A universal streaming server comprising: a network interface for receiving: a full-coverage video signal from a panoramic signal source; and definition of a preferred view region, and performance measurements, from a client device; and a content filter for extracting a partial-coverage signal from said full-coverage video signal according to said preferred view region; a flow controller comprising: means for determining a ratio of size of said partial-coverage signal to size of the full-coverage video signal; means for determining a current permissible flow rate of said partial-coverage signal based on said performance measurements and said ratio; an encoder for encoding said partial-coverage signal under said current permissible flow rate; characterized by the flow controller further comprising: means for communicating with a network controller to acquire a network path from the universal streaming server to said client device compatible with said current permissible flow rate; a transmitter for transmitting the encoded partial-coverage signal to the client device along the network path; and means for retaining an indication of a difference between said current permissible flow rate and a preceding permissible flow rate and, if said difference exceeds a predefined threshold, determining a succeeding permissible flow rate after a predefined delay period. a full-coverage video signal from a panoramic signal source; and definition of a preferred view region, and performance measurements, from a client device; and a content filter for extracting a partial-coverage signal from said full-coverage video signal according to said preferred view region; a flow controller comprising: means for determining a ratio of size of said partial-coverage signal to size of the full-coverage video signal; means for determining a current permissible flow rate of said partial-coverage signal based on said performance measurements and said ratio; an encoder for encoding said partial-coverage signal under said current permissible flow rate; characterized by the flow controller further comprising: means for communicating with a network controller to acquire a network path from the universal streaming server to said client device compatible with said current permissible flow rate; a transmitter for transmitting the encoded partial-coverage signal to the client device along the network path; and means for retaining an indication of a difference between said current permissible flow rate and a preceding permissible flow rate and, if said difference exceeds a predefined threshold, determining a succeeding permissible flow rate after a predefined delay period. means for determining a ratio of size of said partial-coverage signal to size of the full-coverage video signal; means for determining a current permissible flow rate of said partial-coverage signal based on said performance measurements and said ratio; an encoder for encoding said partial-coverage signal under said current permissible flow rate; characterized by the flow controller further comprising: means for communicating with a network controller to acquire a network path from the universal streaming server to said client device compatible with said current permissible flow rate; a transmitter for transmitting the encoded partial-coverage signal to the client device along the network path; and means for retaining an indication of a difference between said current permissible flow rate and a preceding permissible flow rate and, if said difference exceeds a predefined threshold, determining a succeeding permissible flow rate after a predefined delay period. means for communicating with a network controller to acquire a network path from the universal streaming server to said client device compatible with said current permissible flow rate; a transmitter for transmitting the encoded partial-coverage signal to the client device along the network path; and means for retaining an indication of a difference between said current permissible flow rate and a preceding permissible flow rate and, if said difference exceeds a predefined threshold, determining a succeeding permissible flow rate after a predefined delay period.