Calculating start time availability for streamed media data

A device for retrieving media data, the device comprising a middleware unit implemented in circuitry and configured to:

• receive a file delivery table (FDT) for a media bitstream via a broadcast or multicast protocol;
• calculate an availability start time for a segment of the media bitstream using data of the FDT, the segment comprising an independently retrievable media file;
• update a manifest file for the media bitstream to signal the availability start time for the segment, the manifest file being separate from the FDT;
• and
• send the manifest file to a network streaming client of the device.

A device for retrieving media data, the device comprising:

• means for receiving a file delivery table (FDT) for a media bitstream via a broadcast or multicast protocol;
• means for calculating an availability start time for a segment of the media bitstream using data of the FDT, the segment comprising an independently retrievable media file;
• means for updating a manifest file for the media bitstream to signal the availability start time for the segment, the manifest file being separate from the FDT;
• and
• means for sending the manifest file to a network streaming client of the device.

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, cause a middleware unit implemented in circuitry of a client device to:

• receive a file delivery table (FDT) for a media bitstream via a broadcast or multicast protocol;
• calculate an availability start time for a segment of the media bitstream using data of the FDT, the segment comprising an independently retrievable media file;
• update a manifest file for the media bitstream to signal the availability start time for the segment, the manifest file being separate from the FDT;
• and
• send the manifest file to a network streaming client of the client device.