Method and apparatus for streaming media data segments of different lengths wherein the segment of different length comprising data not belonging to the actual segment and beginning with key frames or containing key frames only

A network element for enabling streaming of media data, wherein the media data is originally divided into segments of a first length Tx provided in a stream, comprising a processor and memory, said memory containing instructions executable by said processor whereby said network element is operative to:

• receive, from a client C1 during streaming of a segment V1 of said stream, a request for media data of said stream;
• provide, to said client C1, a segment V11 of a different length than said first length Tx, such that the segment V11 has a length, a starting point and an ending point, wherein the starting point is aligned to a time of said request and the ending point is aligned to a segment subsequent to V1, wherein the segment V11 comprises data not belonging to segment V1;
• provide, to said client C1, a segment, subsequent to segment V1, of said stream wherein the subsequent segment is a segment that the stream originally was divided in;
• receive, from another client C2 during streaming of a segment V1 of said stream, a request for media data of said stream;
• provide, to said client C2, a segment V12 having a different length than said first length Tx, wherein the segment comprises recorded data not belonging to said stream;
• and
• provide, to both client C1 and client C2 at substantially the same time, a segment, subsequent to segment V1, of said stream wherein the subsequent segment is a segment that the stream originally was divided in.

A computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer readable medium storing computer code for streaming media data, wherein the media data is originally divided into segments of a first length Tx provided in a stream, the computer code comprising instructions to:

• receive, from a client C1 during streaming of a segment V1, a request for media data of said stream;
• provide, to said client C1, a segment V11 of a different length than said first length Tx, such that the segment V11 has a length, a starting point and an ending point, wherein the starting point is aligned to a time of said request and the ending point is aligned to a segment subsequent to V1, wherein the segment V11 comprises data not belonging to segment V1;
• provide, to said client C1, a segment, subsequent to segment V1, of said stream wherein the subsequent segment is a segment that the stream originally was divided in;
• receive, from another client C2 during streaming of a segment V1 of said stream, a request for media data of said stream;
• provide, to said client C2, a segment V12 having a different length than said first length Tx, wherein the segment comprises recorded data not belonging to said stream;
• and
• provide, to both client C1 and client C2 at substantially the same time, a segment, subsequent to segment V1, of said stream wherein the subsequent segment is a segment that the stream originally was divided in.