Video Segment Error Detection With Dynamic Rendition Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing video playback systems face challenges in efficiently detecting and mitigating errors, particularly in handling device-side and media server-side issues, leading to suboptimal playback quality across a population of devices.
Innovation Solution
A method for error detection and handling involves transcoding videos into multiple renditions, monitoring playback errors across devices, and dynamically switching to alternative renditions or re-transcoding segments based on error rates to maintain playback quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If video playback is served from a single media server, then server complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to inability to handle server-side errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a manifest file as an intermediary component that enables the video player to obtain information about alternative media servers and switch between them. The manifest file contains server identifiers and selection criteria, allowing the player to autonomously select alternative servers when errors occur, without requiring complex server-side coordination mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring multiple media servers and their identifiers in the manifest file before playback begins. This allows the video player to immediately switch to an alternative server when errors occur, without requiring real-time server discovery or complex negotiation protocols during playback.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple renditions are transcoded and stored, then adaptability to device errors is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the video content into multiple renditions with different resolutions and quality levels. Each rendition is stored as a separate sequence of segments that can be independently selected and played back based on device capabilities and network conditions, enabling flexible adaptation without requiring complex real-time processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by enabling the video player to dynamically select between different renditions based on real-time assessment of device capabilities, network conditions, and playback performance. The system can switch between renditions during playback without requiring complex re-encoding operations.
3Reliability
If error monitoring is implemented across device population, then playback quality is improved, but loss of information increases due to extensive data collection requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the video player continuously monitors playback performance metrics such as buffer underruns, decode errors, and network conditions. This performance data is used to dynamically adjust playback parameters, switch between renditions, or change media servers, enabling quality improvement through targeted data collection rather than comprehensive monitoring of all possible parameters.
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes: accessing a set of errors occurring during playback of segments of a video in a first rendition within a device population during a first time period and, during a subsequent time period, in response to receiving a first request for a first segment of the video in the first rendition: deriving, from the set of errors, a first error rate associated with the first segment in the first rendition; and, in response to the first error rate falling below a threshold, serving the first segment. The method also includes, in response to receiving a second request for a second segment of the video in the first rendition: deriving, from the set of errors, a second error rate associated with the second segment in the first rendition; and in response to the second error rate exceeding the threshold, serving the second segment in a second rendition.