Adaptive Bitrate Video Server for Hybrid Network Streaming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Streaming high-quality video over hybrid networks, such as those combining the Internet and DOCSIS networks, faces bandwidth constraints, particularly during 'trick-mode' operations like fast-forward and rewind, leading to video freezing or quality drops due to insufficient bandwidth.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an adaptive bit rate video server that selectively transmits I, P, and B frames based on requested playback speeds, adjusting bitrates, and using Quality of Service (QoS) management to prioritize and allocate bandwidth effectively, ensuring continuous video streaming without stalling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If high bitrate video streaming is provided over hybrid networks, then video quality is improved, but network bandwidth availability deteriorates due to insufficient bandwidth during trick-mode operations
Solution Approach 1:
The video stream is segmented into different frame types (I-frames, P-frames, B-frames) with different priorities and bandwidth requirements. During trick-mode operations, the system selectively transmits only essential frame segments (primarily I-frames for fast-forward, or B-frames for rewind) rather than complete video frames, reducing bandwidth consumption while maintaining acceptable video quality
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes video transmission parameters including bitrate, frame rate, and frame type selection based on network conditions and requested playback speed. During fast-forward operations, the bitrate and frame rate are reduced by transmitting fewer and smaller frames, while maintaining the ability to deliver high quality video during normal playback when bandwidth is available
2Ease of operation
If bandwidth is increased to support fast-forward and rewind operations, then trick-mode performance is improved, but network resource allocation deteriorates due to excessive bandwidth consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts bandwidth allocation and transmission parameters in real-time based on the current operation mode (normal playback, fast-forward, or rewind). During trick-mode operations, it transitions to a dynamic transmission mode that sends only essential frame segments at reduced rates, while during normal playback it uses full-bandwidth high-quality transmission, optimizing both trick-mode performance and overall network resource utilization
Solution Approach 2:
During fast-forward operations, the system uses partial action by transmitting only a subset of video frames (primarily I-frames) rather than complete video streams. This partial transmission provides sufficient bandwidth for trick-mode operations without excessively consuming network resources, as the reduced frame count and size meet the minimum requirements for acceptable fast-forward performance
3Manufacturing precision
If complete video frames are transmitted during fast-forward operations, then video quality is improved, but transmission time deteriorates due to excessive data volume
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and transmits only the essential components needed for fast-forward playback (primarily I-frames which contain complete image data) while omitting redundant frame segments (P-frames and B-frames that contain differential data). This extraction approach maintains adequate video quality for fast-forward operations while dramatically reducing the total data volume and transmission time compared to sending complete video frames
4Manufacturing precision
If bandwidth is allocated for high-quality video streaming, then video quality is improved, but network congestion deteriorates during peak usage periods
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic adjustment of transmission parameters including bitrate adaptation and frame type selection based on network conditions. During periods of network congestion, it periodically switches to more efficient compression modes and selective frame transmission, while during periods of available bandwidth, it restores high-quality full-frame transmission, thereby maintaining video quality while reducing network congestion through periodic optimization
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods to deliver streaming video over a hybrid network are provided herein. An adjusted bitrate to transmit video from a server to a client is determined in response to a fast-forward or rewind request. Frames from a video are selectively transmitted to accommodate for the adjusted bitrate based and a bitrate of a connection between the server and the client.