Techniques for buffering data over high bandwidth networks are provided. A first portion of data is downloaded into a buffer at a first download speed. The first portion of data is outputted from the buffer. Upon determining that data is being downloaded at a second download speed greater than the first download speed, it is determined to use a cache for one or more subsequent portions of data, and a second portion of data is downloaded into the cache. Upon determining that the buffer is empty, the second portion of data is outputted from the cache.
BACKGROUND (1) Some systems download media in discrete segments. Each segment is then output sequentially. However, if the download speed changes substantially, a streaming device may select a non-optimal bitrate for the next segment(s). When intermittent and sporadic connections are lost, the next segment(s) may fail to download in time, causing buffering and dropouts in the media output.
1. A method, comprising: downloading, by a device, a first portion of data into a buffer at a first download speed; outputting, from the buffer, the first portion of data; upon determining that the device is downloading data at a second download speed greater than the first download speed: determining to use a cache for one or more subsequent portions of data; and downloading a second portion of data into the cache; and upon determining that the buffer is empty, outputting the second portion of data from the cache. ||
9. A non-transitory computer-readable medium containing computer program code that, when executed by operation of one or more computer processors, performs an operation comprising: downloading, by a device, a first portion of data into a buffer at a first download speed; outputting, from the buffer, the first portion of data; upon determining that the device is downloading data at a second download speed greater than the first download speed: determining to use a cache for one or more subsequent portions of data; and downloading a second portion of data into the cache; and upon determining that the buffer is empty, outputting the second portion of data from the cache. ||
15. A system, comprising: one or more computer processors; and a storage medium containing a program which when executed by the one or more computer processors performs an operation, the operation comprising: downloading, by the system, a first portion of data into a buffer at a first download speed; outputting, from the buffer, the first portion of data; upon determining that the system is downloading data at a second download speed greater than the first download speed: determining to use a cache for one or more subsequent portions of data; and downloading a second portion of data into the cache; and upon determining that the buffer is empty, outputting the second portion of data from the cache.