Personal media broadcasting system with output buffer

A method for providing access to an audio/visual source at a location remote from the audio/visual source, the method comprising:

• receiving an input signal from an audio/visual source device;
• constructing a media stream suitable for transmission over a network by encoding the input signal using a bit rate selected at least in part based on an amount of free space remaining in a buffer;
• storing the media stream in the buffer;
• and
• sending the media stream from the buffer to a remote client over a network.

A method for providing access to a video source at a location remote from the video source, the method comprising:

• receiving a video signal;
• creating a media stream from the video signal, the media stream encoded using a bit rate selected at least in part based on an amount of free space remaining in an output buffer;
• storing the encoded media stream in the output buffer;
• and
• sending the media stream from the output buffer to a remote client over a network.

A method for streaming a media signal to a remote subscriber location, the method comprising:

• receiving a media signal for transmission to a subscriber location;
• constructing a media stream suitable for transmission over a transmission network by encoding the received media signal using a bit rate selected at least in part based on an amount of free space remaining in an output buffer;
• storing the media stream in the output buffer;
• and
• transmitting the media stream from the output buffer to the remote subscriber location over a transmission network.

A device comprising:

• an input interface configured to receive an audio/video signal;
• a processor coupled to the input interface and configured to encode the audio/video signal using a bit rate;
• a buffer configured to receive the media stream, wherein the bit rate is selected at least in part based on an amount of free space remaining in the buffer;
• and
• an output interface configured to transmit the media stream stored in the buffer.