Abstract: In some embodiments, a method sends a playlist that includes links to segments of media content. At least a portion of the links include a variable, and a presentation of the media content that is attributable to a request for the media content is created by insertion of values for variables in the playlist. The values are associated with a first version of the media content or a second version of the media content. The method receives a request for a segment and the request contains information from a link included in the playlist. The information includes data based on a value provided for insertion into the link as a substitution for a variable included in the link. The value is associated with the first version of the media content or the second version of the media content. The segment that corresponds to the link is sent.

Abstract: Embodiments provide for methods, computer program products, and systems to improve media playback comprising receiving a variant stream, identifying respective maximum segment durations for a plurality of different types of client devices that will play media content contained in the variant stream, generating, using the variant stream, a respective playlist for each of the plurality of different types of client devices, wherein the respective playlists each contain different maximum segment durations, and delivering the respective playlists to at least one of the plurality of different types of client devices via a distribution network.

Abstract: Embodiments provide for methods, computer program products, and systems to improve media playback comprising receiving a variant stream, identifying respective maximum segment durations for a plurality of different types of client devices that will play media content contained in the variant stream, generating, using the variant stream, a respective playlist for each of the plurality of different types of client devices, wherein the respective playlists each contain different maximum segment durations, and delivering the respective playlists to at least one of the plurality of different types of client devices via a distribution network.

Abstract: A system includes a computing platform having processing hardware, and a memory storing software code. The software code is executed to receive content having a sequence of content segments, and marker data identifying a location within the sequence, identify, using the content and the marker data, segment boundaries of a content segment containing the location, determine, using the location and the segment boundaries, whether the location is situated within a predetermined interval of one of the segment boundaries, and re-encode a subsection of the sequence to produce a new segment boundary at the location. When the location is not situated within the predetermined interval, the subsection of the sequence includes the content segment containing the location. When the location is situated within the predetermined interval, the subsection of the sequence includes the content segment containing the location and a content segment adjoining the content segment containing the location.

Abstract: Embodiments provide for a system, comprising a plurality of encoders configured to generate a plurality of variant streams, and a cross-variant Instantaneous Decoder Refresh (IDR) identifier configured to inspect the plurality of variant streams, identify IDR frames in each of the plurality of variant streams, determine which IDR frames correspond to cross-variant boundaries, and demarcate the IDR frames corresponding to cross-variant boundaries.

Abstract: Embodiments provide for methods, computer program products, and systems to improve media playback comprising receiving a variant stream, identifying respective maximum segment durations for a plurality of different types of client devices that will play media content contained in the variant stream, generating, using the variant stream, a respective playlist for each of the plurality of different types of client devices, wherein the respective playlists each contain different maximum segment durations, and delivering the respective playlists to at least one of the plurality of different types of client devices via a distribution network.

Abstract: Embodiments provide for methods, computer program products, and systems to improve media playback comprising receiving a variant stream, identifying respective maximum segment durations for a plurality of different types of client devices that will play media content contained in the variant stream, generating, using the variant stream, a respective playlist for each of the plurality of different types of client devices, wherein the respective playlists each contain different maximum segment durations, and delivering the respective playlists to at least one of the plurality of different types of client devices via a distribution network.

Abstract: Various embodiments set forth a computer-implemented method for selectively caching digital content for streaming, comprising analyzing a set of traffic data associated with streaming of a plurality of media items in a first time period, selecting, based on the set of traffic data, a first media item for storage in a cache during a second time period, and storing in the cache, prior to receiving a request for the first media item in the second time period, at least a portion of a first media stream of a plurality of media streams associated with the first media item, and at least a portion of a second media stream of the plurality of media streams, wherein each media stream in the plurality of media streams is encoded with different characteristics.

Abstract: Techniques for improved media streaming are provided. A request for a variant list for streaming media content is received from a requesting entity, where the request includes a predefined flag. A set of predefined rules corresponding to the predefined flag is identified. The variant list is pruned based on the set of predefined rules, and the pruned variant list is transmitted to the requesting entity.

Abstract: Techniques for improved media streaming are provided. A request for a variant list for streaming media content is received from a requesting entity, where the request includes a predefined flag. A set of predefined rules corresponding to the predefined flag is identified. The variant list is pruned based on the set of predefined rules, and the pruned variant list is transmitted to the requesting entity.

Abstract: Embodiments provide for a system, comprising a plurality of encoders configured to generate a plurality of variant streams, and a cross-variant Instantaneous Decoder Refresh (IDR) identifier configured to inspect the plurality of variant streams, identify IDR frames in each of the plurality of variant streams, determine which IDR frames correspond to cross-variant boundaries, and demarcate the IDR frames corresponding to cross-variant boundaries.

Abstract: Embodiments provide for a system, comprising a plurality of encoders configured to generate a plurality of variant streams, and a cross-variant Instantaneous Decoder Refresh (IDR) identifier configured to inspect the plurality of variant streams, identify IDR frames in each of the plurality of variant streams, determine which IDR frames correspond to cross-variant boundaries, and demarcate the IDR frames corresponding to cross-variant boundaries.

Abstract: Various embodiments set forth a computer-implemented method for selectively caching digital content for streaming, comprising analyzing a set of traffic data associated with streaming of a plurality of media items in a first time period, selecting, based on the set of traffic data, a first media item for storage in a cache during a second time period, and storing in the cache, prior to receiving a request for the first media item in the second time period, at least a portion of a first media stream of a plurality of media streams associated with the first media item, and at least a portion of a second media stream of the plurality of media streams, wherein each media stream in the plurality of media streams is encoded with different characteristics.

Abstract: Embodiments provide for a system, comprising a plurality of encoders configured to generate a plurality of variant streams, and a cross-variant Instantaneous Decoder Refresh (IDR) identifier configured to inspect the plurality of variant streams, identify IDR frames in each of the plurality of variant streams, determine which IDR frames correspond to cross-variant boundaries, and demarcate the IDR frames corresponding to cross-variant boundaries.

Abstract: Embodiments provide for methods, computer program products, and systems to improve media playback comprising receiving a variant stream, identifying respective maximum segment durations for a plurality of different types of client devices that will play media content contained in the variant stream, generating, using the variant stream, a respective playlist for each of the plurality of different types of client devices, wherein the respective playlists each contain different maximum segment durations, and delivering the respective playlists to at least one of the plurality of different types of client devices via a distribution network.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses provide real-time or near real-time streaming of content, specified in one or more playlists, using transfer protocols such as an HTTP compliant protocol. In one embodiment, a method can adaptively determine a minimum overlap for an overlap in time between two streams being received concurrently in order to determine when to switch between the two streams, and the minimum overlap can be determined based on connection speed. In another embodiment, a minimum playlist duration can be set as a multiple of a target duration which specifies a maximum duration of a media file specified in a playlist. In another embodiment, a method can enforce a start point for playback at a client device.

Abstract: This document describes a protocol for transferring unbounded streams of multimedia data. It specifies the data format of the files and the actions to be taken by the server (sender) and the clients (receivers) of the streams. It describes version 2 of this protocol.

Abstract: Methods and systems for switching between media streams can use a comparison of an average bandwidth for a new stream to an observed bit rate for an existing stream in order to determine whether to switch to the new stream. A check on the amount of data buffered for the existing stream can also be performed in order to determine whether a system should switch to the new stream.

Abstract: This document describes a protocol for transferring unbounded streams of multimedia data. It specifies the data format of the files and the actions to be taken by the server (sender) and the clients (receivers) of the streams. It describes version 2 of this protocol.

Abstract: A method of streaming media may include opening a single connection between a client device and a media source; requesting a first media segment of a media stream corresponding to selected tier of a media title over the single connection; determining a download bitrate of the single connection; comparing the download bitrate to a predetermined bitrate of the media title; and in response to determining that the download bitrate is less than the predetermined bitrate, opening a plurality of connections between the client device and media source. The predetermined bitrate may be a predetermined bitrate of a next higher bitrate tier in a group of tiers containing the selected tier when the selected tier is not a highest bitrate tier in the group, and a predetermined bitrate of the selected tier otherwise.