Abstract: A scheme for retrieving digital multimedia content from a network node. A message is provided to the network node by a client application executing on a digital multimedia device, wherein the message includes a multidimensional pointer to a depository of digital multimedia content associated with the network node as well as a timing parameter operable to indicate when the message is to take effect. The multidimensional pointer contains a relative time offset variable as well as a plurality of media identifier dimensions corresponding to a plurality of nested hierarchical levels into which the digital multimedia content is organized. Responsive to the message, content from a particular content source identified by the multidimensional pointer is streamed to the digital multimedia device at a time indicated responsive to the timing parameter.

Abstract: A scheme for retrieving digital multimedia content from a network node. An RTSP SET_PARAMETER message is provided to the network node by a client application executing on a digital multimedia device, wherein the message contains at least one of a playlist identifier, a media clip index and an indication of an activation time. Responsive to the message, content from a particular content source identified by the playlist identifier, the media clip index, or both, is streamed to the digital multimedia device at a time determined responsive to the activation time.