Abstract: A method for controlling media presentation is disclosed. In some implementations, the method is performed at an electronic device having one or more processors and memory storing one or more programs for execution by the one or more processors. The electronic device displays a user interface, the user interface including a control element for media that is provided by a media server associated with a first service provider, the user interface originating from a server associated with a second service provider distinct from the first service provider of the media server. The electronic device receives a user input selecting the control element. In response to the user input, the electronic device sends a media control request to the media server, the media control request causing the media server to control playback of a playlist, including initiating playback of first media content in the playlist associated with the user.

Abstract: A method for controlling media presentation is disclosed. In some implementations, the method is performed at a first electronic device having one or more processors and memory storing one or more programs for execution by the one or more processors. The first electronic device displays a webpage including a control element, such as a “play” button. The webpage originates from a webpage server. The first electronic device receives a user input, such as a mouse click, selecting the control element. In response to the user input, the first electronic device sends a media control request to a media server. The media control request is configured to cause the media server to control presentation of first media content at a second electronic device associated with the user, wherein the second electronic device is different from the first electronic device, and wherein the media server is different from the webpage server.

Abstract: A method for controlling media presentation is disclosed. In some implementations, the method is performed at a first electronic device having one or more processors and memory storing one or more programs for execution by the one or more processors. The first electronic device displays a webpage including a control element, such as a “play” button. The webpage originates from a webpage server. The first electronic device receives a user input, such as a mouse click, selecting the control element. In response to the user input, the first electronic device sends a media control request to a media server. The media control request is configured to cause the media server to control presentation of first media content at a second electronic device associated with the user, wherein the second electronic device is different from the first electronic device, and wherein the media server is different from the webpage server.

Abstract: A method is performed at a first electronic device associated with a user. The method includes displaying a webpage including a control element associated with media content provided by a media server. The webpage originates from a webpage server distinct from the media server. The method includes receiving a user input selecting the control element, and, in response to the user input: sending a media control request to the media server, the media control request configured to cause the media server to perform a media control operation to control presentation of the media content at a second electronic device associated with the user, wherein the second electronic device is distinct from the first electronic device; and sending, to the second electronic device, a local media control request via a local network. The local media control request is configured to cause performance of the same media control operation.

Abstract: A method is performed at a first electronic device associated with a user. The method includes displaying a webpage including a control element associated with media content provided by a media server. The webpage originates from a webpage server distinct from the media server. The method includes receiving a user input selecting the control element, and, in response to the user input: sending a media control request to the media server, the media control request configured to cause the media server to perform a media control operation to control presentation of the media content at a second electronic device associated with the user, wherein the second electronic device is distinct from the first electronic device; and sending, to the second electronic device, a local media control request via a local network. The local media control request is configured to cause performance of the same media control operation.

Abstract: A method for controlling media presentation is disclosed. In some implementations, the method is performed at a first electronic device having one or more processors and memory storing one or more programs for execution by the one or more processors. The first electronic device displays a webpage including a control element, such as a “play” button. The webpage originates from a webpage server. The first electronic device receives a user input, such as a mouse click, selecting the control element. In response to the user input, the first electronic device sends a media control request to a media server. The media control request is configured to cause the media server to control presentation of first media content at a second electronic device associated with the user, wherein the second electronic device is different from the first electronic device, and wherein the media server is different from the webpage server.

Abstract: A method of remotely controlling an electronic device is disclosed. In some implementations, the method is performed on a server system. The server system receives, from a first electronic device, a first media control request, wherein the first electronic device provides a single user interface that allows a user to both select media content for presentation by the first electronic device and to generate media control requests for transmission to the server system; and the first electronic device also sends a second media control request to a second electronic device over a local area network to which both the first electronic device and the second electronic device are connected. The server system then sends the received first media control request to the second electronic device, distinct from the first electronic device, wherein the server system and the second electronic device are not on the same local area network.

Abstract: A system and method for early media buffering using prediction of user behavior. In accordance with an embodiment, a client device user interface displays a plurality of media options, each of which is associated with a corresponding media content, for example a media channel or video stream, that can be received from a media server system for playing at the device, or at a controlled device. While the user interacts with the user interface, media content associated with regions of the interface can be buffered in preparation for selection and subsequent playing. The client device can include a user interaction sensor, for example a motion, hand/proximity, or heat sensor, which detects when a user is about to interact with the device. The media server system can be triggered to buffer media content associated with one or more neighboring media options on the user interface, in preparation for selection and playing.

Abstract: An electronic device obtains a file header for a file that corresponds to a plurality of clusters. The file header includes a cluster index that enables coarse searching within the file. At least one of the file header and the file omits information that is known to or calculable by the device for extracting content from the file. In response to receiving a request to seek to a position within the file, the device identifies a cluster that includes content that corresponds to the position based on the cluster index and obtains a cluster header that enables fine searching within the cluster. After obtaining the cluster header, the device identifies, within the cluster, the content that corresponds to the position based on the content index and provides at least a portion of content corresponding to the file to a presentation device, starting with the content that corresponds to the position.

Abstract: A computer system generates a first decompressed media stream based on a first compressed media stream and provides the first decompressed media stream to a presentation device. While providing the first decompressed media to the presentation device: the computer system receives a content-transition indication indicating that a second decompressed media stream is to be provided to the presentation device instead of the first decompressed media stream. The computer system stores first buffered data corresponding to the first decompressed media stream and receives a second compressed media stream corresponding to the second decompressed media stream.

Abstract: A computer system generates a first decompressed media stream based on a first compressed media stream. While providing the first decompressed media stream to the presentation device, the computer system receives a content-transition indication to switch to a second decompressed media stream. In response to receiving the content-transition indication, the computer system selects a first transition point in first content corresponding to the first compressed media stream and selects a second transition point in second content corresponding to the second compressed media stream. The second transition point is selected in accordance with a bandwidth available for receiving the second compressed media stream and the first transition point is selected based on the second transition point. The computer system requests the second compressed media stream starting at the second transition point and ceases to provide the first decompressed media stream at the first transition point in the first content.

Abstract: A computer system generates, using a first codec, a first decompressed media stream based on a first compressed media stream. The computer system provides the first decompressed media stream to a presentation device. While providing the first decompressed media stream to the presentation device, the computer system receives a second compressed media stream corresponding to a second decompressed media stream to be presented by the presentation device and initializes a second codec after the first codec has stopped decompressing the first compressed media stream so that no more than one codec is decompressing compressed media at a time. The computer system generates, using the initialized second codec, the second decompressed media stream and provides the second decompressed media stream to the presentation device instead of providing the first decompressed media stream to the presentation device.

Abstract: A computer system receives a content-transition indication to provide a second decompressed media stream to a presentation device instead of providing a first decompressed media stream. In response to receiving the content-transition indication, the computer system ceases to receive a first compressed media stream corresponding to the first decompressed media stream and continues to provide the first decompressed media stream to the presentation device using first buffered data. The computer system selects a transition point for a second compressed media stream, corresponding to the second decompressed media stream, based on a quantity of data of the second compressed media stream to be buffered. While continuing to provide the first decompressed media stream to the presentation device using the first buffered data, the computer system receives and buffers the second compressed media stream starting at the transition point.

Abstract: In response to a request for a media-control operation to be implemented at a second electronic device distinct from a first electronic device, the first electronic device sends a first request to a server system to cause the media-control operation to be implemented at the second electronic device. The server system is distinct from the first electronic device. Also in response to the request for the media-control operation to be implemented at the second electronic device, the first electronic device sends a second request to the second electronic device. The second request is a request to implement the media-control operation at the second electronic device.

Abstract: An electronic device with one or more processors, memory and a display obtains a file header for a file that corresponds to a plurality of separately indexed clusters. The file is divided into segments one or more of which include multiple sequential clusters. The file header includes a segment index that enables identification of a segment that includes requested content. The device receives a request to seek to a respective position within the file. In response, the device identifies a first segment that includes content that corresponds to the respective position based on the segment index, obtains the first segment, and obtains a content index for a respective cluster within the first segment. After obtaining the first segment and the content index, the device identifies respective content within the respective cluster that corresponds to the respective position based on a content index and provides the respective content to a user.

Abstract: A computer system receives a content-transition indication to provide a second decompressed media stream to a presentation device instead of providing a first decompressed media stream. In response to receiving the content-transition indication, the computer system ceases to receive a first compressed media stream corresponding to the first decompressed media stream and continues to provide the first decompressed media stream to the presentation device using first buffered data. The computer system selects a transition point for a second compressed media stream, corresponding to the second decompressed media stream, based on a quantity of data of the second compressed media stream to be buffered. While continuing to provide the first decompressed media stream to the presentation device using the first buffered data, the computer system receives and buffers the second compressed media stream starting at the transition point.

Abstract: In response to a request for a media-control operation to be implemented at a second electronic device distinct from a first electronic device, the first electronic device sends a first request to a server system to cause the media-control operation to be implemented at the second electronic device. The server system is distinct from the first electronic device. Also in response to the request for the media-control operation to be implemented at the second electronic device, the first electronic device sends a second request to the second electronic device. The second request is a request to implement the media-control operation at the second electronic device.

Abstract: An electronic device with one or more processors, memory and a display obtains information that enables distribution of content to a plurality of clients having different file format processing capabilities. The device provides, to a first client, first information that enables access to respective content in a first file format and provides, to a second client, second information that enables access to the respective content in a second file format different from the first file format. The first information identifies a first set of file portions that can be combined to generate the respective content in the first file format. The second information identifies a second set of file portions that can be combined to generate the respective content in the second file format. The second set of file portions includes one or more shared file portions that are included in the first set of file portions.

Abstract: A computer system generates a first decompressed media stream based on a first compressed media stream. While providing the first decompressed media stream to a presentation device, the computer system receives a content-transition indication for providing a second decompressed media stream to the presentation device instead of the first decompressed media stream. The content-transition indication corresponds to a request to display the second decompressed media stream starting at a respective point within a predefined portion of the second decompressed media stream. The computer system receives a second compressed media stream corresponding to the second decompressed media stream.

Abstract: An electronic device obtains a file header for a file that corresponds to a plurality of clusters. The file header includes a cluster index that enables coarse searching within the file. At least one of the file header and the file omits information that is known to or calculable by the device for extracting content from the file. In response to receiving a request to seek to a position within the file, the device identifies a cluster that includes content that corresponds to the position based on the cluster index and obtains a cluster header that enables fine searching within the cluster. After obtaining the cluster header, the device identifies, within the cluster, the content that corresponds to the position based on the content index and provides at least a portion of content corresponding to the file to a presentation device, starting with the content that corresponds to the position.