1. A method of identifying an ability of a computer system to playback media content locally, the method comprising: progressing through a plurality of media content playback applications by communicating a query to the computer system over a computer network, the progressing to assess an ability of the computer system to playback the media content locally; receiving a response to the query, the response indicating an availability of hardware on the computer system to playback the media content locally, the availability of the hardware on the computer system being assessed by the progressing through the plurality of media content playback applications; and providing the computer system with a version of the media content appropriate for the ability of the computer system to playback the media content locally, the version of the media content comprising a media file.