Abstract: Described herein are techniques and mechanisms for personalized timeline presentation. Client devices may be presented with video content in association with a content management account. A video content item may be associated with more than one pause point, with each pause point indicating a time at which playback of the video content item was paused. Different profiles associated with the content management account may be associated with different pause points for the same video content item. Playback of the video content item may be resumed at one of the pause points when one of the profiles is selected.

Abstract: Techniques and mechanisms described herein facilitate the capture and coordination of audio and/or video data across connected devices in a communications system. The communications system may include at least two media devices in communication via a network. One of the media devices may be a media application device configured to provide one or more media applications. Another of the media devices may be a media input device configured to capture video and/or audio data. Coordination between a media application and a media input device may be facilitated by a driver layer configured to communicate with the applications.

Abstract: Described herein are techniques and mechanisms for personalized timeline presentation. Client devices may be presented with video content in association with a content management account. A video content item may be associated with more than one pause point, with each pause point indicating a time at which playback of the video content item was paused. Different profiles associated with the content management account may be associated with different pause points for the same video content item. Playback of the video content item may be resumed at one of the pause points when one of the profiles is selected.

Abstract: Techniques and mechanisms described herein facilitate the storage of digital media recordings. According to various embodiments, a system is provided comprising a processor, a storage device, Random Access Memory (RAM), an archive writer, and a recording writer. The archive writer is configured to retrieve a plurality of small multimedia segments (SMSs) in RAM and write the plurality of SMSs into an archive container file in RAM. The single archive container file may correspond to a singular multimedia file when complete. New SMSs retrieved from RAM are appended into the archive container file if the new SMSs also correspond to the singular multimedia file. The recording writer is configured to flush the archive container file to be stored as a digital media recording on the storage device once enough SMSs have been appended by the archive writer to the archive container file to complete the singular multimedia file.

Abstract: Techniques and mechanisms described herein facilitate the efficient common storage of partially encrypted content. According to various embodiments, a client device to transmit a designated representation of a media content item via a communications interface may be received. The media content item may be associated with a plurality of representations including the designated representation. The media content item may be associated with first media content data and second media content data. The first media content data may be shared among the plurality of representations. The second media content data may be specific to the designated representation. The first media content data may be combined with the second media content data to create a designated partially encrypted media content portion associated with the designated representation via a processor. The designated partially encrypted media content portion may be transmitted to the client device via the communications interface.

Abstract: In general, certain embodiments of the present disclosure provide methods and/or systems for implementing a program guide, which comprises sending a first request and receiving a first response associated with a current or future program guide information. The current or future program guide information includes a first plurality of channel identifiers and a plurality of time slots that correspond to current or future time slots, and is displayed at a client device. A second request is sent, which indicates a requested time period that has already occurred and not displayed on the client device, and corresponds to navigation to a previous time slot. A second response is received, which is associated with past program guide information. The past program guide information includes a second plurality of channel identifiers and on-demand program information, and is displayed at the client device.

Abstract: Mechanisms are provided for allowing a user to dynamically manage rich media content in an efficient and effective manner. Tiles including media content, personalized video selections, content pack upgrades, and promotions for featured content are presented to a user. Each tile may include calls to view, purchase, discuss, rate, review, or read about associated content. Tiles may be presented as still images, logos, text, or live video. Multiple tiles may be manipulated using keyboard, mouse, touchpad, and/or touchscreen movements, motions, and gestures. In particular examples, an overlay provided on top of a tile mechanism provides a user with additional navigation and management options.

Abstract: The quality of a media stream transmitted to a client device is dynamically adapted based on real-time availability of resources on the client device. Central processing unit resources, memory availability, buffer usage, graphics processing unit usage, etc., are continuously monitored to evaluate the ability of a device to handle media streams of particular quality levels. When it is determined that resources at a client device temporarily can not handle a high quality media stream, a lower quality stream is selected and provided to the client device without having to establish a new session.

Abstract: Techniques and mechanisms described herein relate to generating a unified playlist for media content originating from different content providers. According to various embodiments, a connection request from a media aggregation system is sent to an over-the-top (OTT) content service provider. A connection is established between the media aggregation system and the OTT content service provider. A connection is also established between the media aggregation system and a cable/satellite/terrestrial (CST) content service provider. Program information from the OTT content service provider and program information associated with the CST content service provider are combined to generate a unified playlist at the media aggregation system.

Abstract: Client buffer thresholds are dynamically adjusted to provide quick start up and smooth playback in a variety of network conditions. In some examples, multiple buffer configurations are available. An initial buffer configuration may be used in typical circumstances and will yield good behavior in most cases. A modified buffer configuration can be used when limited available network resources prevent smooth playback. In some embodiments, a client buffer configuration is continuously adapted based on network throughput and data transfer rates.

Abstract: Real-time metadata tracks recorded to media streams allow search and analysis operations in a variety of contexts. Search queries can be performed using information in real-time metadata tracks such as closed captioning, sub-title, statistical tracks, miscellaneous data tracks. Media streams can also be augmented with additional tracks. The metadata tracks not only allow efficient searching and indexing, but also allow insertion of content specific advertising during appropriate portions of a media stream based on the content of the metadata tracks.

Abstract: Techniques and mechanisms described herein facilitate the management of digital rights for media content item presentation. According to various embodiments, a request for a content decryption key may be received at a media application implemented at a computing device. The request may be transmitted by a media content player implemented at the computing device. The request may be transmitted in accordance with a designated key exchange protocol. A license for an encrypted media content item corresponding with the requested content decryption key may be identified at the media application. Based on information included in the license, encrypted key material may be decrypted to create the requested content decryption key via a processor at the computing device. The requested content decryption key may be provided to the media content player.

Abstract: Media content typically includes closed captioning information such as subtitled in domestic and foreign languages. Techniques and mechanisms provide that closed captioning information may be toggled on/off using menu options and preferences as well as automatically managed by intelligently monitoring the environment surrounding a device. Device sensors such as microphones and vibration monitors determine the noise level of an environment as well as the spectral characteristics of the noise to determine whether the noise profile would interfere with the video playback experience. A particular environmental noise profile could automatically trigger the display of closed captioning information or present an easy access, otherwise unavailable toggle to display closed captioning information associated with a video stream.

Abstract: Techniques and mechanisms described herein facilitate the storage of digital media recordings. According to various embodiments, a system is provided comprising a processor, a storage device, Random Access Memory (RAM), an archive writer, and a recording writer. The archive writer is configured to retrieve a plurality of small multimedia segments (SMSs) in RAM and write the plurality of SMSs into an archive container file in RAM. The single archive container file may correspond to a singular multimedia file when complete. New SMSs retrieved from RAM are appended into the archive container file if the new SMSs also correspond to the singular multimedia file. The recording writer is configured to flush the archive container file to be stored as a digital media recording on the storage device once enough SMSs have been appended by the archive writer to the archive container file to complete the singular multimedia file.

Abstract: Live media streams are delineated for distributed encoding and fragmentation in a dynamically scalable distributed resource system. In some examples, live MPEG-2 media streams are separated into groups of pictures (GOPs) and converted into jobs for encoding and fragmentation systems. Multiple jobs may be created for the same live media stream to provide for different quality levels for each fragment of each channel. Shared resources such as a pool of dynamically scalable virtual machines can be used to process the individual jobs. Encoded fragments may be H.264 fragments maintained on shared storage. A particular live stream corresponding to a particular quality level can be reconstructed using the encoded fragments.

Abstract: Techniques and mechanisms described herein facilitate consecutive live ad insertion for live media streams. A live media stream is received and played at a client device. A first ad indicator in the live media stream, indicating a first start point for a first ad period, is detected. Upon reaching the first start point, reception of the live media stream is paused and one or more first replacement ads are played instead of one or more first original ads. Before the first ad period ends, a small portion of the live media stream is fetched in order to detect the presence of a second ad indicator indicating the presence of a second, consecutive ad period in the live media stream. Upon detecting the second ad indicator, one or more second replacement ads are played during the second ad period.

Abstract: Techniques and mechanisms described herein facilitate the efficient common storage of partially encrypted content. According to various embodiments, a client device to transmit a designated representation of a media content item via a communications interface may be received. The media content item may be associated with a plurality of representations including the designated representation. The media content item may be associated with first media content data and second media content data. The first media content data may be shared among the plurality of representations. The second media content data may be specific to the designated representation. The first media content data may be combined with the second media content data to create a designated partially encrypted media content portion associated with the designated representation via a processor. The designated partially encrypted media content portion may be transmitted to the client device via the communications interface.

Abstract: In general, certain embodiments of the present disclosure provide methods and/or systems for implementing a program guide, which comprises sending a first request and receiving a first response associated with a current or future program guide information. The current or future program guide information includes a first plurality of channel identifiers and a plurality of time slots that correspond to current or future time slots, and is displayed at a client device. A second request is sent, which indicates a requested time period that has already occurred and not displayed on the client device, and corresponds to navigation to a previous time slot. A second response is received, which is associated with past program guide information. The past program guide information includes a second plurality of channel identifiers and on-demand program information, and is displayed at the client device.

Abstract: Media content may be recommended based on feedback weightings. Input data describing the presentation of a media content items in association with content management accounts may be represented as data points. Each data point may identify feedback data for a media content item previously recommended for presentation in association with a content management account. The feedback data may identify a viewer reaction to the recommended media content item. A weighting factor based on the feedback data for the media content item presented in association with the content management account may be applied to produce a recommendation.

Abstract: In general, certain embodiments of the present disclosure provide methods and/or systems for implementing a program guide, which comprises sending a first request and receiving a first response associated with a current or future program guide information. The current or future program guide information includes a first plurality of channel identifiers and a plurality of time slots that correspond to current or future time slots, and is displayed at a client device. A second request is sent, which indicates a requested time period that has already occurred and not displayed on the client device, and corresponds to navigation to a previous time slot. A second response is received, which is associated with past program guide information. The past program guide information includes a second plurality of channel identifiers and on-demand program information, and is displayed at the client device.