Scalable Video Encoding Base and Difference Streams
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current video streaming systems face challenges in efficiently transmitting high-resolution videos like 4K over narrow bandwidth, requiring significant bandwidth and costly infrastructure due to the high bitrates needed for maintaining resolution and quality.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a streaming system that uses SHVC encoding technology to generate base streams and difference bit streams, where base streams are shared between the encoder and decoder, and only difference bit streams are transmitted, allowing for efficient bandwidth usage and reducing the need for specialized decoders.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional video encoding is used to transmit high-resolution videos, then video quality is maintained, but transmission bandwidth requirement increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The video stream is segmented into base layer and enhancement layer. The base layer contains essential video information that can be decoded independently, while the enhancement layer contains additional details for higher resolution. This segmentation allows receivers with limited bandwidth to decode only the base layer, while those with more bandwidth can utilize both layers for enhanced quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The encoding system changes the resolution parameter dynamically by providing multiple enhancement layers corresponding to different resolution levels (e.g., 4K, 2K, 1080p). Receivers can select the appropriate enhancement layer based on their display capabilities and network conditions, optimizing the balance between video quality and bandwidth consumption.
2Measurement precision
If specialized decoders are used to maintain high-resolution video quality, then video quality is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The base layer is designed to be universally decodable by standard HEVC decoders without requiring specialized hardware. The enhancement layers are structured to be optionally processed by the same decoder, making the decoder multi-functional - it can handle both basic decoding and enhanced decoding using the same hardware resources, thereby reducing device complexity and cost.
3Measurement precision
If high bitrate is used for 4K video transmission, then resolution quality is maintained, but transmission infrastructure cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts the video stream to different network conditions and receiver capabilities through scalable video coding. The base layer ensures minimum quality at lower bitrates, while enhancement layers provide progressive quality improvement as bandwidth increases. This dynamic adaptation eliminates the need for expensive high-bandwidth infrastructure by allowing quality to scale with available resources.
Data Source
AI summary
According to an embodiment, an encoding device includes a storage controller, a difference generator, and a communication controller. The storage controller is configured to store a base stream in a storage. The base stream serves as basis for encoding and decoding and is shared with a decoding device. The difference generator is configured to generate a difference bit stream that represents difference between an input bit stream that has been input and the base stream. The communication controller is configured to control a communicating unit to transmit the difference bit stream.