Abstract: A method and system for fast channel change (FCC) between multicast digital video feeds wherein each digital video feed is converted to a set of slotted multicasts, each having the same content but delayed in time relative to each other, metadata associated with the digital video feed and the slotted multicasts is published using an on-the-wire format to downstream client devices (e.g. set-top boxes), when a user selects the digital video feed (i.e. a new channel) the client device uses the metadata to select a slotted multicast that minimizes the total time to reach the next random access point (RAP) while allowing a maximum leave-join delay. Both a FCC server that generates the slotted multicasts and a FCC middleware on the client devices are connected to a common time reference, and the method and system provide for adjusting to clock drift on the FCC server relative to the common time reference.

Abstract: A method and system for fast channel change (FCC) between multicast digital video feeds wherein each digital video feed is converted to a set of slotted multicasts, each having the same content but delayed in time relative to each other, metadata associated with the digital video feed and the slotted multicasts is published using an on-the-wire format to downstream client devices (e.g. set-top boxes), when a user selects the digital video feed (i.e. a new channel) the client device uses the metadata to select a slotted multicast that minimizes the total time to reach the next random access point (RAP) while allowing a maximum leave-join delay. Both a FCC server that generates the slotted multicasts and a FCC middleware on the client devices are connected to a common time reference, and the method and system provide for adjusting to clock drift on the FCC server relative to the common time reference.