Adaptive Streaming Manifest Generation for Dynamic Content Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing digital services face challenges in effectively managing and measuring the performance of infrastructure resources in networked environments, particularly when using multiple infrastructure service providers, leading to unpredictable and variable user experiences due to performance fluctuations and resource availability issues.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for generating and managing manifest files in adaptive streaming video that utilize a network of infrastructure components to resolve DNS requests, assign resources, measure performance, and manage infrastructure service providers without requiring additional software on user devices, ensuring seamless video delivery and user experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple infrastructure service providers are used to deliver video content, then service availability and resource capacity are improved, but performance variability and user experience consistency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors performance metrics from multiple infrastructure service providers and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust manifest file generation, selecting optimal content sources based on real-time performance data to maintain consistent user experience across providers
Solution Approach 2:
The manifest file generation process is made dynamic by continuously updating content source selections based on current performance conditions, allowing the system to adapt to changing infrastructure provider performance while maintaining service availability
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional manifest files are used in adaptive streaming, then video delivery is simple and direct, but dynamic content insertion and third-party content integration are not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The manifest file structure is segmented to include distinct sections for primary video content and insertable content regions, allowing traditional video delivery to function while enabling dynamic insertion of third-party content such as ads or promotions at designated positions
Solution Approach 2:
An intermediary manifest file generation system is introduced that sits between the content sources and the player, dynamically assembling manifest files that incorporate both traditional video content and third-party content based on real-time conditions and predefined rules
3Extent of automation
If additional software extensions are added to user devices for performance management, then resource allocation control is improved, but device complexity and user burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The infrastructure service providers self-manage their performance metrics and resource allocation through automated monitoring and reporting systems, eliminating the need for user-device software extensions while maintaining centralized control over resource distribution
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for serving a manifest file of an adaptive streaming video include receiving a request for the manifest file from a user device. The video is encoded at different reference bitrates and each encoded reference bitrate is divided into segments to generate video segment files. The manifest file includes an ordered list of universal resource locators (URLs) that reference a set of video segment files encoded at a particular reference bitrate. A source manifest file that indicates the set of video segment files is identified based on the request. An issued manifest file that includes a first URL and a second URL is generated based on the source manifest file. The first URL references a first domain and the second URL references a second domain that is different from the first domain. The issued manifest file is transmitted to the user device as a response to the request.