Abstract: A media experience policy engine includes three components: an information manager, a policy evaluator, and an enforcement module. The information manager collects information regarding the current state of a media delivery system, such as, for example, usage of a CPU, memory, hard disk, (I/O) interface, and a network. This collected data is then verified by the policy evaluator to see if resource contention is, or is close to, occurring. If so, existing or potential conflicts are dealt with by the enforcement module, which applies corrections, such as, for example, limiting the access of later chronologic users, or degrading the user experience of all users, in accordance with a desired policy in order to vitiate the resource contention and maintain a user experience consistent with the desired policy.

Abstract: The purchase of entertainment content online via advertising credits is disclosed herein. One disclosed embodiment comprises providing an advertising content item to a user over a network, and awarding an amount of advertising viewing credit to the user based upon the advertising content item provided to the user. Next, a request is received from the user to view an entertainment content item. In response, the entertainment content item is provided to the user, and at least a portion of the advertising viewing credit is deducted in exchange for providing the entertainment content item.

Abstract: Program code enabling the streaming of HD content in real-time to a game console is stored on a storage medium remote from the game console. The game console executes software that facilitates transfer of the program code from the remote storage medium to the game console. The program code ensures that sufficient bandwidth exists on a network between the game console and a HD tuner, and enables the streaming of HD content in real-time to the game console.

Abstract: An intelligent multi-sending of data stream segments is disclosed. One embodiment comprises monitoring one or more variable data transmission parameters, detecting one or more invariant media data segment parameters, assigning a value to the media data segment based upon the one or more invariant media data segment parameters and the one or more variable data transmission parameters, comparing the value to a threshold, and sending multiple copies of the media data segment over a network link to a media receiver if the value is above the threshold.

Abstract: An intelligent retransmission of data stream segments is disclosed. One embodiment comprises detecting a missing media data segment at a media receiver, assigning a value to the missing media data segment based upon media playback consequences of not utilizing the missing media data segment, comparing the value with a threshold, and requesting retransmission of the missing media data segment from a media server if the value meets a predetermined condition relative to the threshold. In this manner, retransmission is requested when it is determined that retransmission will improve playback performance relative to non-retransmission.

Abstract: The real-time generation of key frames in a media data stream is disclosed. One embodiment provides a method of processing encoded media data comprising receiving a request to play back the encoded media data from a media receiver, generating one or more key frames from the encoded media data, and sending the generated key frame or key frames to the media receiver. The key frames are generated by decoding the media data, and then encoding the key frames from the decoded media data. In this manner, a frequency of key frames in a media data stream may be increased to improve trick mode and 1× playback.

Abstract: Partial content syncing in a network media receiver is disclosed. One embodiment comprises identifying available cache space on the media receiver, detecting a media data file to be downloaded from a media server, and pre-buffering a portion of the media data on the media receiver prior to selection of the media data file for playback. In this manner, substantially glitch-free playback of a media data file may be started with little delay and with relatively little local storage.

Abstract: The scaling of a user interface according to network or device limitations is disclosed. One embodiment provides a method of scaling a user interface, comprising sending a user interface over a network to a networked device, detecting a performance limitation of the user interface in at least one of the network or the networked device, and scaling a parameter of the user interface in response to the detected limitation to improve the performance of the user interface. In this manner, a user interface may be scaled in response to limitations on performance and end-user experience can be improved.

Abstract: The real-time generation of key frames in a media data stream is disclosed. One embodiment provides a method of processing encoded media data comprising receiving a request to play back the encoded media data from a media receiver, generating one or more key frames from the encoded media data, and sending the generated key frame or key frames to the media receiver. The key frames are generated by decoding the media data, and then encoding the key frames from the decoded media data. In this manner, a frequency of key frames in a media data stream may be increased to improve trick mode and 1× playback.

Abstract: The multi-location buffering of streaming media data is disclosed. One embodiment comprises buffering a first segment of media data associated with a current playback location, and buffering a second segment of media data associated with a seek point separated from the first segment of media data by a segment of unbuffered data. In this manner, data at seek points in the media stream may be buffered before a user requests a seek operation. Playback at a seek point may therefore begin with lessened or no perceived lag when a user inputs a seek command.

Abstract: The recording of digital media according to one or more of playback device capabilities, network performance and user preference is disclosed. One embodiment provides a method for recording digital video comprising determining a first set of capabilities of a first networked playback device, receiving media in at least one of a first format and a first bit rate, and recording the media in at least one of a second format and a second bit rate according to the first set of capabilities. In this manner, playback considerations may be incorporated while the digital media is recorded, thus improving the playback of the digital media at a later time.

Abstract: Described herein is technology for, among other uses, performing playback of dynamic content using protocols designed for playback of fixed-length files. The technology involves strategically updating the duration of the content during playback under various conditions. During playback, as the playback position approaches the duration, the duration is refreshed. Also, during playback the rate at which the duration is increasing is used to predict the duration and thus smoothly report the duration to the user. Upon receiving a seek request, if the request is beyond the current duration, the duration will be refreshed to avoid unnecessarily limiting the seek request.

Abstract: Described herein is technology for, among other things, improving playback of media streams by maximizing bandwidth utilization. The technology may be implemented via a remote playback device on a network. It involves monitoring requests for portions of streaming media content and the associated responses to the requests and then adjusting request parameters to more effectively utilize available bandwidth. The effective available bandwidth may be controlled by moderating requests in order to induce behavior favorable to media streaming in the flow control mechanisms which control the amount of data sent in response to a request.

Abstract: Described herein is technology for, among other things, performing playback in resource-limited environments. The technology involves identifying one or more primary streams and one or more secondary streams of a piece of media content based on the media content itself and/or on the particular playback scenario and then modifying playback and streaming parameters accordingly. The one or more primary streams may then be given priority in order to ensure a satisfactory playback experience. The playback characteristics, the one or more primary streams of the media content, and the resources available in the playback environment can be monitored and changed throughout playback. Both the device streaming and the device receiving the content may communicate to further optimize playback.

Abstract: Adjusting media streaming parameters of a media streaming device and media playback parameters of a media playback device is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system probes a network infrastructure to determine a network type, a playback device type, a streaming device type, a media content type, a preroll duration, and a playback device buffer size. Based upon these streaming and playback conditions, values of streaming parameters of a streaming device and values of playback parameters of a playback device are determined. Streaming parameters include the aggressiveness of the network transmitter, the slope of the transmit rate ramp-up, and the maximum transmit rate. Playback parameters include the amount of data prerolled by the playback device. The aforementioned values are sent to streaming and playback device control systems to control the streaming and the playback of the media, during and/or before playback.

Abstract: Transrate/transcode functionality of media processing units in devices distributed within a networked media system are harnessed to enable media streaming to devices across networks while overcoming insufficient bandwidth to transmit the source content or while providing reformatted media to devices that do not support the source format. A policy engine may reallocate media processing resources for greater efficiency. The policy engine may further schedule time-slicing of media segments in available hardware and software-based codecs. Time-slicing may be used to transformatively process one or more media streams across potentially multiple media processing units connected within a network. The media streams are divided into independently processable segments based upon knowledge of underlying media formats. Processing requirements and a priority processing order may be determined for and assigned to each independently processable segment.

Abstract: A media server in a home entertainment network coordinates with a media player connected with the network to provide a media presentation with a combined user interface (UI) on an attached display device. Media content is sourced locally on a networked media player. The media player extracts metadata related to the media content and transmits the metadata to the media server. The media server creates the UI to include components related to the media content rendered by the media player. The media server then transmits the UI to the media player for combination with the rendered media content for a composite output to a presentation device. The media server may further develop and transmit compositing instructions and additional media content to the media player for inclusion in the composite output.

Abstract: A home entertainment network transmits audio/video decrypted from a DVD over a network to a media receiver using a secure channel. The A/V data is re-encrypted in a second encryption format amenable to transmission over the network. The media stream is thereby compliant with copy protection and digital rights management requirements. The media server constructs an emulated user interface corresponding to an actual instantiation of a navigation menu on the media server to solicit user input at the media receiver. The media server alternatively constructs a unique identifier of the DVD based upon the file structure on the DVD to search for menu navigation commands over an external network for heuristic navigation control.

Abstract: A media server in a home entertainment network coordinates with a media receiver connected with the network to provide a media representation with a combined user interface on an attached display device. The media server receives compositing information from the media receiver over the network regarding the placemement of UI components generated by the media receiver. In response, the media server may adjust the positioning of graphics, media control information, metadata, media presentation windows, and other UI components for presentation by the media receiver such that the UI components generated by the media server do not interfere with the UI generated by the media receiver when rendered to the display device. Alternately, the media receiver may adjust the position of UI components such that the UI components generated by the media receiver do not interfere with the UI generated by the media server upon presentation.

Abstract: A media server in the home entertainment network allows a media rendering devices to act as a digital media receiver. The media server enables trick mode functions such as scan forward or reverse, slow motion, pause, and seek on rendering devices with capabilities limited to 1× playback. The media server receives commands from user input at the rendering device transmitted over the network to the media server. The media server manipulates the media stream before the transmission over the network by deleting or adding frames to the media stream as necessary to emulate the desired playback functions and replacing frame timestamps to create a media stream that appears to the media rendering device as a sequential 1× stream. The transmitted media stream may not contain all of the media content stored in the corresponding media file on the media server, thus avoiding limitations on the download bandwidth and local client storage.