Apparatus and methods for recording a media stream for use by a rendering device. In one embodiment, a client device records live, unbound streaming media content from a Content Delivery Network. (CDN) in "chunks" according to a data structure such as a manifest file. The live media content stream chunks are compressed and stored for later playback. The client device uses information regarding the chunks to generate a local manifest file, which it then uses to reconstruct the media stream. A video client may also dynamically insert and account for updated secondary content (such as advertisements) during each playback instance, thus enabling the service provider to realize commercial opportunities which were previously not possible. Various operational/business rules are also disclosed for e.g., enabling and disabling functions with respect to playback of the content.
Methods and apparatus for automatically transitioning program delivery/reception between alternative sources, e.g., from a non-IP channel to an IP video source or between two alternative IP sources are described. The transition maybe triggered by a detected problem with the delivery via the non-IP channel or because of scheduled service. The transition may be in response to a command sent to a device or because the receiving device detects a problem with one of the content sources triggering an automatic switch to the alternative content source. In at least some embodiments the different content sources corresponding to different coding methods, e.g., with MPEG-2 encoded and packetized content being delivered by a non-IP content delivery channel and MPEG-4 being delivered using unicast IP content delivery techniques. The methods facilitate deployment of new services with IP content delivery being deployed initially on a regional basis with non-IP content delivery gradually being rolled out.
Apparatus and methods for delivery of content in a packetized network. In one embodiment, content and/or services can be associated with an IP address. The IP address may be assigned to multiple server devices disposed at geographically diverse locations. Delivery caches may advertise, via a routing protocol, one or more addresses to clients of the network. Route selection may be configured based on one or more rules such as geographical proximity, available bandwidth, server availability, server load, delivery cost, client subscription level, licensing rules, and/or other metric. Delivery caches may be configured to control their availability and/or load through IP address withdrawals and announcements. When the "closest'" delivery cache may become unavailable (e.g., it is not announcing the IP address for the content the client is trying to obtain, a route to the next "closest" available delivery cache may be utilized.
H04L 12/741 - Traitement de l'adressage d’en-tête pour le routage, p.ex. table de correspondance
H04N 21/236 - Assemblage d'un flux multiplexé, p.ex. flux de transport, en combinant un flux vidéo avec d'autres contenus ou données additionnelles, p.ex. insertion d'une adresse universelle [URL] dans un flux vidéo, multiplexage de données de logiciel dans un flu; Remultiplexage de flux multiplexés; Insertion de bits de remplissage dans le flux multiplexé, p.ex. pour obtenir un débit constant; Assemblage d'un flux élémentaire mis en paquets
H04N 21/61 - Structure physique de réseau; Traitement de signal
4.
SITUATION-DEPENDENT DYNAMIC BIT RATE ENCODING AND DISTRIBUTION OF CONTENT
An encoder resource receives segments of content on one or more data feeds. The encoder resource receives and/or produces encoder control information specifying multiple different bit rate data streams on which to encode the segments of content. As specified by the encoder control information, in accordance with encoding rules, the encoder resource adaptively encodes the segments of content into a varying number of different bit rate data streams. Clients in a network environment initiate retrieval of the varying number of different bit rate data streams to playback content.
H04N 21/2662 - Contrôle de la complexité du flux vidéo, p.ex. en mettant à l'échelle la résolution ou le débit binaire du flux vidéo en fonction des capacités du client
H04N 21/238 - Interfaçage de la voie descendante du réseau de transmission, p.ex. adaptation du débit de transmission d'un flux vidéo à la bande passante du réseau; Traitement de flux multiplexés
A content delivery resource in a cable network receives a request for specified content. The content delivery resource retrieves profile information assigned to the subscriber domain. The profile information indicates multiple different playback formats assigned to the subscriber domain. To service the request, the content delivery resource utilizes the profile information associated with the subscriber domain to select versions of the specified content encoded in accordance with the multiple different playback formats. The content delivery resource then initiates transmission of the versions of the specified content in the multiple different playback formats to the subscriber domain for playback on multiple types of playback devices.
A wireless access point employs a wireless configuration database for retrieving a stored wireless profile corresponding to a subscriber device from a remote location that enables the user to establish an Internet connection using their subscriber device with the same network identifiers and settings employed from the home wireless profile. The network identifier is typically an SSID (Service Set Identification), and labels the wireless configuration using a mnemonic name familiar to the user. The wireless configuration also denotes authentication and security (passphrase) tokens required for access, and would therefore enable the user to sign on at the remote wireless access point using the passphrase already known from their home WiFi arrangement. Subsequent attempts automatically establishing a connection to the subscriber device upon detection and authentication using the retrieved wireless profile without broadcasting an open SSID receivable by other wireless devices within range.
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