrieve the common format content; and transforming the common format content such that it can be delivered to the client device in the format that was requested.

Abstract: A method is provided in certain example embodiments and may include evaluating a first video stream being encoded by a first encoding element, where the first video stream is provided at a first bit rate. The method may also include evaluating a second video stream being encoded by a second encoding element, where the second video stream is provided at a second bit rate. The method may further include providing an output that is reflective of a time synchronization and a frame alignment for a plurality of frames within the first video stream and the second video stream.

Abstract: A method is provided in one example and includes receiving common format media including timed metadata associated with a timed metadata event. The method further includes extracting timed metadata information from the timed metadata, and generating a manifest corresponding to the common format media including the timed metadata information. The timed metadata information includes an indicator of a start time and an indicator of a duration of the timed metadata event. The method further includes generating a common format asset including the manifest.

Abstract: A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes receiving, at a virtual server, a request for video content from a client device; identifying a policy for a set of transform sessions; accessing a resource monitor in order to evaluate current load conditions associated with the virtual server; and determining an action to take based on the current load conditions.

Abstract: A method is provided in one example and includes receiving media content including timed metadata, generating a common format asset including the timed metadata and a timed metadata index including at least one reference point corresponding to the common format asset. Each reference point includes state context information of the timed metadata at a particular instance of time. The method may further include receiving a request for the timed metadata from a particular client device, and retrieving a determined amount of the timed metadata from the common format asset using the timed metadata index. In a particular example, the determined amount of the timed metadata is an amount sufficient to display a current timed metadata context corresponding to the request.

Abstract: A method is provided in one example and includes receiving first synchronization information associated with a first encapsulated output, receiving second synchronization information associated with a second encapsulated output, and determining whether the first encapsulated output and the second encapsulated output are in synchronization based upon the first synchronization information and the second synchronization information. The method may further include, when the first encapsulated output and the second encapsulated output are determined to out of synchronization, generating corrected synchronization information, and sending the corrected synchronization information to an encapsulator generating at least one of the first encapsulated output and the second encapsulated output.

Abstract: A method is provided in one example embodiment that includes receiving a request for a linear media service and determining that the linear media service is not available. An upstream server is provided with start-up content that is streamed in response to the linear media service not being available. The method also includes switching to the linear media service if the linear media service becomes available. In certain example implementations, the upstream server is an origin server, a residential gateway, an edge cache, an endpoint, etc.

Abstract: A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes receiving a request for video content from a client device and accessing a common format representation for a requested chunk within the video content. The common format representation is provided in one or more files that include metadata indicative of one or more counters. The method can also include using the common format representation in conjunction with a deterministic equation to identify a predicted size of an output to be sent to the client device; and using the predicted size of the output to initiate transmitting at least a portion of a response to the client.

Abstract: A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes receiving video data at an adaptive bitrate (ABR) client that includes a buffer; determining whether a buffer level for the buffer is below a target buffer level; applying a random delay for a fetch interval associated with requesting the video data; and requesting a next segment of the video data after the random delay. The random delay can provide for a plurality of fetch times to become decorrelated from each other.

Abstract: A method is provided in one example and includes receiving video data from a video source in a first format, where the video data includes associated text to be overlaid on the video data as part of a video stream. The method also includes generating a plurality of fragments based on the text. The fragments include respective regions having a designated time duration. The method also includes using the plurality of fragments to convert the video data into a second format to be provided as an output, which is based on the video data that was received. In more specific embodiments, the first format is associated with a Paint-On caption or a Roll-Up caption, and the second format is associated with a Pop-On caption. The first format can also be associated with subtitles.

Abstract: A method is provided in certain example embodiments and may include evaluating a first video stream being encoded by a first encoding element, where the first video stream is provided at a first bit rate. The method may also include evaluating a second video stream being encoded by a second encoding element, where the second video stream is provided at a second bit rate. The method may further include providing an output that is reflective of a time synchronization and a frame alignment for a plurality of frames within the first video stream and the second video stream.

Abstract: Methods of encoding a live video signal in a video encoding system including a plurality of video capture and encoding subsystems include providing the live video signal and an associated time code signal to the plurality of video capture and encoding subsystems, starting video capture and encoding in a first one of the subsystems at a first frame of the live video signal, starting video capture and encoding in a second one of the subsystems at a second frame of the live video signal that is later than the first frame, generating encode frame timestamps for the second frame in both the first and second video capture and encoding subsystems that are synchronized across the first and second subsystems, and associating the encode frame timestamp with the second frame in both the first and second subsystems. Related systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods of encoding a video signal that includes a succession of images are disclosed. A system may include a plurality of independently programmable processing elements (PEs), an input interface device adapted to receive, buffer, and divide the input video signal in a manner appropriate to the plurality of PEs, and an output interface device adapted to receive encoded bitstreams generated by the plurality of PEs and provide an encoded video signal. Each PE is configurable to carry out the steps of a selected encoding algorithm and includes a digital processor and a memory in communication with the digital processor. The memories are independently accessible, and PEs communicate with each another during the encoding.

Abstract: A scene-by-scene (S×S) compression process enables improved visual quality within applicable compression constraints to be obtained. A compressed video signal is analyzed, generating compression statistics. A scene of the video signal is identified for re-compression and a maximum target bit rate for re-compressing the identified scene is determined based on the compression statistics and applicable compression constraints. A target bit rate for re-compressing the scene is selected based on the maximum target bit rate, and compression parameters for the scene are determined based on the scene's compression statistics and the selected target bit rate.