Late Assignment Pool for RSDVR Storage Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Managing a centralized remote storage digital video recorder (RSDVR) system is challenging due to the need for substantial disk storage and processing resources to maintain multiple copies of media programs, especially when many users record the same program, compounded by adaptive media streaming techniques that encode content at different bitrates.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an automated process that initially records a pool of media program copies without assigning them to specific users, allowing late assignment on demand and proactive deletion of unused copies based on diminishing user interest, thereby reducing storage and processing demands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple copies of media programs are recorded for each user in a centralized RSDVR system, then user access reliability is improved, but disk storage requirements and processing resources increase substantially
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple users share a common pool of recorded program copies instead of each user having dedicated copies. The system consolidates storage resources into a centralized pool that serves multiple users, reducing total storage requirements while maintaining access reliability through shared availability.
Solution Approach 2:
Recorded program copies serve multiple users simultaneously rather than being dedicated to a single user. Each copy in the pool can be accessed by any user who has recorded the program, making the storage resources universal and multi-functional across the user base.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple copies of media programs are maintained in the RSDVR system, then program availability for simultaneous users is improved, but processing resources and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges copy management into a unified pool structure where all recorded programs are managed collectively rather than as separate user-specific entities. This consolidation reduces the complexity of tracking and managing individual copies for each user while maintaining the ability to serve multiple simultaneous users.
3Adaptability or versatility
If adaptive media streaming encodes content at different bitrates for various client devices, then client device compatibility is improved, but storage requirements and processing overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple bitrate versions of the same program are merged into a single pool entry rather than being stored as separate user-specific copies. The system consolidates adaptive streaming variants into shared pool resources, reducing total storage requirements while maintaining compatibility across different client devices.
Data Source
AI summary
A remote storage digital video recorder (RSDVR) retains multiple copies of media programs so long as the copies are expected to be useful to at least one user. Rather than assigning copies to specific users at the time the program is recorded, copies can be assigned as the users request access to the particular media programs. Copies of unassigned programs can be deleted according to a schedule to reduce disk storage and processing demands on the system. A pool of program copies that are not initially assigned to particular users can be maintained until the user makes a specific request to view the program. This “late assignment” of program copies can substantially reduce the amount of data stored by the RSDVR system without substantially impacting the viewer experience.