Abstract: Methods and apparatuses to manage network resources across a group of playback devices that share the same resources to control video quality across the group of playback devices are provided. A central controller collects information about a plurality of playback devices wherein the playback devices share a network resource. The central controller also collects information regarding the network resource. The central controller allocates the network resource to deliver one or more requested video segments to one or more playback devices based on the information collected from the plurality of playback devices and the information collected regarding the network resource. By providing a central controller that is aware of the available network resources and the needs of the playback devices, the network resource can be managed in a way that improves the quality of experience for end users across all the playback devices while maximizing the efficiency of the network resources.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for monitoring the state of a HTTP session between a client and a server and managing the session utilizing a session server independent of the client or server configurations are provided. Using the session information gathered from the session server, system resources that may have been reserved for quality of service considerations can be released independent of client or server configurations. The method and apparatuses disclosed can be used for HTTP streaming of live broadcasts or prerecorded content, for example.