Transport Stream Synchronization for Seamless Playout Changeover
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current industry implementations of transport stream playout do not incorporate a clean switch from a main playout server to a backup playout server, leading to potential disruptions and artifacts during a failure.
Innovation Solution
An output server system that includes a transceiver and processor to receive multiple transport streams, synchronize them using a frametime based on content item start times and progression, and generate a seamless output by switching between streams.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional transport stream playout switching is used, then the broadcast system can switch between primary and backup playout servers, but the switch produces artifacts and interruptions rather than a clean transition
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary synchronization by calculating the frametime offset between primary and backup transport streams before switching occurs. This advance preparation ensures that when the switch happens, both streams are precisely aligned at frame boundaries, preventing artifacts and interruptions during the transition.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an intermediary synchronization mechanism that mediates between the primary and backup transport streams. By using frametime calculations and packet synchronization as an intermediary layer, the system coordinates the timing and alignment of both streams, enabling a clean switch without direct conflict between them.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If SDI switchers with physical components are used, then clean switching between outputs can be achieved, but the system cannot be implemented in cloud or virtual machine environments
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the mechanical SDI switcher system with a software-based transport stream synchronization and switching mechanism. By substituting physical hardware components with software processing that calculates frametime offsets and synchronizes packets, the system achieves clean switching capability in virtualized and cloud environments where physical SDI equipment cannot be deployed.
Solution Approach 2:
The software-based synchronization mechanism provides universal functionality that works across multiple platforms and environments. The same frametime calculation and packet synchronization algorithms function effectively in both traditional broadcast infrastructure and modern cloud/virtual machine deployments, making the solution adaptable to diverse implementation contexts.
3Productivity
If transport streams are switched without frametime synchronization, then the switching process is simpler and faster, but synchronization errors and timing mismatches occur between streams
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary frametime calculation and synchronization analysis before the actual switch occurs. By pre-computing the timing offsets and alignment requirements between streams, the system prepares synchronization parameters in advance, allowing the actual switch to execute quickly without sacrificing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The synchronization mechanism uses feedback from packet timing analysis to adjust and refine frametime calculations. By continuously monitoring packet arrival times and synchronization status, the system can make real-time adjustments to maintain precise alignment between streams while keeping the switching process efficient.
Data Source
AI summary
A device, system, and method perform an automatic change over for transport streams. The method is performed at an output server. The method includes selecting a first transport stream. The method includes generating a first portion of an output based on the first transport stream. The method includes selecting a second transport stream. The method includes determining a frametime to synchronize first packets of the first transport stream to second packets of the second transport stream. The frametime is based on a start time of a content item included in the first transport stream and the second transport stream and a completed progression of the content item using the first transport stream. The method includes determining a location in the second transport stream based on the frametime. The method includes generating a second portion of the output based on the second transport stream starting at the location.