Methods, systems, techniques, and computer-readable media for device-independent media transactions, such as the transaction, acquisition, presentation, and publication of media, are provided. Example embodiments provide a Device Independent Video Transaction System ("DIVTS"), which enables a user to transact for media such as streamed video on any device that can receive streamed data over a broadband connection and output video data to a display. In one embodiment, the DIVTS comprises a user interface which is based upon a "quilt" metaphor and is configured to present a uniform mechanism for specifying media to be acquired, directing the presentation of acquired media, and initiating transactions related to the specified media. This abstract is provided to comply with rules requiring an abstract, and it is submitted with the intention that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.