Method of buffer management for synchronization of correlated media presentations

A first media device for presentation of a first media presentation in coordination with a second media presentation on a second device comprising:

• a processor for:
• comparing the time elapsed during presentation of a portion of the first media presentation with an amount of time associated with the portion of the first media presentation;
• and
• responsive to a determination that the difference between the time elapsed during presentation of the portion of the first media presentation and the amount of time associated with the portion of the first media presentation exceeds a threshold, performing the steps of:
• comparing the buffer status of the first media presentation at the first device with a buffer status of the second media presentation at the second device;
• and
• responsive to a determination that the buffer for the first media presentation on the first device is fuller than the buffer for the second media presentation on the second device, adjusting playback of the first media presentation on the first device.

A method for coordinating presentation of a first media presentation at a first device and a second media presentation at a second device comprising the steps of:

• comparing the time elapsed during presentation of a portion of the first media presentation with an amount of time associated with the portion of the first media presentation;
• responsive to a determination that the difference between the time elapsed during presentation of the portion of the first media presentation and the amount of time associated with the portion of the first media presentation exceeds a threshold, performing the steps of:
• comparing the buffer status of the first media presentation at the first device with a buffer status of the second media presentation at the second device;
• comparing the playback position of the first media presentation at the first device with the playback position of the second media presentation at the second device;
• and
• responsive to determinations that the buffer for the first media presentation on the first device is less full than the buffer for the second media presentation on the second device, and that the playback position of the first device is ahead of the playback position of the second device, pausing playback for a time selected based upon the difference between the playback position of the first media presentation at the first device and the playback position of the second media presentation at the second device.