Storage device management techniques for a remote storage digital video recorder that handles multiple bitrate content

A method of operating a remote storage digital video recorder (RS-DVR) system that supports a subscriber system via data communication over a network, the method comprising:

• receiving, at the RS-DVR system, encoded media segments that represent a media content file encoded at a plurality of different bitrates, wherein the encoded media segments include a respective set of encoded media segments corresponding to each of the plurality of different bitrates, and wherein each of the encoded media segments has a time range relative to the media content file;
• storing the encoded media segments on behalf of the subscriber system as a single logical file across a plurality of memory storage devices of the RS-DVR system, each encoded media segment of the encoded media segments corresponding to a partial period of playback time of the media content file, wherein the storing is performed in accordance with a distribution scheme to ensure each encoded media segment of the encoded media segments of the single logical file is not stored together with another encoded media segment of the encoded media segments of the single logical file having a different bitrate of the plurality of different bitrates and an overlapping partial period of playback time on a common memory storage device of the plurality of memory storage devices;
• after storing the encoded media segments, receiving, at the RS-DVR system, a request for playback of the media content file, the request identifying a requested bitrate for the media content file;
• determining, at the RS-DVR system, whether the plurality of memory storage devices can maintain real-time delivery of encoded media segments having the requested bitrate;
• and
• when the RS-DVR system determines that one of the plurality of memory storage devices cannot maintain real-time delivery of encoded media segments having the requested bitrate, generating, at the RS-DVR system, a message intended for the subscriber system, wherein the message instructs the subscriber system to request a different bitrate for the media content file.

A method of operating a remote storage digital video recorder (RS-DVR) system that supports at least one subscriber system via data communication over a network, the at least one subscriber system providing media content to at least one subscriber, the method comprising:

• receiving, at the RS-DVR system, a first set of encoded media segments that represent a media content file encoded at a first bitrate, and a second set of encoded media segments that represent the media content file encoded at a second bitrate, wherein each encoded media segment in the first set of encoded media segments corresponds to a respective partial period of playback time of the media content file, and wherein each encoded media segment in the second set of encoded media segments corresponds to a respective partial period of playback time of the media content file;
• receiving, at the RS-DVR system, an instruction to record the media content file on behalf of a subscriber;
• and
• in response to receiving the instruction, storing the first set of encoded media segments and the second set of encoded media segments on behalf of the subscriber as a single logical file distributed across a plurality of physically distinct memory storage devices in a distributed manner to prevent storage of any encoded media segment of the first set of encoded media segments of the single logical file together with any encoded media segment of the second set of encoded media segments that has an overlapping partial period of playback time of the media content file on a common memory storage device of the plurality of physically distinct memory storage devices.