A MEDIA SERVER AND METHOD OF OPERATION THEREFOR

摘要

A media server (201) comprises a circular buffer (303) which buffers a received media stream to provide a time shifting function. A file indication processor (305) generates a first linear file indication for the circular buffer (303) which are transmitted to media clients (203). The linear file indication has a first file timing indication. A receiver (313) can receive a media request message from at least one media client (203) comprising a request for media indicated by the first linear file indication and including a playback start indication relative to the first file timing indication. A playback controller (315) determines a playback point for the circular buffer in response to the playback start indication and a media transmitter (317) transmits media from the first circular buffer (303) to the at least one media client (203) in response to the playback point. If the request is outside the circular buffer (303) a predetermined stream indicating that the requested media is unavailable is transmitted.