A method includes monitoring a bandwidth currently available for streaming of a segment file pertaining to the selected content asset from a server to the client. A selected content asset is registered by receiving a user-originating request identifying the selected content asset. An adequate segment quality level to be requested is selected based on the currently available bandwidth. A segment to be requested is adaptively selected contingent upon the local availability or quality level of file segments. The segment is requested from the content providing server in the specified adaptively selected adequate segment quality level. The requested segment is received in a current segment quality level corresponding to the adaptively selected adequate quality level, stored locally associated with information regarding its quality level. Received file segments pertaining to the content file are rendered in a manner as specified by a received manifest file pertaining to the content file.