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: 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: 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: An interlocking tile includes a top surface, a bottom surface, and marginal faces disposed along a perimeter of the top surface. The tile also includes at least one male coupler disposed on a first marginal face and at least one female coupler extending from the bottom surface and disposed on a second marginal face. The at least one female coupler includes an arm, the arm comprising a first notch for engaging with a corresponding male coupler of an adjacent tile at a first position, and a second notch for engaging with the corresponding male coupler of the adjacent tile at a second position.

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, 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: 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: 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, two or more files are processed that each represent, in a streaming format, a portion of a media item. A file download facility at a user device can download the two or more processed files as if they were a single file.

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, a video is downloaded to a mobile device. The video includes a TV show and commercials embedded within the TV show. The video is stored persistently on the mobile device. At least part of the video is played on the mobile device while the device is offline. Metadata is stored on the mobile device that indicates an expiry applicable to at least one of the commercials embedded in the video. The mobile device performs an action at a time related to the expiry.

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.