Abstract: An example method includes requesting a data stream using a buffer with an initial maximum window size for buffering received data associated with the requested data stream, receiving into the buffer one or more data segments associated with the data stream, removing from the buffer one or more data segments for use by a receiving device, and determining a current window size of the buffer, wherein the current window size is equal to the maximum window size less any data segments which have been received that have not been removed from the buffer. The method further includes comparing the current window size to a predetermined threshold, and in response to determining that the current window size is less than the predetermined threshold, increasing the maximum window size, and initiating a buffer size increase timer having a current timer value and a timer expiration value.

Abstract: Video data is received in 2D or 3D format from different channels as a user scrolls through an electronic guide. The video data may be displayed in a portion of the on: screen display along with graphic and text associated with the EPG data. The received video data may be converted to a suitable format to be displayed with the Electronic Program Guide (EPG). The video data may be converted from 3D to 2D format to be displayed with the EPG data. The video data may be converted from 2D format to 3D format, while the EPG data displays in 2D format. The video data may be converted from one 3D format to another 3D format for display with the EPG data. Selection of converting the received video data can be based on a display format of a previously viewed channel prior to requesting the EPG to be displayed.

Abstract: A method (300) and apparatus (400) for three-dimensional television (3DTV) image adjustment includes loading (342, 344) default 2D-to-3D image setting values from a default settings memory to a user adjustment settings memory, annunciating (346) the default 2D-to-3D image setting values, receiving (361, 362) a 2D-to-3D image settings value adjustment, saving (370) the 2D-to-3D image settings value adjustment in the user adjustment settings memory, and applying (390) the 2D-to-3D image settings value adjustment to a 2D-to-3D converted image. These methods and apparatuses allow individual users to set 3DTV image settings to their personal preferences to compensate for brightness reductions caused by 3DTV glasses, depth perception sensitivities, and other image quality factors.

Abstract: A content moving device which enables providing content stored on a first user device, such as a DVR, in a first format and resolution to be provided to a second user device, such as a portable media player (PMP) in a second format and resolution. The content moving device identifies content on the first user device as candidate content which may be desired by the PMP and receives the candidate content from the DVR. The content moving device transcodes the candidate content at times independent of a request from the PMP for the content. The content moving device may provide a list of available transcoded content to the PMP for selection, and provide selected content to the PMP. The content moving device may also provide information relating to any protection schemes of the content provided to the PMP, such as DRM rights and decryption keys.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, article of manufacture, and a memory structure for a CPT stream to a client device via an HTTP live streaming (HLS) protocol having a plurality of HLS media files is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises generating an HLS playlist specifying a plurality HLS media files before generating any of the HLS media files, wherein each of the plurality of HLS media files has a unique name, transmitting the HLS playlist to the client device, after generating the HLS playlist, transcoding the CPT stream into at least a subset of the plurality of HLS media files, and providing at least one of the subset of plurality of HLS media files to the client device, wherein the at least one of the plurality of HLS media files is a client-requested media file selected from the HLS playlist.

Abstract: A method for transmitting video streams from a server to a media device includes selecting by the server first encoding parameters for a first set of video streams based on a first current bandwidth capacity for a network and based on a first current window size of a receive buffer of the media device, and transmitting the first set of video streams from the server to the media device. The method includes selecting by the server second encoding parameters for a second set of video streams based on a second current bandwidth capacity for the network based on a second current window size of the buffer. The first current bandwidth capacity is different from the second current bandwidth capacity or the first window size is different from the second current window size. The method includes transmitting the second set of video streams from the server to the media device.

Abstract: A content moving device which enables providing content stored on a first user device, such as a DVR, in a first format and resolution to be provided to a second user device, such as a portable media player (PMP) in a second format and resolution. The content moving device identifies content on the first user device as candidate content which may be desired by the PMP and receives the candidate content from the DVR. The content moving device transcodes the candidate content at times independent of a request from the PMP for the content. The content moving device may provide a list of available transcoded content to the PMP for selection, and provide selected content to the PMP. The content moving device may also provide information relating to any protection schemes of the content provided to the PMP, such as DRM rights and decryption keys.

Abstract: A digital media distribution device that includes an encoder, a decoder coupled to the encoder, and a transcoder coupled to the decoder. The encoder is configured to encode input data that is received by the digital media distribution device into a first data format. The decoder is configured to decode output data to be output by the digital media distribution device. The transcoder is configured to convert the encoded input data from the first data format into a second data format. The digital media distribution device is configured to be coupled to a computer network.

Abstract: An example method includes requesting a data stream using a buffer with an initial maximum window size for buffering received data associated with the requested data stream, receiving into the buffer one or more data segments associated with the data stream, removing from the buffer one or more data segments for use by a receiving device, and determining a current window size of the buffer, wherein the current window size is equal to the maximum window size less any data segments which have been received that have not been removed from the buffer. The method further includes comparing the current window size to a predetermined threshold, and in response to determining that the current window size is less than the predetermined threshold, increasing the maximum window size, and initiating a buffer size increase timer having a current timer value and a timer expiration value.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, article of manufacture, and a memory structure for a CPT stream to a client device via an HTTP live streaming (HLS) protocol having a plurality of HLS media files is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises generating an HLS playlist specifying a plurality HLS media files before generating any of the HLS media files, wherein each of the plurality of HLS media files has a unique name, transmitting the HLS playlist to the client device, after generating the HLS playlist, transcoding the CPT stream into at least a subset of the plurality of HLS media files, and providing at least one of the subset of plurality of HLS media files to the client device, wherein the at least one of the plurality of HLS media files is a client-requested media file selected from the HLS playlist.

Abstract: A digital media distribution device that includes an encoder, a decoder coupled to the encoder, and a transcoder coupled to the decoder. The encoder is configured to encode input data that is received by the digital media distribution device into a first data format. The decoder is configured to decode output data to be output by the digital media distribution device. The transcoder is configured to convert the encoded input data from the first data format into a second data format. The digital media distribution device is configured to be coupled to a computer network.

Abstract: Data are received at a receiving device from a server, where the data are encoded into one of a plurality of different versions, each version having a different fidelity level. A data stream having a buffer with an initial maximum window size for buffering received data is requested from the server, wherein the data stream initially has a first fidelity level. The maximum window size is managed to prevent the current window size from falling below a threshold that might trigger an adjustment by the server in the fidelity level of the data stream sent by the server, unless and until the accumulation of data in the buffer due to a decrease in the present processing capabilities of the controller of the receiving device falls below a threshold of processing power necessary for processing the data stream at the higher fidelity level for more than a transitory period of time.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for streaming media content to a client device includes a server providing, for the client device, a variant playlist file that identifies a plurality of variant streams having different encoded bitrates; tracking sequence numbers of a first set of media segments downloaded by the client device from a first playlist file that corresponds to the first variant stream encoded at a first bitrate; receiving, from the client device, a request for a second playlist file that identifies a second set of media segments from a second variant stream encoded at a second bitrate; determining whether to identify, in the second playlist file, at least one media segment in the second set of media segments that has a same sequence number as any of the media segments, from the first variant stream, downloaded by the client device; and providing, to the client device, the second playlist file.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing streamed media to client devices includes providing, for a client device, a variant playlist file that identifies a plurality of variant streams each corresponding to a different encoding of the same presentation but each presenting the same content having the same duration; and receiving, from the client device, a first request to provide a first set of identifiers that directs the first client device to a first set of media segments from a first variant stream of the plurality of variant streams in the variant playlist file, wherein the first set of media segments corresponds to a first encoding. The method further includes, responsive to the first request, providing a second set of identifiers that directs the client device to a second set of media segments, which corresponds to a second encoding, to use in downloading a first portion of the content.

Abstract: A digital media distribution device that includes an encoder, a decoder coupled to the encoder, and a transcoder coupled to the decoder. The encoder is configured to encode input data that is received by the digital media distribution device into a first data format. The decoder is configured to decode output data to be output by the digital media distribution device. The transcoder is configured to convert the encoded input data from the first data format into a second data format. The digital media distribution device is configured to be coupled to a computer network.

Abstract: Methods and systems for a content server to select sets of video streams having different encoding parameters for transmitting the sets of video streams to a media device are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a method for transmitting video streams for a media program from a server to a media device includes: selecting, by the server, first encoding parameters including a first bitrate for a first set of video streams for the media program based on a first estimated bandwidth capacity for a network linking the server and the media device, transmitting the first set of video streams from the server to the media device, determining, by the server, second encoding parameters including a second bitrate for a second set of video streams for the media program, and transmitting the second set of video streams from the server to the media device.

Abstract: A method for transmitting video streams from a server to a media device includes selecting by the server first encoding parameters for a first set of video streams based on a first current bandwidth capacity for a network and based on a first current window size of a receive buffer of the media device, and transmitting the first set of video streams from the server to the media device. The method includes selecting by the server second encoding parameters for a second set of video streams based on a second current bandwidth capacity for the network based on a second current window size of the buffer. The first current bandwidth capacity is different from the second current bandwidth capacity or the first window size is different from the second current window size. The method includes transmitting the second set of video streams from the server to the media device.

Abstract: A digital media distribution device that includes an encoder, a decoder coupled to the encoder, and a transcoder coupled to the decoder. The encoder is configured to encode input data that is received by the digital media distribution device into a first data format. The decoder is configured to decode output data to be output by the digital media distribution device. The transcoder is configured to convert the encoded input data from the first data format into a second data format. The digital media distribution device is configured to be coupled to a computer network.

Abstract: A method, system, apparatus, article of manufacture, and computer program product provide the ability to non-destructively generate a file based master. A domestic source (having domestic audio and video content) with textless content (have portions of the domestic source that is devoid of text) is obtained. A localized source (e.g., localized audio-video) based on the domestic source is received. The localized video is compared to the domestic source to determine differences. The localized video is bladed and realigned with the domestic source. Metadata (of the differences) is transposed onto the domestic source. Texted portions in the domestic source are obscured with corresponding portions of the textless content. Texted material (based on the localized video and texted portions) is created. The localized video content and the textless content are discarded.

Abstract: Data are received at a receiving device from a server, where the data are encoded into one of a plurality of different versions, each version having a different fidelity level. A data stream having a buffer with an initial maximum window size for buffering received data is requested from the server, wherein the data stream initially has a first fidelity level. The maximum window size is managed to prevent the current window size from falling below a threshold that might trigger an adjustment by the server in the fidelity level of the data stream sent by the server, unless and until the accumulation of data in the buffer due to a decrease in the present processing capabilities of the controller of the receiving device falls below a threshold of processing power necessary for processing the data stream at the higher fidelity level for more than a transitory period of time.