Abstract: In general, in an aspect, versions of representations of segments of a media item are received and temporarily stored on a media playing device. The segments have a sequence. The temporarily stored versions are used in sequence to present at least part of the media item to a user. One or more other versions of representations of segments of the media item are also received and persistently stored on the media playing device. The one or more persistently stored other versions are used to enhance the presentation of at least part of the media item to the user.

Abstract: A method that includes obtaining information that indicates an insertion point for a first ad break. The method also includes receiving a manifest associated with a video; generating a modified manifest comprising first segment locator information for causing a player to request a number of segments, wherein generating the modified manifest comprises inserting into the manifest at the insertion point the first segment locator information, wherein the first segment locator information comprises a first uniform resource locator (URL) or URL template information for generating the first URL, and wherein the first URL includes a segment identifier; providing the modified manifest to the player; receiving from the player a segment request comprising the segment identifier; and in response to receiving the segment request comprising the segment identifier, providing to the player a segment or a redirect message for causing the player to request the segment.

Abstract: A method that includes transmitting to a player a modified manifest containing a period element corresponding to a content break. The method also includes, after transmitting the modified manifest, transmitting a request for a manifest for the content break and receiving the manifest for the content break, wherein the manifest for the content break comprises i) a first period element containing first segment locator information and ii) a second period element containing second segment locator information. The method also includes using the received first and second segment locator information to retrieve a first set of media content segments and a second set of media content segments, respectively. The method also includes creating an output file containing encoded media data from the first set of media content segments and the second set of media content segments. The method also includes segmenting the output file to produce a third set of media content segments.

Abstract: In general, in an aspect, second look advertising is enabled. During an original advertisement selection process at a network infrastructure, original-selection advertisements are selected for play back with a streaming format video on a viewer device. After the original advertisement selection process, the streaming format video is presented on the viewer device together with advertisements that are provided by a helper process and can include the original-selection advertisements or other advertisements or both.

Abstract: In general, in an aspect, versions of representations of segments of a media item are received and temporarily stored on a media playing device. The segments have a sequence. The temporarily stored versions are used in sequence to present at least part of the media item to a user. One or more other versions of representations of segments of the media item are also received and persistently stored on the media playing device. The one or more persistently stored other versions are used to enhance the presentation of at least part of the media item to the user.

Abstract: A method that includes receiving a manifest associated with a video, wherein the manifest indicates an insertion point for a first ad break and the manifest comprises first ad break duration information indicating a duration of the first ad break. The method also includes: generating a modified manifest, wherein generating the modified manifest comprises inserting into the manifest at the insertion point first segment locator information for causing a player to request a number of segments, wherein the first segment locator information comprises a first uniform resource locator (URL) or URL template information for generating the first URL, and wherein the first URL includes a segment identifier, and further wherein the modified manifest comprises segment duration information specifying a segment duration associated with the segment identifier.

Abstract: In general, in an aspect, second look advertising is enabled. During an original advertisement selection process at a network infrastructure, original-selection advertisements are selected for play back with a streaming format video on a viewer device. After the original advertisement selection process, the streaming format video is presented on the viewer device together with advertisements that are provided by a helper process and can include the original-selection advertisements or other advertisements or both.

Abstract: A method including: detecting a request for a first part of a video; detecting a request for a second part of the video, wherein the video has a video timeline and the second part of the video immediately follows the first part of the video in the video timeline; after detecting the request for the first part of the video and prior to detecting the request for the second part of the video, transmitting a request for a third part of the video, wherein the third part of the video follows the second part of the video in the video timeline; receiving the requested third part of the video; and storing the received third part of the video.

Abstract: In general, in an aspect, second look advertising is enabled. During an original advertisement selection process at a network infrastructure, original-selection advertisements are selected for play back with a streaming format video on a viewer device. After the original advertisement selection process, the streaming format video is presented on the viewer device together with advertisements that are provided by a helper process and can include the original-selection advertisements or other advertisements or both.

Abstract: In general, in an aspect, versions of representations of segments of a media item are received and temporarily stored on a media playing device. The segments have a sequence. The temporarily stored versions are used in sequence to present at least part of the media item to a user. One or more other versions of representations of segments of the media item are also received and persistently stored on the media playing device. The one or more persistently stored other versions are used to enhance the presentation of at least part of the media item to the user.

Abstract: In general, in an aspect, versions of representations of segments of a media item are received and temporarily stored on a media playing device. The segments have a sequence. The temporarily stored versions are used in sequence to present at least part of the media item to a user. One or more other versions of representations of segments of the media item are also received and persistently stored on the media playing device. The one or more persistently stored other versions are used to enhance the presentation of at least part of the media item to the user.

Abstract: In general, in an aspect, second look advertising is enabled. During an original advertisement selection process at a network infrastructure, original-selection advertisements are selected for play back with a streaming format video on a viewer device. After the original advertisement selection process, the streaming format video is presented on the viewer device together with advertisements that are provided by a helper process and can include the original-selection advertisements or other advertisements or both.

Abstract: Among other things, videos and commercials are downloaded to a mobile device for storage on the mobile device and later playout on the mobile device. The downloading includes downloading of metadata associated with the commercials and based on which the mobile device can select commercials for insertion into videos being played back to the user of the mobile device. The commercials to be downloaded are selected based on one or a combination of any two or more of the location of the user, the type of mobile device, and personally-identifiable information about a user of the mobile device.

Abstract: Among other things, videos and commercials are downloaded to a mobile device for storage on the mobile device and later playout on the mobile device. The downloading includes downloading of metadata associated with the commercials and based on which the mobile device can select commercials for insertion into videos being played back to the user of the mobile device. The commercials to be downloaded are selected based on one or a combination of any two or more of the location of the user, the type of mobile device, and personally-identifiable information about a user of the mobile device.

Abstract: Among other things, videos and commercials are downloaded to a mobile device for storage on the mobile device and later playout on the mobile device. The downloading includes downloading of metadata associated with the commercials and based on which the mobile device can select commercials for insertion into videos being played back to the user of the mobile device. The commercials to be downloaded are selected based on one or a combination of any two or more of the location of the user, the type of mobile device, and personally-identifiable information about a user of the mobile device.

Abstract: Among other features, a methodology for obtaining media object for a user of a mobile communication device is presented. The method includes: an application running on the device receiving a synchronization signal to initiate a synchronization process and select a communication channel to transmit to a synchronization module a query for selected media objects based on a user profile of a user of the device; responsive to the query the device receiving and storing the media objects; and the application providing to the user a notification of the availability of the received media object to be played.

Abstract: Among other things, videos and commercials are downloaded to a mobile device for storage on the mobile device and later playout on the mobile device. The downloading includes downloading of metadata associated with the commercials and based on which the mobile device can select commercials for insertion into videos being played back to the user of the mobile device. The commercials to be downloaded are selected based on one or a combination of any two or more of the location of the user, the type of mobile device, and personally-identifiable information about a user of the mobile device.

Abstract: Among other things, videos and commercials are downloaded to a mobile device for storage on the mobile device and later playout on the mobile device. The downloading includes downloading of metadata associated with the commercials and based on which the mobile device can select commercials for insertion into videos being played back to the user of the mobile device. The commercials to be downloaded are selected based on one or a combination of any two or more of the location of the user, the type of mobile device, and personally-identifiable information about a user of the mobile device.

Abstract: Among other features, notification is presented on a mobile device to a user to advise the user of the availability of a media object that (a) has been received from a server and stored on the mobile device without the user having been aware of the receipt or storage, or (b) has newly become available for streaming from the server to the mobile device.

Abstract: Among other features, notification is presented on a mobile device to a user to advise the user of the availability of a media object that (a) has been received from a server and stored on the mobile device without the user having been aware of the receipt or storage, or (b) has newly become available for streaming from the server to the mobile device.