Video Stream Switching via Key Frame DTS Matching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing streaming media servers face delays in video playback due to the size of the Group of Pictures (GOP) frame number, where larger GOP frame numbers reduce delay but lower video quality, and smaller GOP frame numbers improve delay but compromise quality.
Innovation Solution
A method and device for switching video streams by acquiring two video streams with different GOP frame numbers, sending the stream with a smaller GOP frame number first, searching for a key frame, extracting its decoding timestamp, and then switching to the stream with a larger GOP frame number if a matching key frame is found, ensuring low delay and improved video quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the frame number in the GOP is set to be large, then the delay for video playback is reduced, but the video quality becomes lower
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically switches between video streams with different GOP frame numbers based on playback progress. Initially, it sends streams with smaller GOP frame numbers for quick startup, then transitions to streams with larger GOP frame numbers for better quality, making the system adaptable rather than static
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the GOP frame number parameter during playback by switching between different video streams. It starts with streams having smaller GOP frame numbers (e.g., 15) for fast playback, then switches to streams with larger GOP frame numbers (e.g., 30 or 60) to improve video quality while maintaining acceptable delay
2Loss of time
If the frame number in the GOP is set to be small, then the delay of video playback is reduced, but the video quality becomes lower
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the GOP frame number by switching between different video streams based on playback progress. It starts with smaller GOP frame numbers for fast startup, then transitions to larger GOP frame numbers for better quality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the GOP frame number parameter during playback by switching between different video streams. It starts with streams having smaller GOP frame numbers (e.g., 15) for fast playback, then switches to streams with larger GOP frame numbers (e.g., 30 or 60) to improve video quality
3Loss of time
If multiple video streams with different GOP frame numbers are prepared and switched between, then both playback delay and video quality are optimized, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent prepares multiple video streams with different GOP frame numbers in advance and stores them in the cache. This preliminary preparation allows the system to quickly switch between streams without real-time processing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates multiple copies of the same video content with different GOP frame numbers (e.g., 15, 30, 60). These copies are pre-processed and stored, allowing simple switching based on playback progress without complex real-time processing
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a method and device for switching video streams. The method comprises: acquiring video streams of a video in response to receiving a playback request for the video sent by a terminal, the video streams comprising: a video stream with a first group of pictures (GOP) frame number and a video stream with a second GOP frame number; sending the video stream with the first GOP frame number to the terminal, searching for a third key frame in the video stream with the first GOP frame number, and extracting a decoding time stamp (DTS) of the third key frame; searching the video stream with the second GOP frame number for a frame having an identical DTS; determining whether the frame is a fourth key frame in response to finding the frame having the identical DTS; and sending the video stream with the second GOP frame number to the terminal.