Media Playlist Entropy Slots for Unique Video Playback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for generating unique presentations of media content in video delivery networks inefficiently utilize computing resources by copying the entire video to create multiple versions, leading to suboptimal allocation of storage and encoding resources.
Innovation Solution
A video delivery system optimizes the generation of unique presentations by pre-calculating the number of required unique presentations and allocating entropy slots in the media content, using a predictable mechanism to determine which versions to deliver, and strategically placing these slots to reduce the number of varied segments during playback, thereby minimizing the amount of computing resources needed for encoding and storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the entire video is copied to create multiple versions (A and B), then unique presentations can be generated, but computing resources and storage requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The video is divided into segments, and only specific segments are copied to create version B, while version A is retained. This segmentation approach allows unique presentations to be generated without duplicating the entire video, thereby reducing computing resources and storage requirements while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
Only the necessary portions (segments) of the video are extracted and copied to create alternative versions. Instead of copying the entire video, the system extracts only the segments needed for generating unique presentations, significantly reducing the quantity of data that must be stored and processed.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the entire video is copied to create version B, then all segments can be varied to create unique presentations, but storage requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The video is segmented into discrete portions, and only specific segments are stored as version B. This allows the system to store only the necessary variations needed for unique presentations rather than the entire video, reducing storage requirements while maintaining the ability to generate unique presentations.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of copying the entire video (excessive action), the system copies only the necessary segments (partial action) to create version B. This partial copying approach is sufficient to generate unique presentations while significantly reducing storage requirements.
3Device complexity
If a fixed number of patterns are used to generate unique presentations, then the system remains simple, but computing resources are not optimally used
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically determines the number of segments to copy based on the specific requirements for unique presentations rather than using a fixed pattern. This dynamic approach allows the system to optimize computing resource usage by copying only the necessary number of segments, improving productivity while maintaining manageable system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
In some embodiments, a method provides a unique request identifier for a playback request of media content to a client device. Using the unique request identifier, the method generates a media playlist that includes links to create a sequence of a first version and a second version of the media content for segments in multiple entropy slots. The sequence is determined by the unique request identifier. Each entropy slot represents a point in the media content where a segment from either the first version or the second version can be delivered. The method receives a segment request from the client device and determines if the request is for the first version or the second version. If the request is for the first version, the method sends the first version of the segment. If the request is for the second version, the method sends the second version of the segment.