Server, method and computer program product for adaptive streaming of media content to a client

Adaptive streaming client for receiving media content from a server, wherein the media content is encoded as at least two streams having a different quality level, each stream comprising consecutive segments, the client comprising:

• a rate determination component configured to determine the bandwidth between the server and the client and to select a quality level from the different quality levels of the at least two streams on the basis of the determined bandwidth;
• a transmitter configured to send a request to the server for a selected segment of a first stream, the first stream corresponding to the selected quality level;
• a receiver configured to receive the selected segment of the stream of the selected quality level sent by the server in response to said request, and to receive a pushed segment of a second stream of the at least two streams, wherein the second stream has a lower quality level than the first stream;
• and
• a playout component for playback of segments received by the receiver,
• wherein the client is configured to playback the pushed segment instead of the corresponding segment of the first stream if the bandwidth is below the previously determined bandwidth.

Method for receiving media content from a server by an adaptive streaming client, wherein the media content is encoded as at least two streams having a different quality level, each stream comprising consecutive segments, the method comprising:

• determining the bandwidth between the server and the client;
• selecting a quality level from the different quality levels of the at least two streams on the basis of the determined bandwidth;
• sending a request to the server for a selected segment of a first stream, the first stream corresponding to the selected quality level;
• receiving the selected segment of the stream of the selected quality level sent by the server in response to said request;
• receiving a pushed segment of a second stream of the at least two streams, wherein the second stream has a lower quality level than the first stream;
• and
• playing the pushed segment instead of the corresponding segment of the first stream if the bandwidth is below the previously determined bandwidth.