Video Encoder Bitrate Controller for Storage Capacity Planning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current bitrate control methods in digital video systems, such as CBR, MBR, and VBR, fail to effectively manage storage capacity and ensure predictable video retention times, especially in bandwidth-limited or storage-constrained environments, leading to potential loss of video data due to high output bitrates during scenes with motion.
Innovation Solution
A method and bitrate controller that sets a long-term bit budget for a video encoder, determining both a first allowable bitrate based on this budget and a second allowable bitrate based on instantaneous restrictions, such as available bandwidth, to dynamically control output bitrate, ensuring compliance with both long-term storage needs and short-term bandwidth limitations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If VBR (variable bitrate) is used to maintain constant image quality, then image quality is improved, but output bitrate increases excessively during motion scenes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic bitrate control by introducing a long-term bit budget mechanism that adjusts the allowable bitrate over time based on historical consumption patterns. The system divides the long-term budget into short-term budgets and dynamically adjusts them according to actual bitrate consumption, enabling the system to adapt to varying scene complexity while maintaining quality consistency and preventing excessive bitrate spikes during motion scenes.
2Ease of operation
If CBR (constant bitrate) is used to simplify storage capacity estimation, then storage planning becomes easier, but image quality deteriorates during motion scenes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the bitrate control into multiple time scales: long-term bit budget (overall storage planning), short-term bit budgets (immediate control), and instantaneous bitrate adjustment. This segmentation allows the system to maintain constant storage capacity estimation capability while enabling quality adaptation through the hierarchical budget structure, where long-term budgets provide predictability and short-term budgets enable quality maintenance during motion.
3Adaptability or versatility
If MBR (maximum bitrate) is used to allow bitrate variation within a limit, then flexibility is improved, but storage capacity cannot be guaranteed when motion occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-calculating long-term bit budgets based on desired retention times and storage capacities before encoding begins. These long-term budgets are then divided into short-term budgets that are allocated in advance. This preliminary budget allocation ensures that storage capacity is guaranteed from the outset, while the dynamic adjustment mechanism provides the necessary flexibility to handle motion scenes without exceeding the predetermined storage constraints.
4Manufacturing precision
If high bitrate is used during motion scenes to maintain quality, then image quality is improved, but storage capacity is exceeded and video data is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system continuously monitors actual bitrate consumption against the long-term bit budget and adjusts short-term budgets accordingly. When bitrate consumption approaches the budget limit, the system proactively reduces the allowable bitrate for upcoming short-term periods. This feedback loop prevents storage capacity from being exceeded while maintaining quality through intelligent bitrate management rather than simple reduction.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of controlling output bitrate of a video encoder encoding a video sequence. The method comprises setting a long-term bit budget for a time period of at least one day for output of the video encoder, and determining a first allowable bitrate based on the long-term bit budget. The method further comprises determining an instantaneous bit restriction for output of the video encoder, and determining a second allowable bitrate based on the instantaneous bit restriction. Output bitrate is controlled based on the first allowable bitrate and the second allowable bitrate, such that the long-term bit budget, the first allowable bitrate and the second allowable bitrate are complied with. The method may be performed in a non-transitory computer-readable medium having instruction stored thereon. The method may also be performed by a bitrate controller. The bitrate controller may be found in a camera and a network video recorder.