Abstract: Devices, systems and methods that measure at least one of the latency and the jitter experienced over a defined portion of a path between a sending device and a receiving device. A network monitoring unit is located between the sending and receiving devices, and monitors packets exchanged between the two to measure the latency and/or jitter.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods that determine both the existence of, and location where, packets were dropped in transit between a sending device and a receiving device. A network monitoring unit is located between the sending and receiving devices, and monitors packets exchanged between the two to determine the location where packets were dropped.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods that identify and mark traffic intended to pass through a network with low latency relative to other traffic through the network. The devices, systems, and methods may include a first low latency DOCSIS (LLD) agent that identifies characteristics of low latency packets and/or a second LLD agent that uses the characteristics to identify low latency traffic and mark it for low latency treatment in the network.

Abstract: A method of video encoding is provided to reduce the cost of network DVR storage by building on a concept of Just-In Time (JIT) transcoding which eliminates storing all formats of content in a DVR. A super-encoding procedure is provided that encodes a high resolution format, such as HEVC, while metadata is provided for lower resolution formats, such as MPEG4. The metadata can include items like motion vectors to reduce the computational costs during JIT transcoding. The super-encoded data is stored in memory of the DVR. High resolution encoded data is read directly out of the DVR memory, while lower resolutions are transcoded from the DVR memory data using the metadata to increase efficiency.

Abstract: A method is disclosed that includes: receiving, via a network digital video recorder, a request to record requested content; receiving, via a network digital video recorder at a first time, the requested content in a first format and the requested content in a second format; storing, via the network digital video recorder, the requested content in the first format; storing, via the network digital video recorder, the requested content in the second format; deleting, from network digital video recorder, the requested content in the second format after a predetermined time period; and transcoding, via an on demand transcoder, the requested content in the first format to the requested content in a third format after the predetermined time period.

Abstract: A method is disclosed that includes: receiving, via a network digital video recorder, a request to record requested content; receiving, via a network digital video recorder at a first time, the requested content in a first format and the requested content in a second format; storing, via the network digital video recorder, the requested content in the first format; storing, via the network digital video recorder, the requested content in the second format; deleting, from network digital video recorder, the requested content in the second format after a predetermined time period; and transcoding, via an on demand transcoder, the requested content in the first format to the requested content in a third format after the predetermined time period.

Abstract: A method is disclosed that includes: receiving, via a network digital video recorder, a request to record requested content; receiving, via a network digital video recorder at a first time, the requested content in a first format and the requested content in a second format; storing, via the network digital video recorder, the requested content in the first format; storing, via the network digital video recorder, the requested content in the second format; deleting, from network digital video recorder, the requested content in the second format after a predetermined time period; and transcoding, via an on demand transcoder, the requested content in the first format to the requested content in a third format after the predetermined time period.

Abstract: A method of video encoding is provided to reduce the cost of network DVR storage by building on a concept of Just-In Time (JIT) transcoding which eliminates storing all formats of content in a DVR. A super-encoding procedure is provided that encodes a high resolution format, such as HEVC, while metadata is provided for lower resolution formats, such as MPEG4. The metadata can include items like motion vectors to reduce the computational costs during JIT transcoding. The super-encoded data is stored in memory of the DVR. High resolution encoded data is read directly out of the DVR memory, while lower resolutions are transcoded from the DVR memory data using the metadata to increase efficiency.

Abstract: A method is disclosed that includes: receiving, via a network digital video recorder, a request to record requested content; receiving, via a network digital video recorder at a first time, the requested content in a first format and the requested content in a second format; storing, via the network digital video recorder, the requested content in the first format; storing, via the network digital video recorder, the requested content in the second format; deleting, from network digital video recorder, the requested content in the second format after a predetermined time period; and transcoding, via an on demand transcoder, the requested content in the first format to the requested content in a third format after the predetermined time period.

Abstract: A method of distributing video program material, includes receiving a first multi-program transport stream (MPTS) containing multiple video services and distribution constraint data specifying at least one of the video services, and creating a second transport stream that contains at least the specified video service and complies with at least one constraint specified in the distribution constraint.

Abstract: A method of distributing video program material includes encoding the program material in accordance with a first distribution constraint (CBR) to produce a first stream (A), encoding the program material in accordance with a second distribution constraint, which is more relaxed that the first distribution constraint, to produce a second stream (B), and employing the first and second streams to produce a third stream (C) representing differences between the first and second streams.

Abstract: In embodiments of algorithmic media stream selection, a media routing device (120) receives media content (106) from a content distributor (202) and streams the media content to a media playback device (122). The media routing device can receive a request for a media content stream (110) from the media playback device, and select a substitute media content stream (112) for distribution to the media playback device based on one or more variable parameters. The media routing device then forwards the request to the content distributor for the substitute media content stream, and receives the substitute media content stream from the content distributor. The media routing device is implemented to then identify the substitute media content stream as the requested media content stream, and communicate the substitute media content stream to the media playback device for playback as the requested media content stream.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for encoding a video signal stream. The method includes receiving a video signal stream, identifying a plurality of individual segments within the video signal stream and encoding, off-line, recurring ones of the individual segments that recur with at least a first frequency to produce encoded recurring segments. The video signal stream is also encoded in real-time to generate a real-time encoded video stream. Segments in the real-time encoded video stream are replaced with their corresponding encoded recurring segments to thereby produce an encoded video output stream that includes some segments encoded in real-time and other segments encoded off-line.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for distributing a content stream from a headend to a subscriber terminal is described. In one example, the content stream is processed at the headend to generate a sequence of instances having successively staggered reference frames. A request for the content streams is received from the subscriber terminal at an initial time. In response to the request, an instance from the sequence of instances having the first reference frame after the initial time is selected. The selected instance is transmitted towards the subscriber terminal.

Abstract: A method of distributing video program material includes encoding the program material in accordance with a first distribution constraint (CBR) to produce a first stream (A), encoding the program material in accordance with a second distribution constraint, which is more relaxed that the first distribution constraint, to produce a second stream (B), and employing the first and second streams to produce a third stream (C) representing differences between the first and second streams.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for encoding a video signal stream. The method includes receiving a video signal stream, identifying a plurality of individual segments within the video signal stream and encoding, off-line, recurring ones of the individual segments that recur with at least a first frequency to produce encoded recurring segments. The video signal stream is also encoded in real-time to generate a real-time encoded video stream. Segments in the real-time encoded video stream are replaced with their corresponding encoded recurring segments to thereby produce an encoded video output stream that includes some segments encoded in real-time and other segments encoded off-line.

Abstract: A method of distributing video program material, includes receiving a first multi-program transport stream (MPTS) containing multiple video services and distribution constraint data specifying at least one of the video services, and creating a second transport stream that contains at least the specified video service and complies with at least one constraint specified in the distribution constraint.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing bandwidth of video and data over DSL is disclosed. Incoming packets of data are first inspected to determine if the data is video data or other (non-video) data. The video data is further analyzed to determine if it is intended for real-time delivery to the subscriber or if the video data is intended for viewing at a later time by the subscriber. Video data intended for real-time delivery to the subscriber is re-compressed to optimize the video quality. Statistical multiplexing is performed on the video data for real-time delivery, the video data for viewing at a later time, and the non-video data. The bandwidth needs for the video data for real-time delivery, the video data for viewing at a later time, and the non-video data are all evaluated.

Abstract: A method is disclosed that includes: receiving, via a network digital video recorder, a request to record requested content; receiving, via a network digital video recorder at a first time, the requested content in a first format and the requested content in a second format; storing, via the network digital video recorder, the requested content in the first format; storing, via the network digital video recorder, the requested content in the second format; deleting, from network digital video recorder, the requested content in the second format after a predetermined time period; and transcoding, via an on demand transcoder, the requested content in the first format to the requested content in a third format after the predetermined time period.