System and method for retrieving digital multimedia content from a network node

A system for retrieving digital multimedia content from a network node, comprising:

• means for receiving a Real-Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP)-compliant PLAYLIST_PLAY navigation message, that includes at least one (n+1) tuple, multidimensional pointer, at said network node, said at least one multidimensional pointer associated with a media clip in a depository of digital multimedia content that is organized into a nested hierarchical arrangement having a plurality of levels that correspond to respective media identifier dimensions of said RTSP multidimensional pointer, said navigation message further including a relative time offset within said media clip, and a timing parameter operable to indicate when said navigation message is to be activated by said network node;
• and
• means for transferring digital multimedia content to said digital multimedia device by said network node from a particular content source identified by said multidimensional pointer, said transferring commencing at a time indicated responsive to said timing parameter.

A digital multimedia device operable to retrieve digital multimedia content from a network node, comprising:

• logic for receiving a Real-Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP)-compliant PLAYLIST_PLAY navigation message, that includes at least one (n+1) tuple, multidimensional pointer, at said network node, said message containing at least one multidimensional pointer associated with a media clip in a depository of digital multimedia content that is organized into a nested hierarchical arrangement having a plurality of levels that correspond to respective media identifier dimensions of said RTSP multidimensional pointer, said navigation message further including a relative time offset within said media clip, and a timing parameter operable to indicate when said navigation message is to be activated by said network node;
• and
• a player engine operable to play back streaming content from a particular content source identified by said multidimensional pointer, said streaming content commencing at a time indicated responsive to said timing parameter.