Abstract: The disclosed computer-implemented method includes receiving an indication that cache data is to be copied from an originating cluster having a specified number of replica nodes to a destination cluster having an arbitrary number of replica nodes. The method further includes copying the cache data to a cache dump and creating a log that identifies where the cache data is stored in the cache dump. The method further includes copying the cache data from the cache dump to the replica nodes of the destination cluster. The copying includes writing the copied data in a distributed manner, such that at least a portion of the copied data is distributed over each of the replica nodes in the destination cluster. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

Abstract: The disclosed computer-implemented method may include accessing media segments that correspond to respective media items. At least one of the media segments may be divided into discrete video shots. The method may also include matching the discrete video shots in the media segments to corresponding video shots in the corresponding media items according to various matching factors. The method may further include generating a relative similarity score between the matched video shots in the media segments and the corresponding video shots in the media items, and training a machine learning model to automatically identify video shots in the media items according to the generated relative similarity score between matched video shots. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for improving user experience of multimedia streaming over computer networks. For example, a method for presenting multimedia content may generally include receiving a request to stream a media title. In response to the request, unencrypted content for the media title is streamed to a client. While streaming the unencrypted content, a digital rights management (DRM) license to access encrypted content for the media title is requested. After receiving the DRM license, the client switches from streaming the unencrypted content for the media title to streaming encrypted content for the media title. The switching from streaming the unencrypted content to streaming the encrypted content does not interrupt playback of the media title.

Abstract: In various embodiments, an image encoding application determines a first value for an encoding parameter based on a search interval. The image encoding application then encodes a source image using the first value for the encoding parameter to generate a first encoded image. Subsequently, the image encoding application computes a visual quality score for a first reconstructed source image derived from the first encoded image. The image encoding application reduces the search interval based on a comparison between the visual quality score and the target visual quality score. Based on the resulting reduced search interval, the image encoding application determines a second value for the encoding parameter. The image encoding application encodes the source image using the second value for the encoding parameter to generate a second encoded image. Subsequently, the image encoding application transmits the second encoded image to software application(s) for further processing and display.

Abstract: Various embodiments set forth systems and techniques for concurrent log and dump processing. The techniques include selecting, from a datastore, a chunk comprising one or more rows of data; comparing the one or more rows of data in the chunk with a first set of log events in a change log associated with the datastore, wherein each log event included in the first set of log events occurs after a first log event in the change log and prior to a second log event in the change log; selecting, based on the comparison, one or more non-conflicting rows in the chunk; and transmitting, to an output, one or more log events associated with the one or more non-conflicting rows in the chunk prior to processing a second set of log events in the change log, wherein the second set of log events occur after the second log event.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a clip application computes a set of appearance values for an appearance metric based on shot sequences associated with a media content item. Each appearance value in the set of appearance values indicates a prevalence of a first character in a different shot sequence associated with the media content item. The clip application then performs one or more clustering operations on the shot sequences based on the set of appearance values to generate a first shot cluster. Subsequently, the clip application generates a clip for the media content item based on the first shot cluster. The clip application transmits the clip to an endpoint device for display. Advantageously, relative to primarily manual approaches, the clip application can more efficiently and reliably generate clips for media content items.

Abstract: A playback application is configured to analyze audio frames associated with transitions between segments within a media title to identify one or more portions of extraneous audio. The playback application is configured to analyze the one or more portions of extraneous audio and then determine which of the one or more corresponding audio frames should be dropped. In doing so, the playback application can analyze a topology associated with the media title to determine whether any specific portions of extraneous audio are to be played outside of a logical ordering of audio samples set forth in the topology. These specific portions of extraneous audio are preferentially removed.

Abstract: The disclosed computer-implemented method may include establishing a header policy that is to be applied at a metadata proxy. The header policy may indicate that specified header information is to be included in each metadata service request sent to a metadata service. The method may also include accessing the established header policy at the metadata proxy, where the metadata proxy is configured to intercept metadata service requests and check the intercepted requests for the specified header information. The method may further include determining, at the metadata proxy, that the metadata service request does not include the specified header information and, in response to the determination, preventing the metadata service request from being passed to the metadata service. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of displaying video content includes, based on an input to transition playback of a video content item from a first media player that is instantiated in a user interface to a second media player that is instantiated in the user interface, determining a current value of a first state descriptor associated with the first media player; setting a value of a second state descriptor associated with the second media player to match the current value of the first state descriptor; and after setting the value of the second state descriptor, causing the second media player to begin playback of the video content item, wherein the second media player begins playing the video content item based on the value of the second state descriptor.

Abstract: The disclosed computer-implemented method includes determining that an image is to be blurred. The image has multiple pixels arranged along horizontal and/or vertical axes. The method next includes identifying a boundary size for a sliding window within which pixel values are to be sampled from the image and sampling, from pixels that lie on an axis that is diagonal relative to the horizontal/vertical axis of the image, various pixel values from within the boundary of the sliding window. The pixels sampled along the diagonal angle within the sliding window are selected according to a specified noise pattern. The method further includes performing an initial convolution pass on the pixels surrounding the sampled pixels to blur at least some of the pixels surrounding the sampled pixels, and then presenting the blurred image. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a benchmarking engine automatically tests a data store to assess functionality and/or performance of the data store. The benchmarking engine generates data store operations based on dynamically adjustable configuration data. As the benchmarking engine generates the data store operations, the data store operations execute on the data store. In a complementary fashion, as the data store operations execute on the data store, the benchmarking engine generates statistics based on the results of the executed data store operations. Advantageously, because the benchmarking engine adjusts the number and/or type of data store operations that the benchmarking engine generates based on any changes to the configuration data, the workload that executes on the data store may be fine-tuned as the benchmarking engine executes.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a quality of experience (QoE) prediction application computes a visual quality score associated with a stream of encoded video content. The QoE prediction application also determines a rebuffering duration associated with the stream of encoded video content. Subsequently, the QoE prediction application computes an overall QoE score associated with the stream of encoded video content based on the visual quality score, the rebuffering duration, and an exponential QoE model. The exponential QoE model is generated using a plurality of subjective QoE scores and a linear regression model. The overall QoE score indicates a quality level of a user experience when viewing reconstructed video content derived from the stream of encoded video content.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for dynamically cropping image data transmitted to an endpoint device. The technique includes computing a first visual interest score for a first visual interest region within a digital image based on content included in the first visual interest region, computing a second visual interest score for a second visual interest region within the digital image based on content included in the second visual interest region, and determining that the first visual interest region is preferred over the second visual interest region based on the first visual interest score and the second visual interest score. The technique further includes setting a location within the first visual interest region as a point of visual interest and transmitting the digital image and the location of the point of visual interest to a computing device for displaying a portion of the digital image that includes the point of visual interest.

Abstract: The disclosed computer-implemented method includes accessing data that is to be used as part of a test implementation that has multiple potential outcomes. The method also includes determining that the test implementation is to be carried out using specified testing algorithms that test for at least one of the potential outcomes. The method next includes identifying portions of the accessed data that are to be used in the specified testing algorithms, and compressing the identified portions of the accessed data to remove portions of the accessed data that are unused in the specified testing algorithms. The method also includes executing the test implementation using the specified testing algorithms with the compressed accessed data. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a monitoring application assesses delays associated with a circuit within a network. The monitoring application determines a measured trip time between a first device and a second device that is connected to the first device via the circuit. The measured trip time is associated with a first variance attributable to the first device. The monitoring application performs one or more digital signal processing operations based on the measured trip time to generate a predicted trip time. The predicted trip time is associated with a second variance attributable to the first device that is less than the first variance. Based on the predicted trip time, the monitoring application determines characteristic(s) of the delay associated with the circuit. Advantageously, reducing variations attributable to the first device when generating the first predicted trip time increases the accuracy with which the monitoring application can determine the characteristic(s) of the delay.

Abstract: The disclosed computer-implemented method may include initializing a server instance using a specified network address and an associated set of credentials, logging the network address of the initialized server instance as well as the associated set of credentials in a data log, analyzing network service requests to determine that a different server instance with a different network address is requesting a network service using the same set of credentials, accessing the data log to determine whether the second server instance is using a network address that is known to be valid within the network and, upon determining that the second server instance is not using a known network address, preventing the second server instance from performing specified tasks within the network. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

Abstract: A playback application seamlessly advances playback of and interactive media title in response to user selections in a manner that minimizes latency and preserves user immersion in a narrative. The playback application buffers an interstitial segment included in the interactive media title and feeds portions of the interstitial segment to a media player only when those portions are needed for display. When the user selects an option displayed during the interstitial segment, the playback application begins buffering a subsequent media segment and stops feeding portions of the interstitial segment to the media player. The playback application starts feeding blocks of the subsequent media segment to the media player and then seamlessly advances playback to the subsequent media segment.

Abstract: The disclosed computer-implemented method may include mapping an internal network to identify various nodes of the internal network. The method may further include determining where at least some of the internal network nodes identified in the mapping are located. The method may also include receiving a request for metadata service information from an application hosted on a cloud server instance. The method may then include providing a response to the received request for metadata service information if the determined location of the requesting node is approved or preventing a response to the received request for metadata service information if the determined location of the requesting node is not approved. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

Abstract: The disclosed computer-implemented method may include accessing defect identification data that identifies defects in frames of video content. The method may also include generating, as part of the interactive user interface, an interactive element that presents the frames of video content. The method may further include generating, as part of the interactive user interface, another interactive element that presents selectable metadata items associated with the identified defects in the frames of video content. At least one of the selectable metadata items may include an associated user interface action. Then, upon receiving an input selecting one of the selectable metadata items, the method may include performing the associated user interface action. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a method for updating content stored in a cache residing at an internet service provider (ISP) location that includes receiving popularity data associated with a first plurality of content assets, where the popularity data indicate the popularity of each content asset in the first plurality of content assets across a user base that spans multiple geographic regions, generating a manifest that includes a second plurality of content assets based on the popularity data and a geographic location associated with the cache, where each content asset included in the manifest is determined to be popular among users proximate to the geographic location or users with preferences similar to users proximate to the geographic location, and transmitting the manifest to the cache, where the cache is configured to update one or more content assets stored in the cache based on the manifest.