System, device, and processes for intelligent start playback of program content

An automated process executable by a cloud-based digital video recorder (DVR), the cloud-based DVR in communication with a video player device over a network, the automated process comprising:

• recording, by the cloud-based DVR, a video playback file containing program content beginning at a start time associated with a DVR event file, wherein the video playback file includes commercial content between the start time of the DVR event file and an actual start time of the program content;
• generating, by the cloud-based DVR, a manifest file that contains a program marker of the actual start time of the program content, wherein the actual start time is after the commercial content;
• deleting, by the cloud-based DVR, extraneous content recorded in the video playback file before the actual start time set by the program marker to generate a smaller playback file, wherein the extraneous content includes the commercial content, wherein the smaller playback file has a smaller file size than the video playback file;
• operating the cloud-based DVR in a playback mode and selecting the program content for playback;
• and
• in response to selection of the program content, playing back the program content from the smaller playback file, wherein the smaller playback file begins at the start time set by the program marker contained in the manifest file.

A cloud-based digital video recorder apparatus in communication with a video player device over a network, comprising a processor and a memory, wherein the processor is configured to perform an automated process by executing digital instructions stored in the memory, wherein the automated process comprises:

• recording, by the cloud-based DVR, a video playback file containing program content beginning at a start time associated with a DVR event file, wherein the video playback file includes commercial content between the start time of the DVR event file and an actual start time of the program content;
• generating, by the cloud-based DVR, a manifest file that contains a program marker of the actual start time of the program content, wherein the actual start time is after the commercial content;
• deleting, by the cloud-based DVR, extraneous content recorded in the video playback file before the actual start time set by the program marker to generate a smaller playback file, wherein the extraneous content includes the commercial content, wherein the smaller playback file has a smaller file size than the video playback file;
• operating the cloud-based DVR in a playback mode and selecting the program content for playback;
• and
• in response to selection of the program content playing back the program content from the smaller playback file, wherein the smaller playback file begins at the start time set by the program marker contained in the manifest file.