JIT Video Transcoding via Super-Encoding Metadata
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Solution Overview
Problem
Network digital video recorders (DVRs) face high storage costs due to the need for separate storage of different video resolutions and compression formats for multiple screen sizes, leading to inefficient video processing and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a Just-In-Time (JIT) transcoding system that stores only the highest resolution video content and uses a 'super-encoder' to perform initial HEVC encoding with additional metadata for efficient transcoding to lower resolutions and legacy formats like MPEG4 and MPEG2, reducing computational load and storage needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate storage is provided for each screen size and compression technology, then video compatibility for multiple resolutions is improved, but storage space requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent stores a single universal high-resolution master copy that can be transcoded to any required resolution and format. This master copy serves multiple functions by being the source for generating both full-resolution outputs and lower-resolution thumbnails, eliminating the need for separate storage for each screen size and compression technology while maintaining full compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary high-quality encoding of the master copy using efficient codecs like HEVC during content ingestion. This preliminary action creates a versatile source that can later be efficiently transcoded to any format, avoiding the need to pre-create and store multiple resolution versions of the same content.
2Speed
If multiple resolution versions are pre-encoded and stored, then access speed for different screen sizes is improved, but processing time during initial encoding increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs the computationally intensive task of encoding the master copy in an efficient format like HEVC during the initial content ingestion phase. This preliminary encoding action, while time-consuming, is performed only once per content item, and the resulting master copy enables rapid delivery to any device without requiring pre-encoding of multiple resolution versions.
3Quantity of substance
If HEVC encoding is used for maximum compression efficiency, then storage costs are reduced, but compatibility with legacy devices (MPEG4/MPEG2) decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a transcoder as an intermediary component that converts the HEVC-encoded master copy into legacy formats like MPEG4 or MPEG2 when needed. This intermediary enables the system to maintain the storage efficiency benefits of HEVC while ensuring compatibility with older devices that cannot natively play HEVC content.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the encoding parameters of the video stream based on the capabilities of the requesting device. When a legacy device is detected, the system transcodes the HEVC master copy with different compression parameters (MPEG4/MPEG2) while maintaining the same efficient storage backend, thus adapting to device requirements without sacrificing storage efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of video encoding is provided to reduce the cost of network DVR storage by building on a concept of Just-In Time (JIT) transcoding which eliminates storing all formats of content in a DVR. A super-encoding procedure is provided that encodes a high resolution format, such as HEVC, while metadata is provided for lower resolution formats, such as MPEG4. The metadata can include items like motion vectors to reduce the computational costs during JIT transcoding. The super-encoded data is stored in memory of the DVR. High resolution encoded data is read directly out of the DVR memory, while lower resolutions are transcoded from the DVR memory data using the metadata to increase efficiency.