Cross-Channel Look Ahead Rate Control for Video Encoding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing techniques for determining suitable encoding bit rates in media content distribution are computationally complex and inefficient, as they fail to consider encoding parameters and output from other channels, leading to suboptimal bit rate control and increased latency.
Innovation Solution
Implementing multi-channel video encoding with cross-channel look ahead bit rate control, where encoding statistics from lower resolution or lower bit rate channels are used to optimize bit rate control for higher resolution or higher bit rate channels, allowing concurrent encoding processes to generate optimized quantization parameters and reduce bit rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If existing independent channel encoding techniques are used, then each channel can be encoded separately, but bit rate control becomes computationally complex and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the encoding processes of multiple channels by having higher resolution channels utilize encoding statistics (QP values, look-ahead statistics) from lower resolution channels. This combination allows the system to share computational work across channels, reducing overall computational complexity while improving encoding efficiency through cross-channel optimization.
2Loss of time
If existing independent channel encoding techniques are used, then encoding can proceed without inter-channel dependencies, but latency increases due to repeated computations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having lower resolution channels perform encoding first and generate statistics that are then reused by higher resolution channels. This preliminary encoding pass creates reusable statistical data that eliminates the need for higher resolution channels to perform identical computations independently, thereby reducing encoding latency while maintaining or improving encoding speed.
3Measurement precision
If existing independent channel encoding techniques are used, then each channel uses its own statistics, but bit rate control accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where encoding statistics from lower resolution channels are fed back into the higher resolution channel encoding process. This cross-channel feedback allows higher resolution channels to adjust their quantization parameters and bit rate allocation based on actual encoding performance data from related channels, improving bit rate control accuracy while maintaining adaptability through selective statistic utilization.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques are provided for multi-channel video encoding with cross-channel look ahead rate control. A methodology implementing the techniques according to an embodiment includes encoding a first video channel to generate a first output bitstream and first channel statistics including a quantization parameter, the first video channel comprising a first plurality of video frames at a first resolution. The method further includes encoding a second video channel to generate a second output bitstream encoded at a bit rate based on the first channel statistics, the second video channel comprising a second plurality of video frames at a second resolution. The second resolution may equal the first resolution depending on target bit rates for the channels. The method further includes performing look ahead processing on the first video channel to generate first channel look ahead statistics, and encoding the second video channel based on the first channel look ahead statistics.