Live Media Archiving via Timestamped Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current live streaming solutions lack an efficient method to convert live archives into on-demand video and offer limited digital video recorder (DVR) capabilities, restricting users' ability to seek back into past content.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method for archiving live media presentations by recording them in fixed-length segments with timestamped names, allowing seamless transition to a video on-demand server and enabling 'Infinite DVR' functionality, where users can seek back into the past without significant network strain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If live media presentation is archived in traditional methods, then archiving capability is provided, but transition to VOD and DVR capabilities are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The live media presentation is divided into fixed-length segments with sequential numbering. Each segment represents a discrete time interval of the live stream, enabling independent storage, retrieval, and manipulation of specific time portions. This segmentation allows the system to transition from continuous live streaming to discrete on-demand video segments stored on VOD servers.
Solution Approach 2:
Segments are pre-numbered and timestamped during the archiving process, establishing a structured framework before VOD publication is needed. The manifest file is proactively generated with segment metadata, enabling clients to access archived content without waiting for post-processing or manual setup.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional archiving is used, then basic recording is achieved, but Infinite DVR capability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The archiving system divides the live stream into fixed-length segments that can be independently stored and retrieved. This segmentation enables clients to request specific time intervals (DVR functionality) without needing to buffer or stream the entire live feed, reducing network strain while providing extended seek capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The manifest file acts as an intermediary between the client and archived segments. It contains metadata about all segments including time stamps and location information, allowing clients to efficiently locate and retrieve specific time intervals without direct server scanning or excessive network traffic.
3Speed
If live streaming is implemented, then real-time delivery is achieved, but archiving for on-demand access is not provided
Solution Approach 1:
While the live stream is being delivered in real-time, segments are simultaneously archived and organized in the background. The system proactively creates and stores segment files as they are generated by the live stream, ensuring archive availability is established before on-demand access is requested, without impacting real-time streaming performance.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method for archiving a live media presentation includes archiving the live media presentation as it is being streamed from a live server, wherein the archiving includes recording the live media presentation in fixed-length segments. A segment name is associated with each of the segments, wherein each of the segment names includes a time stamp. The fixed-length segments are stored on a video on-demand (VOD) server. A manifest is generated that describes at least a portion of the live media presentation and identifies a uniform resource locator (URL) to be used by a client device to access a first one of the segments, wherein the URL includes the segment name of the first segment.