Importance

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Abstract

A protocol and interface provides continuous play over multiple clips for extended periods of time, allows a play-list to be edited dynamically after being given to the video server and during playback of clips in the play-list, allows some notion of 'current time' to be used during the streaming of continuous media data, and supports features of the 'Louth Automation' video disk communications protocol. Preferably, the client application first creates a session with a play-list containing a fixed number of entries; the number should be as small as possible consistent with the client's requirements. The client edits this play-list by appending the first few clips and then starts the session playing. Each time transmission of video data of a clip is completed, the clip is removed from the head of the play-list, all other clips are moved down, and a callback is issued to the client with the current, updated, play-list. A callback is also issued with the updated play-list to acknowledge each edit command. Preferably, there is a limit as to how close to air-time a clip normally may be deleted or new material inserted, in order to ensure continuity of transmission of the video stream of each clip. To allow live break-ins or other 'emergency' operations, however, the session may be paused and later resumed and subsequent clips may be 'trimmed' to reduce their play times to recover the time lost to the break-in.

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First Claim