Adaptive Video Source Delivery Reducing Transcoding Overhead
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current video provider systems face challenges in efficiently delivering video content to diverse user devices, as they require substantial storage space and processing power due to the need for multiple format conversions, either through Static Video Transcoding (SVT) or Real-Time On-Demand Video Transcoding (RTVT, which are demanding in terms of storage and processing resources respectively.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a video transcoding engine that stores both an original video source and an adaptive video source, which is the most frequently requested format, allowing for dynamic adaptation and delivery of the adaptive source when supported by user devices, reducing the need for extensive format conversions and processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple format conversions are performed to support diverse user devices, then adaptability to different devices is improved, but storage space requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-transcodes and stores the original video source (OVS) and a limited set of adaptive video sources (AVS) in advance. When a user requests video content, the system checks whether the OVS or any stored AVS can be delivered directly without real-time transcoding. This preliminary preparation reduces the need for extensive format conversions and minimizes storage requirements while maintaining device adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the video format parameters by selecting between OVS and AVS based on user device capabilities and request patterns. Instead of storing all possible format combinations, the system changes the delivery parameter by switching between a limited set of pre-transcoded formats (OVS and a few AVS) rather than maintaining extensive format libraries, thus reducing storage space while preserving adaptability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If real-time video transcoding is performed for each user device request, then device compatibility is improved, but processing power requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs video transcoding in advance to create and store the original video source (OVS) and adaptive video sources (AVS) before user requests arrive. When users access video content, the system retrieves pre-transcoded formats from storage rather than performing real-time transcoding for each device, significantly reducing processing power requirements while maintaining device compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of creating unique video streams for each user device through real-time transcoding, the system uses copies of pre-transcoded video formats (OVS and AVS) that are stored in advance. Users receive copies of these pre-prepared formats rather than generating new streams, which reduces the processing power needed for each individual request while still providing device-specific optimization.
3Ease of operation
If extensive format conversions are performed to meet diverse device requirements, then user experience is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs format conversions in advance to create and store the original video source (OVS) and adaptive video sources (AVS) before user requests arrive. When users access video content, the system retrieves pre-transcoded formats from storage rather than performing real-time transcoding for each device, significantly reducing processing power requirements while maintaining device compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system extracts and stores only the essential video formats needed for common device types (OVS and a limited set of AVS) rather than preparing every possible format combination. This selective extraction reduces system complexity by focusing on the most frequently requested formats while maintaining user experience for diverse devices.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus comprising a video transcoding engine (VTE), a video source storage (VSS) coupled to the VTE, a network engine (NE) coupled to the VTE and in communications with a plurality of user devices, and a media management system (MMS) coupled to the VTE, the VSS, and the NE, and in communications with the user devices, wherein the VSS comprises an original video source (OVS) and an adaptive video source (AVS) that corresponds to the same video content, and wherein the AVS comprises a content format that is more frequently delivered to the user devices than a plurality of other delivered content formats of the video content other than the OVS.