Abstract: Systems and methods for encoding alternative streams for use in adaptive bitrate streaming based upon the delay of each stream in accordance with embodiments of the invention are described. One embodiment of the invention includes memory, and a processor configured by a source encoding application to: receive multimedia content, where the multimedia content includes source video data having a primary resolution and a primary sample aspect ratio; and encode the source video data as a set of alternative video streams, where: the alternative video streams have different maximum bitrates; and the alternative video streams are encoded to have an upper bound seek delay that is equal to or less than the upper bound seek delay of streams in the set of alternative video streams that are encoded at a higher maximum bitrate.

Abstract: Systems and methods for encoding a plurality of alternative streams of video content using multiple encoders in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. An encoding system includes multiple encoders. Each of the encoders receives a source stream of video content that is divided into portions. Each of the encoders generates portions of the plurality of alternative streams from the portions of the source stream. The portions of the alternative streams generated by a particular encoder are stored in a container for the particular encoder. Each encoder also generates index information for the portion of the alternative stream generated by the encoder that is stored in a manifest for the encoder.

Abstract: Systems and methods in accordance with embodiments of this invention provide for encoding and playing back video at different frame rates using enhancement layers. In a number of embodiments, video is encoded using temporal scalability involving the creation of a base layer at a first frame rate and an enhancement layer including additional frames enabling playback at a second higher frame rate. The second higher frame rate can also be referred to as an enhanced frame rate. In a number of embodiments, the base and enhancement layers are stored in one or more container files that contain metadata describing the enhancement layer. Based on the capabilities of a playback device, it can select the particular frame rate at which to playback encoded video.

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 disclosed. 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: Methods, systems, and computer readable media for controlling delivery of content are provided. In some embodiments, a system for controlling delivery of content is provided. The system includes processing circuitry configured to: transmit, to a server, a plurality of requests for blocks of the content; while at least some of the plurality of requests are still outstanding: detect a change of a service characteristic of a connection between the system and the server; determine a preferred number of outstanding requests; and cancel at least some of the requests from the plurality that are still outstanding based on the preferred number and a count of the requests from the plurality that are still outstanding.

Abstract: Systems and methods for accessing digital content using electronic tickets and ticket tokens in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. In one embodiment, a user device includes a processor, a network interface, and memory configured to store an electronic ticket, and a ticket token, and the processor is configured by an application to send a request for digital content, receive a ticket token from a merchant server, wherein the ticket token is generated by a DRM server and associated with an electronic ticket that enables playback of the requested digital content, send the ticket token to a DRM server, receive an electronic ticket that enables playback of requested digital content, request the digital content associated with the electronic ticket, and play back the requested digital content using the electronic ticket.

Abstract: Systems and methods for playing adaptive bitrate streaming content by multicast in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of receiving and playing back adaptive bitrate streaming content using a playback device includes receiving an adaptive streaming session description including information about a piece of adaptive streaming content and information for accessing a multicast session of the piece of adaptive streaming content using a playback device, receiving portions of a first alternative stream of the piece of adaptive streaming content sent to a first multicast group that includes the playback device using the playback device, computing a bandwidth measurement using the playback device, and switching to a second alternative stream of the piece of adaptive streaming content based upon the computed bandwidth measurement using the playback device.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media for transcoding video data based on metadata are provided. In some embodiments, methods for transcoding video data using metadata are provided, the methods comprising: receiving a first plurality of encoded images from a storage device; decoding the first plurality of encoded images based on a first coding scheme to generate a plurality of decoded images; receiving a plurality of encoding parameters from the storage device; and encoding the plurality of decoded images into a second plurality of encoded images based on a second coding scheme and the plurality of encoding parameters.

Abstract: A multimedia file and methods of generating, distributing and using the multimedia file are described. Multimedia files in accordance with embodiments of the present invention can contain multiple video tracks, multiple audio tracks, multiple subtitle tracks, data that can be used to generate a menu interface to access the contents of the file and ‘meta data’ concerning the contents of the file. Multimedia files in accordance with several embodiments of the present invention also include references to video tracks, audio tracks, subtitle tracks and ‘meta data’ external to the file. One embodiment of a multimedia file in accordance with the present invention includes a series of encoded video frames and encoded menu information.

Abstract: Playback and distribution systems and methods for multimedia files are provided. The multimedia files are encoded with indexes associated with the content data of the multimedia files. Through the use of the indexes, playback of the content is enhanced without significantly increasing the file size of the multimedia file.

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 of the invention includes a processor, and memory containing a client application. In addition, the client application configures the processor to: request a top level index file identifying a plurality of alternative streams of protected content, where each of the alternative streams of protected content are encrypted using common cryptographic information; obtain the common cryptographic information; request portions of content from at least the plurality of alternative streams of protected content; access the protected content using the common cryptographic information; and playback the content.

Abstract: A multimedia file and methods of generating, distributing and using the multimedia file are described. Multimedia files in accordance with embodiments of the present invention can contain multiple video tracks, multiple audio tracks, multiple subtitle tracks, a complete index that can be used to locate each data chunk in each of these tracks and an abridged index that can enable the location of a subset of the data chunks in each track, data that can be used to generate a menu interface to access the contents of the file and ‘meta data’ concerning the contents of the file. Multimedia files in accordance with several embodiments of the present invention also include references to video tracks, audio tracks, subtitle tracks and ‘meta data’ external to the file.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing playback of audio content during a trick-play mode in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. Media content can include audio content and video content. The audio content is divided into segments and the video content includes frames. Synchronization information associates a presentation time of each of the segments of the audio content with a presentation time of one or more frames associated with the images of the video content. When a trick-play mode is requested, the next frame from the video content to present is determined. The synchronization information is used to determine the segments of the audio content associated with the next frame. The determined segments audio content are presented as the frames are displayed in trick-play mode.

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 of the invention includes a processor, and memory containing a client application. In addition, the client application configures the processor to: request a top level index file identifying a plurality of alternative streams of protected content, where each of the alternative streams of protected content are encrypted using common cryptographic information; obtain the common cryptographic information; request portions of content from at least the plurality of alternative streams of protected content; access the protected content using the common cryptographic information; and playback the content.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media for controlling delivery of content are provided. In some embodiments, a system for controlling delivery of content is provided. The system includes processing circuitry configured to: transmit, to a server, a plurality of requests for blocks of the content; while at least some of the plurality of requests are still outstanding: detect a change of a service characteristic of a connection between the system and the server; determine a preferred number of outstanding requests; and cancel at least some of the requests from the plurality that are still outstanding based on the preferred number and a count of the requests from the plurality that are still outstanding.

Abstract: Systems and methods for sharing content between devices are disclosed. To request a shared piece of media content, a playback device generates and sends a request to content server. The playback device includes information in the request that indicates the playback capabilities of the device. The content server receives the request and determines the playback capabilities of the playback device from the information in the request. The content server then determines the assets that may be used by the playback device to obtain the media content and generates a top level index file for the playback device that includes information about the determined assets. The top level index file is then sent to the playback device that may then use the top level index file to obtain the media content using the indicated assets.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing variable trick-play mode playback of media content in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. A playback device stores images of the media content associated with presentation times and marker information for the media content that indicates the presentation time of moments of interest. When a trick-play mode is invoked, the playback device determines a presentation time of a next marker in the playback. The playback device determines whether the current presentation time of the playback is within a specified range of the presentation time of the next marker and adjusts the speed of the trick-play playback based on the determination. The next frame to present is determined based on the adjusted speed of the trick-play playback and displayed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing multimedia content from one process or component to another process or component over an unsecured connection are provided. One embodiment includes obtaining the cryptographic information, extracting the at least partially encrypted video data from the container file to create an elementary bitstream, enciphering the cryptographic information, inserting the cryptographic information in the elementary bitstream, providing the elementary bitstream to a video decoder, extracting the cryptographic information from the elementary bitstream at the video decoder, deciphering the cryptographic information, decrypting the elementary bitstream with the cryptographic information and decoding the elementary bitstream for rendering on a display device using the video decoder.

Abstract: Systems and methods for synchronizing the playback of streamed content on multiple playback devices is disclosed. The systems and methods include receiving time information based on a network time source in the playback devices connected to a defined network. The playback clock in each playback device is set based upon the time information. A first playback device then generates presentation time information including a start time for playback and broadcast the presentation time information to the other playback device over the defined network. The playback devices use the presentation time information to adjust the presentation time stamps of the frames of the media content in the stream.

Abstract: Systems and methods for encoding source media in Matroska container files for adaptive bitrate streaming utilizing Hypertext Transfer Potocol (HTTP) in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. One embodiment of the invention includes a processor configured via a source encoding application to ingest at least one multimedia file containing a source video.