A method and apparatus for dynamic 
quality adjustment based on changing streaming constraints is provided. According to one aspect of the present invention, a video 
stream is sent to a 
client according to a set of streaming constraints. At least a subset of the video information in the video 
stream is sent from a first source. Next, a 
signal is received indicating a relaxation of streaming constraints corresponding to the video 
stream. In one embodiment, the 
signal is a freeze frame 
signal. In another embodiment, the signal is a 
slow motion signal. In response to the signal, a set of improved quality video information from a 
second source is accessed and sent to the 
client. According to one embodiment, the set of improved quality video information comprises a still image. According to another embodiment, the set of improved quality video information comprises a set of preprocessed video information ready to be streamed. As a result of the techniques described herein, an improved quality visual image is available for presentation on the 
client and, consequently, when a viewer requests a presentation rate that reduces the streaming constraints on a 
video streaming service, the improved quality video information may be sent using the freed-up portion of the bandwidth previously allocated to the client.