Methods and Systems for Synchronizing Data Streams Across Multiple Client Devices

A method for synchronizing video playback, comprising:

• at a server having one or more processors, a clock, and memory storing one or more programs configured for execution by the one or more processors:
• receiving a playlist for a video from a content delivery network, wherein the video includes a plurality of video segments;
• parsing the playlist to identify a timeline for the video;
• determining a current playback position for the video and a corresponding initial timestamp according to the clock;
• periodically updating the current playback position for the video according to the server clock and the initial timestamp;
• receiving, over a span of time, requests from a plurality of client devices to view the video;
• and
• for each request from a respective client device, sending the current playback position to the respective client device.

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing one or more programs configured for execution by one or more processors of a server system, the one or more programs including instructions for:

• receiving a program manifest for a video from a content delivery network, wherein the video includes a plurality of video segments;
• parsing the program manifest to identify a timeline for the video;
• determining a current playback position for the video and a corresponding initial timestamp according to the clock;
• periodically updating the current playback position for the video according to the server clock and the initial timestamp;
• receiving, over a span of time, requests from a plurality of client devices to view the video;
• and
• for each request from a respective client device, sending the current playback position to the respective client device.