Cloud Video Encoding with Pre-Compression and Guided Transcoding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for distributing audiovisual content over the Internet require multiple copies of content in different formats and bit rates, leading to inefficient resource usage and high costs, as well as a lack of control for media companies over the distribution chain, especially when using cloud-based transcoding solutions.
Innovation Solution
A system that performs pre-compression at the media company's production center and subsequent encoding in a cloud or CDN, using encoding information to optimize the generation of multiple formats and bit rates, reducing bandwidth and computational resources while maintaining high quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If content is compressed directly over the Internet using cloud computing, then the service provider does not need to manage a complex compression chain, but the content must be sent over the network at high bit rates requiring large transmission resources
Solution Approach 1:
The compression process is divided into two distinct stages: pre-compression performed at the media company's production center, and subsequent encoding performed in the cloud or CDN. This segmentation allows the heavy pre-compression work to be done locally before transmission, reducing the bandwidth needed for cloud transmission while still leveraging cloud resources for final format generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The media company performs pre-compression of content at the production center before uploading to the cloud. This preliminary action prepares the content in advance with optimized compression settings, so that when the content is transmitted to the cloud, less bandwidth is required and the subsequent encoding can proceed more efficiently.
2Loss of energy
If pre-compressed content is sent to the network, then transmission resources are reduced, but a great deal of information is lost compared to high quality source content
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses encoding information that captures parameters and characteristics from the pre-compression stage to guide the subsequent encoding process in the cloud. By changing and optimizing encoding parameters based on the original high-quality source and the pre-compressed version, the system recovers quality while maintaining transmission efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback mechanisms where encoding information from the pre-compression stage is used to adjust and optimize the subsequent encoding process. This feedback loop ensures that quality is maintained or improved during the cloud encoding phase, compensating for any information loss from pre-compression.
3Productivity
If cloud-based transcoding solutions are used, then operational costs are reduced through shared encoders, but media companies lose control over the distribution chain
Solution Approach 1:
Control is segmented between the media company and the cloud provider. The media company retains control over the critical pre-compression stage and encoding information generation, while the cloud provider handles the subsequent encoding. This segmentation allows the media company to maintain quality control and distribution chain oversight while still benefiting from cloud-based resource sharing.
Solution Approach 2:
Encoding information acts as an intermediary that bridges the pre-compression stage at the media company and the subsequent encoding in the cloud. This intermediary carries the essential characteristics and parameters needed to maintain quality and control, allowing the media company to influence the cloud encoding process without directly managing the cloud infrastructure.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple copies of content in different formats and bit rates are created, then compatibility with diverse devices is improved, but transmission resources and storage capacity increase n times
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs pre-compression at the media company to create an optimized intermediate format that preserves essential quality while reducing size. This preliminary action prepares the content so that subsequent cloud encoding can efficiently generate multiple device-specific formats from a single pre-compressed source, reducing the need to transmit multiple high-bitrate copies.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses encoding information to dynamically adjust encoding parameters when generating different output formats in the cloud. By changing parameters such as bit rate, resolution, and format based on the target device requirements, the system can create multiple adapted versions from a single pre-compressed source, reducing transmission resource requirements.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides a system (and corresponding method and devices) for encoding an ungrouped signal into a plurality of grouped signals, wherein the ungrouped signal comprises at least a video service. The system further comprises: - a first encoding means provided in a production system configured to execute a first encoding of the ungrouped video signal into a first encoded grouped signal (140) and to associate encoding information (140) with the first encoded signal; - a second encoding means (160) provided in a distribution system, wherein the second encoding means is separate from said first encoding means and is configured to execute a plurality of second encodings so as to correspondingly obtain the plurality of grouped signals (180), each of the plurality of grouped signals (180) characterised by a corresponding predetermined property, wherein the second encodings are performed on the basis of said first encoded signal using the encoding information; - a connection means configured to transmit the encoding information (140) from the first encoding means (150) to the second encoding means (160), wherein the encoding information (140) comprises information on the first encoding.