Adaptive Media Stream Playout for Reduced Transition Delay
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing digital media delivery systems experience significant delays when switching between media streams, such as during channel changes or trick mode requests, due to buffering and error correction processes, which affect the user experience.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an accelerated delivery method that allows for a burst of media frames to be delivered at a faster rate than the nominal stream rate, enabling early start playback and reducing delay by selecting an appropriate starting frame and adapting the delivery based on resource availability and network conditions, using an accelerated delivery handler and client within the digital media receiver and headend components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If buffered delivery is used to ensure reliable media stream delivery, then delivery reliability is improved, but stream transition delay increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the delivery rate based on buffer status and transition events. During normal operation, media is delivered at the nominal stream rate to fill the buffer. When a transition event is detected, the system switches to accelerated delivery mode, dynamically changing the delivery rate to prioritize fast buffer filling, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and transition delay.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by detecting transition events before they fully occur and pre-loading buffer content at an accelerated rate. The accelerated delivery handler monitors for transition events and proactively increases the delivery rate to fill the buffer in advance, reducing the perceived transition delay while maintaining reliable delivery through the buffer.
2Loss of time
If accelerated delivery is used to reduce stream transition delay, then stream transition delay is reduced, but network resource usage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic action by alternating between normal delivery mode and accelerated delivery mode. Accelerated delivery is activated only during transition events when it is most needed, and then returns to normal delivery rate. This periodic switching reduces overall network resource usage compared to sustained accelerated delivery, while still achieving fast transition when required.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the delivery rate parameter dynamically based on system state. During normal operation, the delivery rate equals the nominal stream rate. Upon detecting a transition event, the parameter changes to an accelerated rate to reduce transition delay. This parameter change allows the system to optimize between delay reduction and resource usage by applying acceleration only when necessary.
3Loss of time
If accelerated delivery is used to reduce stream transition delay, then stream transition delay is reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an intermediary component, the accelerated delivery handler, that sits between the media server and the buffer. This handler monitors transition events, controls the delivery rate, and manages the accelerated delivery process. By using this intermediary, the complexity is localized to a specific component rather than being distributed throughout the entire system, making the increased complexity more manageable and modular.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a method includes requesting accelerated delivery of a specified media stream. The media stream contains a plurality of video frames. The method also includes receiving a response to the accelerated delivery request. The method also includes selecting, based on the response, a media stream source. The method also includes receiving a media stream from the selected media stream source into a buffer, and decoding the received media stream from the buffer, at a selected playout rate.