Customized Video Manifest Switching Without Re-encoding Delay
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Solution Overview
Problem
Preparing and distributing a video channel to a network affiliate involves decompression and subsequent compression of video content, which adversely affects video quality, imposes expensive equipment requirements, and causes additional processing delay.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for providing a customized manifest representing a video channel that facilitates switching between live sources and files without requiring additional video processing, such as decompression or compression, by manipulating input manifests using SCTE-35 markers for seamless transitions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If video content is decompressed and then compressed for distribution to network affiliates, then the video channel can be customized and distributed, but video quality deteriorates and processing delay increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a manifest file that is a data structure representation of the video channel configuration, rather than manipulating the actual video content. The manifest contains metadata about video segments, sources, and transitions, allowing customization without touching the video data itself. This copying approach to configuration data preserves video quality while enabling channel customization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical video processing system (decompression/compression equipment) with an information processing system that manipulates manifest files. Instead of physically processing video streams through encoding/decoding hardware, the system uses software to generate and modify manifest data structures, substituting mechanical video manipulation with digital information manipulation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If video content is decompressed and compressed for distribution, then video channel customization is enabled, but expensive equipment is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses manifest files as data structure copies that describe video channel configuration. These manifest files contain all necessary information about video segments, sources, and transitions without requiring the actual video content or expensive processing equipment. The system manipulates these data structure copies to achieve customization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes expensive video processing equipment with software-based manifest file manipulation. The system uses standard computing devices to generate and modify manifest data structures, replacing the need for specialized decompression/compression hardware with general-purpose information processing systems.
3Productivity
If video content undergoes decompression and compression processing, then video channel distribution is achieved, but processing delay increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-generating manifest files that describe the video channel configuration before actual video distribution. The manifest files are created in advance with all necessary metadata about video segments, sources, and transitions, so that during distribution, no real-time video processing is needed. This preliminary preparation of configuration data eliminates processing delays during live distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces time-consuming video decompression/compression operations with rapid manifest file generation and manipulation. The system uses software to quickly process and generate manifest data structures, which takes significantly less time than mechanical video encoding/decoding operations, thereby reducing processing delay in video channel distribution.
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems and methods for providing an output manifest are disclosed. According to at least one embodiment, a method of providing an output manifest representing a video channel includes: receiving, from a channel requester, a request for the output manifest; receiving input manifests including first and second input manifests; and creating the output manifest in response to receiving the request. Creating the output manifest includes: selecting at least one segment of the first input manifest, the at least one first input manifest segment bordered by a first marker; selecting at least one segment of the second input manifest, the at least one second input manifest segment bordered by a second marker common to the first marker; and creating the output manifest to include the at least one first input manifest segment followed by the at least one second input manifest segment. The output manifest is provided to the channel requester.