Abstract: Client devices in a content delivery network may send requests for content to upstream devices along with one or more parameters that indicate, as an example, client-device-related conditions or constraints, such as available buffer space or buffer starvation time. These parameters may be used by the upstream devices to prioritize content requests according to a prioritization schedule to ensure requested content is timely delivered to the appropriate client device(s) at the appropriate time to prevent playback failure, stalls, etc.

Abstract: Methods, systems, apparatuses for selecting content applications are described. A manifest file associated with a channel may include content item identifiers associated with content items and content application identifiers associated with content applications that can play the content items. A computing device such as a set-top box may determine one or more content applications to play one or more content items based on the content item identifiers and the content application identifiers in the manifest file.

Abstract: A method for receiving and displaying media content may be provided. The method may include requesting a set of DASH video segments that are associated with various viewports and qualities. The method may include displaying the DASH video segments. The method may include determining a latency metric based on a time difference between the display of a DASH video segment and one of: a device beginning to move, the device ceasing to move, the device determining that the device has begun to move, the device determining that the device has stopped moving, or the display of a different DASH video segment. The different DASH video segment may be associated with one or more of a different quality or a different viewport.

Abstract: Methods, systems, apparatuses for selecting content applications are described. A manifest file associated with a channel may include content item identifiers associated with content items and content application identifiers associated with content applications that can play the content items. A computing device such as a set-top box may determine one or more content applications to play one or more content items based on the content item identifiers and the content application identifiers in the manifest file.

Abstract: Client devices in a content delivery network may send requests for content to upstream devices along with one or more parameters that indicate, as an example, client-device-related conditions or constraints, such as available buffer space or buffer starvation time. These parameters may be used by the upstream devices to prioritize content requests according to a prioritization schedule to ensure requested content is timely delivered to the appropriate client device(s) at the appropriate time to prevent playback failure, stalls, etc.

Abstract: Methods, systems, apparatuses for selecting content applications are described. A manifest file associated with a channel may include content item identifiers associated with content items and content application identifiers associated with content applications that can play the content items. A computing device such as a set-top box may determine one or more content applications to play one or more content items based on the content item identifiers and the content application identifiers in the manifest file.

Abstract: Client devices in a content delivery network may send requests for content to upstream devices along with one or more parameters that indicate, as an example, client-device-related conditions or constraints, such as available buffer space or buffer starvation time. These parameters may be used by the upstream devices to prioritize content requests according to a prioritization schedule to ensure requested content is timely delivered to the appropriate client device(s) at the appropriate time to prevent playback failure, stalls, etc.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for providing a manifest of a plurality of manifests to a client device. A computing device may receive a stream of content from other components of the content distribution network, such as from a content packager. The content may include ad insertion points for insertion of various advertisements. The computing device may also receive off-band instructions from other components of the content distribution network. The off-band instructions may include a single set of instructions, which may be capable of indicating particular subsets ad types, lengths, and the like, for insertion into the content for generating a plurality of different manifests. The computing device may generate a plurality of manifests based on the content and the off-band instructions. SSAIs of the content distribution system may select one of the plurality of manifests for sending to a requesting client.

Abstract: A client device adaptively streams a 360-degree video. A first segment is displayed based on a first viewing direction at a first time, where the first viewing direction is associated with a first viewport. The client requests a first base buffer segment based on the first viewport. The first base buffer segment has a presentation time after the first segment. At a second time, the viewing direction changes to a second viewing direction associated with a second viewport. The client requests, prior to the presentation time, a first viewport buffer segment based on the second viewport, with the same presentation time. The client device displays a second segment at the presentation time, wherein the second segment is either the first viewport buffer segment or the first base buffer segment. The client provides reports on viewport switching latency and on the most-requested segments.

Abstract: Methods and systems for improved content encoding are described herein. An encoder may allocate a time budget for encoding each frame of a content item. When the encoder takes longer than the allocated time budget to encode at least a portion of a given frame(s) of the content item at a first resolution, the encoder may take a number of actions in order to allow the encoder to “catch up,” such as encoding frames at a second resolution. Once the encoder catches up and the allocated time budget is not being exceeded, the encoder may resume encoding frames of the content item at the first resolution.

Abstract: Methods and systems for improved content encoding are described herein. An encoder may allocate a time budget for encoding each frame of a content item. When the encoder takes longer than the allocated time budget to encode at least a portion of a given frame(s) of the content item at a first resolution, the encoder may take a number of actions in order to allow the encoder to “catch up,” such as encoding frames at a second resolution. Once the encoder catches up and the allocated time budget is not being exceeded, the encoder may resume encoding frames of the content item at the first resolution.

Abstract: A method for receiving and displaying media content may be provided. The method may include requesting a set of DASH video segments that are associated with various viewports and qualities. The method may include displaying the DASH video segments. The method may include determining a latency metric based on a time difference between the display of a DASH video segment and one of: a device beginning to move, the device ceasing to move, the device determining that the device has begun to move, the device determining that the device has stopped moving, or the display of a different DASH video segment. The different DASH video segment may be associated with one or more of a different quality or a different viewport.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed including techniques for rendering a 360-degree media content. Techniques disclosed include receiving a 360-degree media content and associated metadata that include a classification of a first spatial region from the received content. Techniques disclosed further include determining that a detected user movement is associated with a rendering of the first spatial region and determining whether the classification associated with the first spatial region complies with a stored user preference. If the classification violates the user preference, a path for gradually shifting the content rendering from a currently rendered spatial region to a spatial region that complies with the user preference is determined, and the received content is rendered according to the determined path.

Abstract: A method for receiving and displaying media content may be provided. The method may include requesting a set of DASH video segments that are associated with various viewports and qualities. The method may include displaying the DASH video segments. The method may include determining a latency metric based on a time difference between the display of a DASH video segment and one of: a device beginning to move, the device ceasing to move, the device determining that the device has begun to move, the device determining that the device has stopped moving, or the display of a different DASH video segment. The different DASH video segment may be associated with one or more of a different quality or a different viewport.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for improved adaptation logic and content streaming are described herein. Adaptation logic may allow a client device to request differing representations of content based on at least one service metric related to requesting and/or outputting the content. The client device may receive an indication when at least one frame of the content is encoded using an adaptive resolution change. The client device may determine the at least one service metric based on the indication.

Abstract: A client device adaptively streams a 360-degree video. A first segment is displayed based on a first viewing direction at a first time, where the first viewing direction is associated with a first viewport. The client requests a first base buffer segment based on the first viewport. The first base buffer segment has a presentation time after the first segment. At a second time, the viewing direction changes to a second viewing direction associated with a second viewport. The client requests, prior to the presentation time, a first viewport buffer segment based on the second viewport, with the same presentation time. The client device displays a second segment at the presentation time, wherein the second segment is either the first viewport buffer segment or the first base buffer segment. The client provides reports on viewport switching latency and on the most-requested segments.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for signaling server-associated delays in content delivery are described herein. Client devices in a content delivery network may use adaptation logic when requesting content. The adaptation logic may account for network conditions existing upstream of the client devices in the content delivery network. For example, content sources may provide content to the client devices along with one or more parameters that indicate upstream network conditions. These parameters may enable the client devices to use the adaptation logic more effectively when making rate adaptation decisions.

Abstract: A client device adaptively streams a 360-degree video. A first segment is displayed based on a first viewing direction at a first time, where the first viewing direction is associated with a first viewport. The client requests a first base buffer segment based on the first viewport. The first base buffer segment has a presentation time after the first segment. At a second time, the viewing direction changes to a second viewing direction associated with a second viewport. The client requests, prior to the presentation time, a first viewport buffer segment based on the second viewport, with the same presentation time. The client device displays a second segment at the presentation time, wherein the second segment is either the first viewport buffer segment or the first base buffer segment. The client provides reports on viewport switching latency and on the most-requested segments.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed including techniques for rendering a 360-degree media content. Techniques disclosed include receiving a 360-degree media content and associated metadata that include a classification of a first spatial region from the received content. Techniques disclosed further include determining that a detected user movement is associated with a rendering of the first spatial region and determining whether the classification associated with the first spatial region complies with a stored user preference. If the classification violates the user preference, a path for gradually shifting the content rendering from a currently rendered spatial region to a spatial region that complies with the user preference is determined, and the received content is rendered according to the determined path.

Abstract: A device may be configured to render at least one spatial region of 360-degree media content, which may include two or more spatial regions. The device may include a receiver configured to receive the 360-degree media content and metadata associated with the 360-degree content. The metadata may include a classification of a respective spatial region of the 360-degree media content. The device may further include a memory configured to store a user preference and a sensor configured to detect a user movement. The device may include a processor configured to determine that the user movement is associated with a rendering of the respective spatial region. The processor may further determine whether the classification complies with the user preference and alter the rendering of the respective spatial region if the classification violates the user preference.