Multicast Media Stream Transcoding for Browser Playback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for processing, distribution, and playback of media content face challenges such as format compatibility, high equipment costs, latency, and inefficient bandwidth utilization, particularly when relying on browser plugins and transcoding processes.
Innovation Solution
The system processes media content by receiving a multicast stream, generating a unicast stream, transcoding it to a format supported by standard web browsers, and transmitting it over TCP channels using web sockets for playback, thereby eliminating the need for browser plugins and optimizing bandwidth usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If browser plugins are used for media playback, then format compatibility is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the media processing functionality from browser plugins and moves it to standard web browser capabilities through HTML5 video tags and native codec support, eliminating the need for external plugin installations while maintaining format compatibility
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements universal media playback by supporting multiple media formats (H.264, H.265, VP9, AV1) through standardized browser interfaces, allowing a single browser installation to handle various media types without requiring format-specific plugins
2Adaptability or versatility
If transcoding is performed to support multiple formats, then adaptability is improved, but processing time and latency increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary transcoding at the source end before distribution, converting media content into multiple standardized formats in advance. This allows client devices to receive pre-processed streams in formats compatible with their capabilities, eliminating real-time transcoding delays
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically selects and delivers appropriate pre-transcoded formats based on client device capabilities and network conditions, matching the right pre-processed stream to the right client without requiring runtime format conversion
3Loss of energy
If multicast streaming is used, then bandwidth efficiency is improved, but compatibility with standard web browsers deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the streaming protocol into standardized HTTP-based components that web browsers can natively handle, breaking down the multicast protocol into manageable chunks that can be delivered through standard web infrastructure while maintaining efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary translation layer that converts multicast stream data into standard HTTP/HTTPS formats compatible with web browsers, acting as a mediator between efficient multicast delivery and browser-native playback capabilities
4Adaptability or versatility
If unicast streaming is used for each client, then browser compatibility is improved, but bandwidth consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges multiple unicast streams into a single standardized HTTP delivery mechanism, combining the compatibility benefits of unicast with the bandwidth efficiency of shared delivery through common HTTP caching and CDN infrastructure
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques and systems are provided for processing media data. For example, methods, apparatuses, and computer-readable media are described that can include receiving a multicast stream of media content, and dividing the multicast stream of media content into data fragments. In some cases, the multicast stream of media content can be transcoded from a first media format to a second media format. The data fragments can be transmitted, over one or more Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) channels using a web socket protocol, to a browser of the computing device for playback.