Streaming Media Slicing for Random Access Playback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current live streaming technologies face challenges in providing a seamless viewing experience due to real-time requirements, network fluctuations, and data loss, which result in pausing and snowy screens, especially when users attempt to drag-to-play or skip content.
Innovation Solution
The method involves slicing streaming media files into predefined time units, creating playing sequence numbers based on time data, and establishing a mapping relationship between slices and sequence numbers, with calibration for data loss, allowing for precise resumption and key frame identification to prevent snowy screens.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If streaming media files are pre-processed with timestamps and sliced for drag-to-play functionality, then random access capability is improved, but processing complexity and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The streaming media file is divided into multiple slices based on time units, with each slice containing a specific time segment. This segmentation enables random access to different portions of the content without processing the entire file, improving ease of operation while managing processing complexity through incremental slicing.
Solution Approach 2:
The media file is pre-sliced into time-based segments before playback, with sequence numbers assigned in advance. This preliminary action allows the playback device to directly jump to any slice based on user request, providing rapid random access without real-time processing overhead.
2Speed
If media files are sliced and pre-processed for on-demand services, then user access speed is improved, but network bandwidth consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
By slicing the media file into smaller time-based segments, the system enables users to access only the specific portions they need rather than downloading entire files. This segmentation reduces unnecessary network bandwidth consumption while maintaining fast access speeds for requested content.
Solution Approach 2:
The playback device autonomously determines which slices to download based on user requests and sequence numbers, without requiring server-side processing for each access request. This self-service mechanism reduces network overhead by eliminating repeated processing and transmission of control information.
3Speed
If live streaming content is received in real-time without pre-processing, then real-time playback capability is improved, but ability to handle pausing and resumption deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The live streaming content is divided into time-based slices with sequence numbers assigned during reception. This segmentation allows the playback device to store slices locally and resume playback from any point by requesting specific slice sequences, improving reliability for pausing and resumption while maintaining real-time playback capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The sequence numbers act as an intermediary between the received streaming content and the playback control mechanism. This intermediary enables the system to track and manage slices independently, facilitating reliable pausing and resumption without compromising real-time playback performance.
4Measurement precision
If playing sequence numbers are created based on time data, then playback accuracy is improved, but susceptibility to data loss and calibration issues increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates a calibration mechanism that monitors playback progress and detects deviations from expected sequence numbers. When data loss or calibration issues are detected, the system can request retransmission of specific slices or adjust the playback sequence, maintaining reliability while preserving time-based playback accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The playback system dynamically adjusts the sequence number calibration based on actual playback conditions and detected data loss. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain accurate time-based playback while compensating for network issues and data loss through real-time calibration adjustments.
Data Source
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AI summary
A streaming media file processing method and a live streaming system are provided. The method includes slicing a streaming media file into slices according to a preset time unit; creating a playing sequence number for each slice based on time data, where the playing sequence number is used to determine an order of playing back the slices; and storing the slices and the playing sequence numbers of the slices separately and establishing a mapping relationship between the slices and the corresponding playing sequence numbers. The present disclosure slices the streaming media file based on the preset time unit, and creates the playing sequence number for each slice based on time data, and selects and processes the slice file corresponding to the playing sequence number based on the time information, which facilities the subsequent operation to the slice file. In addition, the present disclosure also provides a live streaming system.