Situation-dependent dynamic bit rate encoding and distribution of content

A method comprising:

• receiving encoder control information indicating encoding of segments of content into a varying number of different bit rate data streams, the varying number of different bit rate data streams being available to multiple subscribers;
• producing content access information, the content access information indicating availability of the segments of content encoded according to the varying number of bit rate data streams;
• and
• distributing the content access information to the multiple subscribers, each of the multiple subscribers selectively retrieving encoded segments of content from the varying number of bit rate data streams.

A system comprising:

• an encoder operative to:
• receive original segments of content;
• determine a magnitude of complexity of each respective original segment of the original segments content, the original segments of content specifying how to reproduce a rendition of the respective original segment during playback;
• and
• dynamically adjust a number of different bit rate data streams into which the original segments of content are encoded based at least in part on the magnitude of the complexity of each of the respective original segments.

A system comprising:

• an encoder operative to:
• receive encoder control information indicating encoding of segments of content into a varying number of different bit rate data streams, the varying number of different bit rate data streams being available to multiple subscribers;
• produce content access information, the content access information indicating availability of the segments of content encoded according to the varying number of bit rate data streams;
• and
• distribute the content access information to the multiple subscribers, the at least one subscriber selectively retrieving encoded segments of content from the varying number of bit rate data streams.

Computer-readable storage hardware having instructions stored thereon, the instructions, when carried out by computer processor hardware, cause the computer processor hardware to:

• receive encoder control information indicating encoding of segments of content into a varying number of different bit rate data streams, the varying number of different bit rate data streams being available to multiple subscribers;
• produce content access information, the content access information indicating availability of the segments of content encoded according to the varying number of bit rate data streams;
• and
• distribute the content access information to the multiple subscribers, the at least one subscriber selectively retrieving encoded segments of content from the varying number of bit rate data streams.