System and method for effectuating fast channel change in an adpative streaming environment

A streaming server system, comprising:

• one or more processors;
• an encoder coupled to the one or more processors and operative to encode media content using multiple bit rates;
• a segmenter coupled to the one or more processors and operative to segment the encoded media content into segments of different size;
• a component configured for commencing, under control of the one or more processors, streaming of a media content at a stream access point (SAP) when a new stream of media content is requested by a client device disposed in an adaptive streaming environment;
• an error correction mechanism configured to be selectively disabled, under control of the one or more processors, for a period of time during initial transmission of the new stream to the client device;
• and
• a component configured for initially transmitting, under control of the one or more processors, the requested media content encoded at a select bit rate and segmented into shortest segments possible by the segmenter.

A method operative in a client device disposed in an adaptive streaming environment, the method comprising:

• when a new stream of media content is started, sending a request for transmission of media content encoded at a select bit rate;
• decoding and rendering the encoded media content immediately regardless of a buffer state associated with a video buffer of the client device that is operative for storing the encoded media content;
• and
• sending a request for streaming media content encoded at higher bit rates upon expiration of a specific period of time.

A client device, comprising:

• one or more processors;
• a channel change controller;
• and
• a streaming client module coupled to the one or more processors, wherein the streaming client module and the channel change controller include instructions executable by one or more processors and configured to:
• send a request for transmission of media content encoded at a select bit rate when a new stream of media content is started;
• decode and render the encoded media content immediately regardless of a buffer state associated with a video buffer of the client device that is operative for storing the encoded media content;
• and
• send a request for streaming media content encoded at higher bit rates upon expiration of a specific period of time.