Abstract: A system for providing video playback comprises a processor configured to synchronize clocks on the plurality of devices to a standard time, provide target video playback positions to the plurality of devices, wherein target video playback positions are based at least in part on the timing information, provide one or more locators for video streams to the plurality of devices, monitor playback status for each of the plurality of devices, and for a device, determine whether the playback status for the device indicates that a selected bitrate is too low or too high or that the playback is fast or slow; in response to determining the selected bitrate is too low, indicate to select a higher bitrate for a device; and in response to determining the selected bitrate is too high, indicate to select a lower bitrate for the device.

Abstract: A system for providing video playback includes an interface and a processor. The interface is configured to receive a desired video playback request and receive a video content source switching request from a first video content source to a second video content source. The processor is configured to generate a not-all-I-frame first stream for the first video content source, generate an all-I-frame second stream and a not-all-I-frame second stream for the second video content source, switch from the not-all-I-frame first stream for the first video content source to the all-I-frame second stream for the second video content source, and switch from the all-I-frame second stream for the second video content source to the not-all-I-frame second stream for the second video content source on a next I-frame occurrence in the not-all-I-frame second stream for the second video content source.