Abstract: A client device implements a streaming client and a proxy server. The proxy server intercepts one or more playlist requests from the streaming client directed to one or more network servers external to the client device. Responsive to interception of a sliding-window playlist request of a particular type, the proxy server generates a corresponding on-demand playlist request. The intercepted sliding-window playlist request and the corresponding on-demand playlist request are sent from the proxy server to the one or more network servers. The proxy server receives an on-demand playlist from the one or more network servers responsive to the on-demand playlist request, and generates a local copy of the on-demand playlist. A current version of the local copy of the on-demand playlist is subsequently provided by the proxy server to the streaming client responsive to interception in the proxy server of a request from the streaming client for the on-demand playlist.

Abstract: A client device implements a streaming client and a proxy server. The proxy server intercepts one or more playlist requests from the streaming client directed to one or more network servers external to the client device. Responsive to interception of a sliding-window playlist request of a particular type, the proxy server generates a corresponding on-demand playlist request. The intercepted sliding-window playlist request and the corresponding on-demand playlist request are sent from the proxy server to the one or more network servers. The proxy server receives an on-demand playlist from the one or more network servers responsive to the on-demand playlist request, and generates a local copy of the on-demand playlist. A current version of the local copy of the on-demand playlist is subsequently provided by the proxy server to the streaming client responsive to interception in the proxy server of a request from the streaming client for the on-demand playlist.

Abstract: A media player or other type of client device is configured to obtain a plurality of playlists for a given item of media content from one or more servers over a network. The playlists comprise at least a sliding-window playlist and an on-demand playlist for the given item of media content with each such playlist identifying a plurality of media segments of the given item of media content. The client device comprises a playback module configured to play back portions of the given item of media content utilizing respective ones of the sliding-window and on-demand playlists. A navigation state machine controls switching of the playback module between playback of media segments from the sliding-window playlist and playback of media segments from the on-demand playlist responsive to user navigation within a timeline of the given item of media content using one or more navigational controls.

Abstract: A media player or other type of client device is configured to obtain a plurality of playlists for a given item of media content from one or more servers over a network. The playlists comprise at least a sliding-window playlist and an on-demand playlist for the given item of media content with each such playlist identifying a plurality of media segments of the given item of media content. The client device comprises a playback module configured to play back portions of the given item of media content utilizing respective ones of the sliding-window and on-demand playlists. A navigation state machine controls switching of the playback module between playback of media segments from the sliding-window playlist and playback of media segments from the on-demand playlist responsive to user navigation within a timeline of the given item of media content using one or more navigational controls.