Multimedia Content Distribution via NPVR and Broadcast Server
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current multimedia content recording solutions, such as local PVR and NPVR, face limitations in simultaneous recordings due to device capacity and require quality adjustments for network bandwidth, and do not allow content access until recording and processing are complete.
Innovation Solution
A multimedia content distribution system that includes a real-time broadcasting server and a centralized NPVR system, where content is recorded in high definition on a network storage server and transmitted unicast to user equipment, which can switch to low definition if bandwidth is insufficient, ensuring uninterrupted playback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If content is recorded and delivered through centralized network servers (NPVR), then content can be stored and accessed remotely, but the recording quality must be limited to accommodate network bandwidth constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments content delivery into two distinct paths: high-definition content is delivered directly from the broadcasting server to the user's terminal without passing through network storage servers, while only metadata and control signals are routed through the network. This segmentation allows HD quality preservation while still enabling remote access capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The broadcasting server acts as an intermediary that directly streams HD content to user terminals, bypassing the network storage servers for the actual video data. The network storage servers only handle metadata and control functions, serving as mediators for content management rather than content delivery.
2Manufacturing precision
If content is recorded locally (local PVR), then recording quality is maintained, but the number of simultaneous recordings is limited by the receiver's capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The system moves the storage dimension from local device storage to network-based storage infrastructure, while maintaining direct HD streaming paths. This dimensional shift allows multiple simultaneous recordings across different user terminals without being constrained by any single receiver's local storage capacity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If content is delivered through network servers, then remote access is enabled, but content cannot be accessed until recording, processing, and delivery are complete
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-processing and preparing content segments on the broadcasting server before user requests. Content is segmented and buffered in advance, allowing immediate streaming delivery when users request content, eliminating the need to wait for complete recording and processing cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The broadcasting server maintains continuous content streaming to user terminals, ensuring uninterrupted content delivery. The system keeps content streams active and ready for playback without interruption, allowing users to access content immediately without waiting for discrete recording and processing completion.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
This multimedia content distribution system (100) comprises: - a server (RTBS) for broadcasting real-time multimedia content; and - a centralised system (NPVR) able to record, in at least one storage server (PSS) of the network, at least one item of multimedia content broadcast by said broadcast server (BS) on receipt of a recording request (REQREC) sent by a user. The centralised system (NPVR) comprises a communication module (MCOM) able to transmit, in high definition, at least one part of said item of multimedia content to a device (PVR) of said user, before the user formulates a request to display said content.