EP3822805

Apparatus for adaptive-rate shifting of streaming content includes an agent controller module 402 configured to simultaneously request a plurality of streamlets 212. The agent controller module 402 is further configured to continuously monitor streamlet requests and subsequent responses, and accordingly request higher or lower quality streamlets. A staging module 409 is configured to stage the streamlets 212 and arrange the streamlets 212 for playback on a content player 408. A system includes a data communications network 106, a content server 102 coupled to the data communications network 106 and having a content module 112 configured to process content and generate a plurality of high and low quality streams, and the apparatus. A method includes simultaneously requesting a plurality of streamlets 212, continuously monitoring streamlet requests and subsequent responses, and accordingly requesting higher or lower quality streamlets, and staging the streamlets 212 and arranging the streamlets 212 for playback on a content player 408.