Multimedia Encoder Timeline Synchronization for Live Audio Video
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for encoding live multimedia content often face synchronization issues between audio and video data, leading to desynchronization when multiplexed into container files, due to inconsistencies in timestamps generated by different hardware and software, and restrictions in container file formats that can result in gaps or overlays.
Innovation Solution
A method that generates a timeline using video data timestamps to align and synchronize audio data with video data, adjusting audio samples to match the timeline's time windows and measuring synchronization values to realign audio data when necessary, ensuring accurate multiplexing into container files without gaps or overlays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If audio data and video data are multiplexed using separate timestamp systems, then encoding flexibility is improved, but synchronization accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the separate timestamp systems for audio and video data into a unified timeline. The encoder creates a single timeline that incorporates timestamps from both audio and video streams, allowing synchronized reference points to be established across both data types. This unification enables the multiplexing process to maintain both encoding flexibility and synchronization accuracy by using the combined timeline as the authoritative reference for aligning audio and video packets in the output container.
2Stability of the object's composition
If container file formats enforce strict timing constraints, then playback consistency is improved, but encoding complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by constructing the unified timeline and calculating synchronization points during the encoding phase, before the actual multiplexing occurs. The encoder pre-determines the alignment relationships between audio and video packets based on the unified timeline, and embeds this timing information into the encoded stream. This preliminary preparation ensures that playback consistency is achieved without requiring complex real-time synchronization logic during playback, as the timing relationships are already established in the encoded container file.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for encoding live multimedia content with audio data synchronized with other streams of data, including video data, in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. In one embodiment of the invention, an encoding system includes multimedia content storage configured to store live multimedia content including audio data and video data, a processor, and a multimedia encoder, wherein the multimedia encoder configures the processor to receive live multimedia content, generate a timeline using the video data, compute a first time window, align the audio data to the video data using the audio data samples and the timeline, measure a synchronization value of the aligned audio data to the video data using the timeline, realign the audio data to the video data when the synchronization value exceeds a threshold value using the timeline, and multiplex the audio data and video data into a container file.