Media Player Segmentation for Reduced Buffering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing audio/video playing technologies face challenges such as long initial buffering times for entire video files and limitations in fragment duration and encoding format when using small-segment TS based on HLS, leading to increased storage I/O and decoding overheads.
Innovation Solution
A method that divides a target file into multiple sub-files in a time dimension, allowing two players to alternate in obtaining and outputting these sub-files, reducing initial buffer time and enabling flexible playback without format or duration restrictions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If entire video is played using traditional methods, then video playback is achieved, but initial buffering time is long (more than 9 seconds for a 1-hour mp4 video)
Solution Approach 1:
The video file is divided into multiple small segments (e.g., 10 segments of 6 seconds each). The player can selectively load and play these segments in parallel, avoiding the need to buffer the entire video file before playback starts. This segmentation enables the system to start playing the first available segment immediately while other segments are being downloaded in the background.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-loads multiple video segments in parallel before playback is needed. By having multiple segments ready in advance through parallel downloading, the system eliminates the long initial buffering time that would otherwise be required to prepare the video for playback.
2Loss of time
If small-segment TS based on HLS is used, then initial buffering time is reduced, but fragment duration and encoding format are limited and storage I/O and decoding overheads increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the video segment duration and encoding format based on network conditions and playback requirements. Unlike fixed-format HLS protocols, this implementation allows flexible segmentation where each segment can have optimized duration and format, enabling the player to adapt to different scenarios without being constrained by rigid protocol specifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes key parameters such as segment duration, resolution, and encoding format dynamically. For example, it can switch between different resolutions (e.g., 480p, 720p, 1080p) and segment durations (e.g., 6 seconds, 10 seconds) based on network bandwidth and device capabilities, thereby optimizing playback performance without being locked into fixed format constraints.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple players are used to alternate playback, then seamless handover and flexible playback are achieved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces a segment management module that acts as an intermediary between multiple players and the video source. This manager coordinates segment distribution, monitors playback status, and handles handover logic between players, thereby simplifying the complexity of direct player-to-player coordination while enabling seamless transitions and flexible playback modes.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure discloses a media playing method, a terminal device, and a computer storage medium. The method includes dividing content of a target file in a time dimension to obtain N number of target sub-files, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 2; obtaining a first time point, and determining an nth target sub-file in the N number of target sub-files based on the first time point, where n being an integer greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to N. The method also includes setting a first player and a second player, and controlling the first player and the second player to alternatingly obtain and output the nth target sub-file and at least one target sub-file that is after the nth target sub-file.