Modified playback rate for portions of video content

1. A method comprising:

obtaining video content at a programmed processor;

the programmed processor generating a playback rate for each of multiple portions of the video content based on a predetermined playback rate obtained by the processor for each of the multiple portions, wherein generating the playback rate includes detecting whether dialog is present in one or more of the portions, and setting a playback rate for the one or more portions responsive to detection whether dialog is present in the one or more portions;

modifying the multiple portions of the video content via the programmed processor for playback, wherein each portion is modified in accordance with the generated playback rate which is variable for each of the portions; and

providing the modified multiple portions to a monitor device for playing the video content in accordance with the generated playback rate for each portion of the video content.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein generating a playback rate for each of multiple portions of the video content comprises accessing a table that includes identifications of portions of the video content and an associated playback rate.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the associated playback rate for each portion is determined according to user preferences for a type of scene in each portion.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein the associated playback rate for each portion is determined according to crowd sourced preference for a type of scene in each portion.

5. The method of claim 2 wherein the associated playback rate for a portion is determined by a producer of the portion.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein detecting whether dialog is present in one or more of the portions includes using speech recognition software to determine whether or not there is dialog in the one or more portions.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the generated playback rate is selected from skipping the portion, and varying between 1× and 2×.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the generated playback rate includes skipping a portion, wherein skipped portions comprise commercials.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein commercials are identified as a function of video content metadata identifying the commercials.

10. A method comprising:

obtaining video content;

determining a first length of time available for playback of the video content;

determining a second length of time for playback of the video content at a first rate, wherein the second length of time is longer than the first length of time;

generating a playback plan as a function of the first length of time and the second length of time, wherein the playback plan includes different rates of playback for different portions of the video content; and

providing the video content for playback in accordance with the playback plan, wherein the playback plan includes different rates of playback for different portions of the video content the playback of the video content to playback within the length of time available.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein generating a playback plan having different rates of playback for different portions of the video content comprises accessing a table that includes identifications of portions of the video content and an associated playback rate.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the associated playback rate for each portion is determined according to user preferences for a type of scene in each portion.

13. The method of claim 10 wherein generating a playback plan including different rates for different portions comprises:

detecting dialog in the portion; and

setting a playback rate responsive to detection of dialog in the portion.

14. The method of claim 10 wherein the different rates are selected from skipping the portion, and varying between 1× and 2×.

15. The method of claim 10 wherein the playback plan includes skipping a portion, wherein skipped portions comprise commercials.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein commercials are identified as a function of video content metadata identifying the commercials.

17. A system comprising:

a processor; and

a memory device having a program stored thereon for execution by the processor to:

obtain video content;

determine a first length of time available for playback of the video content;

determine a second length of time for playback of the video content at a first rate, wherein the second length of time is longer than the first length of time;

generate a playback plan as a function of the first length of time and the second length of time, wherein the playback plan includes different rates of playback for different portions of the video content; and

provide the video content for playback in accordance with the playback plan, wherein the playback plan includes different rates of playback for different portions of the video content the playback of the video content to playback within the length of time available.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein the playback plan having different rates of playback for different portions of the video content is generated by accessing a table that includes identifications of portions of the video content and an associated playback rate.

19. The system of claim 18 wherein the associated playback rate for each portion is determined according to user preferences for a type of scene in each portion, and wherein the different rates are selected from skipping the portion, and varying between 1× and 2×.

20. The system of claim 17 wherein the playback plan including different rates for different portions is generated by:

detecting dialog in the portion; and

setting a playback rate responsive to detection of dialog in the portion.