Video distribution system including progressive playback

A system for progressive playback of a media file, comprising:

• a media server;
• a client;
• and
• a network;
• wherein the client and the media server are configured to communicate via the network;
• wherein the client is configured to send requests for at least one portion of the media file to the media server;
• wherein the server is configured to provide requested portions of the media file to the client;
• and
• wherein the client is configured to receive user instructions concerning the playback of the media file and to request portions of the media file that have not been downloaded and that are required to comply with the playback instructions from the media server.

A media player, comprising:

• a user interface configured to receive user instructions;
• a storage device configured to store at least one media file;
• a network connection;
• a download manager configured to asynchronously request at least one byte range of a file from a remotely stored media file via the network connection;
• a playback engine configured to determine portions of a remotely stored media file that must be downloaded in response to user instructions received via the user interface;
• and
• a file parser configured to translate requests for portions of a remotely stored media file to byte ranges and to provide the byte ranges to the download manager.