Abstract: A system for transmitting and displaying large media files uses an online streaming service to upload full-length movies and other video and audio files to a wide array of viewers. The system includes a robust, scalable, and fast upload technique that allows files of any size to be uploaded to customers' accounts by the customers. It is specifically tuned to handle hundreds of uploads per second of files which are typically several hundred mega bytes large. Increased scalability is achieved by clustering servers behind a front-end server than gives customers a relative level of distribution transparency.

Abstract: A method for playing back video files optimizes display viewing while minimizing file size. One of a plurality of video files representing the same video production is automatically selected for viewing based on multiple criteria, such as network bandwidth, the type of video players available to display the video file, the format of the video file and the platform used to display the file. The width and height of the image displayed from the selected video file is adjusted to match the resolution of a display screen, or a user specified image size.