A method carried-out utilizing a playback device, which receives video content for presentation to an end user via a display device, the method comprising: while engaged in playback of the video content, receiving a user command at the playback device to shift a current playback position of the video content to a default search playback position, PP D s, corresponding to the user-entered search command; in response to receipt of the user command, searching a time window encompassing the default search playback position, PP D s, for a key scene change in the video content; if locating a key scene change within the time window, shifting playback of the video content to a playback position corresponding to the key scene change, PPs T, the key scene change being identifiable via a computer-readable marker embedded in the video content; if not locating a key scene change in the time window, shifting playback of the video content to the default search playback position, PP D s,; and if multiple key scene changes are equally close in time to the default search playback position, PP D s, the playback device shifts the playback position to the key scene change occurring prior to the default search playback position PP D s if the user is searching in a backward time direction, and to the key scene change occurring after the default search playback position PPDs if the user is searching in a forward time direction; the method further comprising, prior to searching the time window, determining: a start time, Ws, of the time window occurring X seconds prior to the default search playback position, PP D s; and an end time, W E, of the time window occurring Y seconds following the default search playback position, PP D s; wherein the value of X and Y is increased based upon user actions in a recent search history comprising repeatedly searching a segment of the video content and continuing to search the video content in a short period of time. while engaged in playback of the video content, receiving a user command at the playback device to shift a current playback position of the video content to a default search playback position, PP D s, corresponding to the user-entered search command; in response to receipt of the user command, searching a time window encompassing the default search playback position, PP D s, for a key scene change in the video content; if locating a key scene change within the time window, shifting playback of the video content to a playback position corresponding to the key scene change, PPs T, the key scene change being identifiable via a computer-readable marker embedded in the video content; if not locating a key scene change in the time window, shifting playback of the video content to the default search playback position, PP D s,; and if multiple key scene changes are equally close in time to the default search playback position, PP D s, the playback device shifts the playback position to the key scene change occurring prior to the default search playback position PP D s if the user is searching in a backward time direction, and to the key scene change occurring after the default search playback position PPDs if the user is searching in a forward time direction; a start time, Ws, of the time window occurring X seconds prior to the default search playback position, PP D s; and an end time, W E, of the time window occurring Y seconds following the default search playback position, PP D s;