A machine-implemented method of controlling presentation of video content on a display device that loads any one of a plurality of different media player players, the method comprising: assigning, by a server system, a synchronization code to the display device; receiving, in the server system, a message from a personal computing device that is separate from the server system and separate from the display device, wherein the message includes the synchronization code; storing, by the server system, a record establishing an association between the personal computing device and the display device based on the synchronization code; receiving, in the server system, one or more signals from the personal computing device, the one or more signals specifying a video file to be acted upon and identifying a particular media player for playing the video content, the one or more signals further including a universal playback control command for controlling playing of the video content on the display device by the particular media player, converting, by the server system, the universal playback control command into corresponding programming code to control playing of the video content on the display device by the particular media player, wherein converting the universal playback control command includes selecting from among a plurality of specific commands, each of which represents a corresponding playback control command for a respective media player; and storing, in a database associated with the server system, information for transmission to or retrieval by the display device, wherein the information specifies the video file to be acted upon, identifies the particular media player for playing the video content, and includes the corresponding programming code to control playing of the video content on the display device by the particular media player in accordance with the universal playback control command. view more

The method of claim 1 wherein the synchronization code is uniquely associated with the display device on which the video content is to be played.

A method of controlling presentation of content on a content presentation device that loads anyone of a plurality of different media players, the method comprising: receiving, in a server system, one or more messages from a personal computing device that is separate from the server system and separate from the content presentation device, wherein the one or more messages, taken together, include information associated with a synchronization code assigned to the content presentation device, specify a file to be acted upon, identify a particular media player for playing content from the file, identify a location of the particular media player, and include an action control command for presentation of the content on the content presentation device by the particular media player, the action control command being independent of the particular media player; using the information associated with the synchronization code to store a record establishing an association between the personal computing device and the content presentation device; identifying, by the server system, programming code corresponding to the action control command, wherein the programming code is for controlling presentation of the content by the content presentation device using the particular media player; obtaining, by the content presentation device, the particular media player, wherein the particular media player is obtained over a network from a content provider; loading the particular media player in the content presentation device; and using the particular media player to execute the programming code with respect to the file. view more

The method of claim 1 including: receiving, in the server system, a further message from the personal computing device, the further message including a second action control command; identifying second programming code corresponding to the second action control command, wherein the second programming code is for controlling presentation of the content by the content presentation device using the particular media player; and using the particular media player to execute the second programming code with respect to the file. view more

A method of controlling presentation of content on a content presentation device that loads any one of a plurality of different media players, the method comprising: receiving, in a server system, one or more messages from a personal computing device that is separate from the server system and separate from the content presentation device, wherein the one or more messages, taken together, (i) include information associated with a unique identification code assigned to the content presentation device, (ii) specify a file to be acted upon, (iii) identify a particular media player for playing content from the specified file wherein the media player is a computer application operable to present content and control presentation of the content, (iv) identify a location of the particular media player, and (v) include an action control command for presentation of the content on the content presentation device by the particular media player, the action control command being independent of the particular media player; using the information associated with the unique identification code to store a record establishing an association between the personal computing device and the content presentation device; and identifying, by the server system, programming code corresponding to the action control command, wherein the programming code is for controlling presentation of the content by the content presentation device using the particular media player, wherein, based on information received or retrieved from the server system, the content presentation device uses the particular media player to execute the programming code with respect to the file. view more

The method of claim 1 further including loading the particular media player in the content presentation device prior to executing the programming code with respect to the file.