Time-Synchronized Live Feed Switching with Playback Offset Metadata
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems fail to synchronize playback time locations across different live feeds when a user switches between them, leading to missed or repeated content due to differing network latencies and lack of time synchronization.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method that utilizes time synchronization metadata to adjust playback timing, allowing seamless switching between live feeds by aligning the playback time of different feeds to the same event time, even when they are not inherently synchronized.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If live feeds are switched between without time synchronization, then switching is simple and fast, but playback time locations become desynchronized causing content gaps or repetitions
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by retrieving time synchronization metadata (such as PTS - presentation time stamps) for the target live feed before switching occurs. This advance preparation allows the media player to calculate the correct playback time offset and position itself appropriately in the new feed, ensuring seamless transitions without content gaps or repetitions while maintaining fast switching performance
2Reliability
If manual time adjustment is required for feed switching, then time synchronization can be maintained, but user operation becomes complex and cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The media player performs self-service by automatically retrieving time synchronization metadata, calculating appropriate playback offsets, and positioning itself correctly in the target feed without requiring any manual intervention from the user. The system autonomously handles the complex time synchronization logic, presenting a simple user experience where feeds can be switched with a single action while maintaining perfect time alignment
3Reliability
If time synchronization metadata is retrieved and processed for each feed switch, then playback time alignment is achieved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces time synchronization metadata (such as PTS - presentation time stamps) as an intermediary element that carries timing information between different live feeds. This metadata acts as a mediator that enables the media player to align playback times across feeds without requiring complex real-time synchronization protocols or heavy computational overhead, thus achieving reliable time alignment with manageable system complexity
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for a time synchronized switch across live feeds and channels in a media player application are described. According to some embodiments, a computer-implemented method includes displaying, on a client device, a first live stream of an event, that is still in progress, at a time-shifted time of the event relative to a known time of the event, receiving, from a user interface of the client device, a request to switch to a second live stream of the event, determining, by the client device, a time differential between the time-shifted time of the first live stream and the known time of the event, and displaying, on the client device, the second live stream beginning at a time that is time shifted by the time differential.