Mobile Video Delivery Segmenting and Transrating for Network Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current progressive download methods for video delivery in wireless networks do not adapt to changing network conditions, leading to poor user experience due to delayed video playback or stalling when network conditions are poor, and inefficient use of bandwidth when conditions improve.
Innovation Solution
The method involves splitting video objects into self-contained segments, transrating each segment for different rates, and delivering segments from a rate bucket that matches the current network conditions determined by bandwidth estimation, ensuring seamless playback regardless of network conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If video is delivered using HTTP progressive download at a fixed encoding rate, then the video can be delivered using standard web infrastructure, but the video playback will stall or take a long time when network conditions are poor
Solution Approach 1:
The video object is divided into multiple segments, each of which can be independently encoded at different rates. This allows the system to deliver appropriate quality segments based on current network conditions while maintaining compatibility with standard HTTP infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically selects which video segment to deliver next based on real-time network conditions. Instead of delivering a fixed-rate video, the system adapts the delivery rate by choosing segments from different rate buckets, ensuring smooth playback under varying network conditions.
2Reliability
If video is encoded at a lower rate to accommodate poor network conditions, then video playback can continue smoothly, but the video quality deteriorates when network conditions improve
Solution Approach 1:
The system encodes the same video content at multiple different bitrates, creating a set of parallel video representations. Based on network conditions, the system selects the appropriate bitrate parameter for delivery, thus adapting video quality to match available bandwidth while ensuring continuous playback.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the delivered video quality by selecting segments from different rate buckets. When network conditions improve, higher quality segments are delivered; when conditions worsen, lower quality segments are delivered, maintaining playback continuity throughout.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the system delivers higher quality video segments when network conditions improve, then video quality increases, but bandwidth is wasted when network conditions are poor
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors network conditions and uses this feedback to make real-time decisions about which video segments to deliver. By measuring actual network performance and adjusting segment selection accordingly, the system avoids wasting bandwidth on high-quality video when network conditions are poor.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the delivery parameter (video bitrate) based on measured network conditions. By selecting segments from appropriate rate buckets matched to current bandwidth availability, the system optimizes the balance between video quality and bandwidth efficiency.
4Quantity of substance
If the video player waits for additional frames during download, then complete video can be delivered, but playback time is extended and user experience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system prepares multiple video segments in advance, each encoded at different rates and ready for immediate delivery. When a network request arrives, the system can immediately deliver the first segment without waiting for the complete video to be processed or for network conditions to be fully assessed, reducing initial playback delay.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically determines the delivery rate for each segment based on current network conditions rather than waiting to deliver the complete video at a fixed rate. This allows playback to start sooner with lower quality segments that can be progressively replaced by higher quality segments as network conditions improve.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for mobile video delivery. A method includes, in a mobile network comprising at least a core element and one or more evolved Node Bs (eNBs), receiving a request to initiate a progressive download of a video object, splitting the requested video object into self-contained independent video segments, transrating each of the self-contained independent video segments for different rates, and delivering a segment from a rate bucket that matches a current network condition determined by bandwidth estimation.