FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to content distribution and playback in a networked environment. More particularly, this invention relates to content playback techniques utilizing crowd sourced statistics.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

When viewing on-demand media (e.g., video, audio, games, etc.) on a device (e.g., a streaming media player, a game console, etc.) the playback parameters are specified. International digital standards exist for playback devices to play all content in a uniform manner, but they are not uniformly applied. For example, in the case of audio a volume level may be specified when mastered content is formed. After distribution of the mastered content to various content providers, such content providers may specify distinct audio volume levels. Thus, a single version of mastered content may be delivered by different content providers with different audio parameters. Alternately, or in addition, the content provider does not deliver all content with uniform audio parameters. Consequently, there are non-uniform user experiences as the mastered content is consumed.

In view of the foregoing, it would be desirable to improve user experiences during content playback.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A server includes a processor and a memory connected to the processor to store instructions executed by the processor to collect playback statistics from network connected content players, perform an evaluation of the playback statistics, and establish a playback configuration for specified content based upon the evaluation of the playback statistics. A request for the playback configuration for the specified content is received from a network connected content player. The playback configuration for the specified content is transferred to the network connected player.

A content player has a processor and a memory connected to the processor to store instructions executed by the processor to receive content over a network, play the content, and upload content statistics collected during playback to a server, where the content statistics characterize audio or video attributes of the content.

