Contextually aware client buffer thresholds
Client buffer thresholds are dynamically adjusted to provide quick start up and smooth playback in a variety of network conditions. In some examples, multiple buffer configurations are available. An initial buffer configuration may be used in typical circumstances and will yield good behavior in most cases. A modified buffer configuration can be used when limited available network resources prevent smooth playback. In some embodiments, a client buffer configuration is continuously adapted based on network throughput and data transfer rates.
1. A method, comprising:
sending a first request to a content server for a media stream;
establishing an initial playback buffer;
receiving a first quality level media stream in the initial playback buffer;
beginning playback of the first quality level media stream after the initial playback threshold in the initial playback buffer is reached;
sending a second request to the content server for a second quality level media stream after an initial quality threshold in the initial playback buffer is reached;
wherein a modified playback buffer is established if the initial playback buffer depletes, wherein the modified playback buffer has a modified playback threshold higher than the initial playback threshold.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second quality level media stream delivers the same content as the first quality level media stream but at a lower bit rate.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second quality level media stream delivers the same content as the first quality level media stream but at a higher bit rate.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein a third request is sent to the content server for a third quality level media stream after a modified quality threshold in the modified playback buffer is reached.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first quality level media stream comprises a first fragment encoded at a first bit rate.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the first fragment including a first fragment number and a box structure supporting synchronization information, chapter information, and end of file information.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein synchronization information is used to synchronize audio and video when playback entails starting in the middle of a stream.
8. The method of claim 6 , wherein the second quality level media stream comprises a second fragment encoded at a second bit rate.
9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the second fragment including a second fragment number and a box structure supporting synchronization information, chapter information, and end of file information, wherein the second fragment number is derived from the first fragment number.
10. The method of claim 5 , wherein the first fragment number corresponds to a time index for a near live media program.
11. A system, comprising:
an interface operable to send a first request to a content server for a media stream, wherein an initial playback buffer is established, wherein the interface is further operable to receive a first quality media stream in the initial playback buffer;
a processor operable to begin playback of the first quality level media stream after the initial playback threshold in the initial playback buffer is reached and send a second request to the content server for a second quality level media stream after an initial quality threshold in the initial playback buffer is reached;
wherein a modified playback buffer is established if the initial playback buffer depletes, wherein the modified playback buffer has a modified playback threshold higher than the initial playback threshold.
12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the second quality level media stream delivers the same content as the first quality level media stream but at a lower bit rate.
13. The system of claim 11 , wherein the second quality level media stream delivers the same content as the first quality level media stream but at a higher bit rate.
14. The system of claim 11 , wherein a third request is sent to the content server for a third quality level media stream after a modified quality threshold in the modified playback buffer is reached.
15. The system of claim 11 , wherein the first quality level media stream comprises a first fragment encoded at a first bit rate.
16. The system of claim 15 , wherein the first fragment including a first fragment number and a box structure supporting synchronization information, chapter information, and end of file information.
17. The system of claim 16 , wherein synchronization information is used to synchronize audio and video when playback entails starting in the middle of a stream.
18. The system of claim 16 , wherein the second quality level media stream comprises a second fragment encoded at a second bit rate.
19. The system of claim 18 , wherein the second fragment including a second fragment number and a box structure supporting synchronization information, chapter information, and end of file information, wherein the second fragment number is derived from the first fragment number.
20. The method of claim 15 , wherein the first fragment number corresponds to a time index for a near live media program.