Network Recording Apparatus Dynamic Bit Rate Encoding
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Network DVR systems face inefficiencies in encoding and storage resources, particularly for not very popular content, as they often encode and store multiple bit rate versions of videos even when few clients are streaming, leading to wastage of processing and storage resources.
Innovation Solution
A network recording apparatus that dynamically adjusts encoding and storage based on the number of clients and video content complexity, using just-in-time transcoding to encode and store only a single bit rate version for low-demand content, and generating multiple bit rate versions only when needed for adaptive bit rate streaming.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple bit rate versions of video are encoded and stored for ABR streaming, then adaptive bit rate streaming quality is improved, but encoding resource consumption and storage costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the number of bit rate versions encoded based on real-time client demand. When few clients are streaming, only a single bit rate version is encoded. When multiple clients are streaming, multiple bit rate versions are encoded to support ABR. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by making encoding resources flexible rather than static.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of bit rate version count based on streaming conditions. The encoder monitors the number of active clients and adjusts the output parameter (number of bit rate versions) accordingly. This parameter change allows the system to optimize between quality and resource consumption in different operational states.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple bit rate versions of video are stored, then ABR streaming capability is improved, but storage resource wastage increases for unpopular content
Solution Approach 1:
The storage system dynamically adjusts the number of stored bit rate versions based on active streaming sessions. When few clients are streaming, only a single bit rate version is stored. When multiple clients are streaming, multiple bit rate versions are stored to enable ABR. This dynamic behavior eliminates storage wastage for unpopular content while maintaining ABR capability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the storage parameter (number of bit rate versions) based on streaming demand. The monitor detects the number of active clients and triggers parameter changes in the storage system, switching between single-version and multi-version storage modes. This resolves the contradiction by making storage resources adaptive to actual usage patterns.
3Reliability
If encoders continuously encode multiple bit rate versions, then streaming quality is maintained, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The encoder operates periodically based on triggering events rather than continuously. The monitor periodically checks for streaming events, and the encoder activates only when triggered by detected client activity. This periodic operation maintains streaming quality when needed while dramatically reducing energy consumption during idle periods when no clients are streaming.
Solution Approach 2:
The encoder's operational parameter (active/inactive state) changes based on streaming conditions. When the monitor detects client activity, the encoder transitions from inactive to active state and adjusts its output parameter (number of bit rate versions). This parameter change resolves the contradiction by aligning energy consumption with actual service delivery requirements.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
There is provided a method in a network recording apparatus, the method comprising: receiving a video; determining how many clients the video is being distributed to; and encoding and storing of the video dependent upon how many clients the video is being distributed to.