Patent ID: 9219940
Filing Date: 2015-12-22
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
1. A method of changing channels in a hybrid multicast video distribution environment, comprising the steps of: receiving, decoding and rendering a first multicast video stream on a display using a receiving device having a synchronization module; receiving an order for a channel change operation from the first multicast video stream to a second multicast video stream; responsively to the order and while receiving the second multicast video stream requesting a channel pack from a fast channel change server, the channel pack comprising an encoded segment of the second multicast video stream having an independently decodable frame and zero or more predicted frames of the second multicast video stream, wherein frame quality parameters of the encoded segment are less than frame quality parameters of a corresponding segment of the second multicast video stream; accepting the requested channel pack from the fast channel change server; decoding and rendering the encoded segment of the accepted channel pack on the display; in the synchronization module determining a PCR based time shift between a frame of the accepted channel pack and a corresponding frame of the second multicast video stream; requesting a new channel pack from the fast channel change server, and with the new channel pack again performing the steps of accepting the requested channel pack, decoding and rendering the encoded segment and iteratively determining a decreasing PCR based time shift at intervals that are less than a playback duration of corresponding segments of the second multicast video stream until the PCR based time shift is less than a predetermined value; and thereafter rendering the second multicast video stream on the display.