Techniques for reducing streaming start latency

An electronic device for streaming audiovisual content, comprising:

• a storage device configured to store a video stream;
• and
• one or more processors in communication with the storage device configured to:
• detect a request from a client device to stream the video stream to the client device;
• transmit a reduced resolution version of the video stream to the client device in response to detection of the request;
• while the reduced resolution version of the video stream is transmitted to the client device:
• obtain a history of previous data transfers to the client device;
• determine, using the history of previous data transfers, a data transfer time based on an amount of time to determine an encryption key, determine a decryption key, and perform an encryption handshake with the client device,
• determine the encryption key and the decryption key;
• determine a point in time at which the client device will receive an encrypted version of the video stream based on the data transfer time to the client device;
• and
• transmit the decryption key and an indication of the point in time to the client device;
• generate the encrypted version of the video stream using the encryption key subsequent to transmission of the decryption key and the indication of the point in time to the client device;
• and
• transmit the encrypted version of the video stream to the client device at the point in time.

A method for reducing streaming start latency, comprising:

• acquiring a video stream encoded using a first coding format;
• generating a reduced resolution version of the video stream;
• transmitting the reduced resolution version of the video stream to a client device;
• while the reduced resolution version of the video stream is transmitted to the client device:
• determining a decryption key;
• determining a number of current data streams being received by the client device;
• determining a time delay window in which the client device transmits an encryption ready signal requesting transmission of an encrypted version of the video stream based on the number of current data streams being received by the client device;
• transmitting the decryption key and an indication of the time delay window to the client device before a start of the time delay window;
• detecting that the encryption ready signal was received from the client device during the time delay window;
• generating the encrypted version of the video stream encoded using a second coding format different from the first coding format subsequent to transmitting the decryption key to the client device;
• and
• transmitting the encrypted version of the video stream to the client device.