Multiplexed Video Streaming Bit Rate Allocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional video on demand services face inefficiencies due to constant bit rate encoding, which results in sub-optimal video quality and high bandwidth costs, as they struggle to adapt to varying content demands and genres, leading to unequal quality delivery across shared networks.
Innovation Solution
The method involves selecting encoder settings for each video stream to ensure the sum of bit rates does not exceed the transmission link capacity, determining the time when lower bit rates are no longer needed, and allocating surplus capacity to streams with the earliest such requirement, allowing for equitable quality streaming by adapting the delivery rate and quality of each concurrent session.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If constant bit rate encoding is used, then bandwidth reservation is simplified, but video quality becomes sub-optimal and bandwidth costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the bit rate for each video stream based on current network conditions and content characteristics. Instead of using fixed constant bit rate encoding, the encoder settings are continuously adapted to match the actual bandwidth availability and scene complexity, allowing the system to maintain high video quality while efficiently utilizing available network capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the encoding parameters (bit rate, quality level) based on the genre and characteristics of the video content. Different encoder settings are selected for different types of content (e.g., fast-moving sports versus static news), optimizing the balance between video quality and bandwidth consumption for each specific genre.
2Ease of manufacture
If constant bit rate encoding is used, then encoding simplicity is maintained, but video quality varies with content genre and time
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically selects appropriate encoder parameters based on the detected video content genre and characteristics. For example, fast-moving content receives higher bit rates while static content receives lower bit rates, maintaining consistent perceptual quality across different genres without requiring manual encoding configuration for each content type.
Solution Approach 2:
The encoding system performs self-adjustment by automatically analyzing video content characteristics and selecting appropriate encoder settings without external intervention. The system monitors scene complexity, motion levels, and other content features to dynamically optimize encoding parameters, eliminating the need for manual quality adjustment.
3Reliability
If bandwidth reservation is implemented, then quality of service is guaranteed, but network cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic bandwidth allocation that adjusts reservation levels based on actual network conditions and video stream requirements. Instead of over-reserving bandwidth for all streams, the system dynamically allocates capacity to match actual demand, ensuring quality of service is maintained while minimizing unused reserved bandwidth and associated costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor network utilization, stream quality, and bandwidth consumption in real-time. This feedback is used to continuously optimize bandwidth allocation decisions, adjusting reservation levels and encoder settings to maintain quality of service while minimizing total bandwidth costs through efficient resource utilization.
4Manufacturing precision
If variable bit rate encoding is used, then video quality can be optimized for content, but bandwidth allocation becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically adjusts encoding parameters based on content characteristics, selecting appropriate bit rates and quality levels for different video genres. This automated parameter selection optimizes video quality for each content type while the underlying system manages the complexity of variable bandwidth allocation through intelligent algorithms that adapt to network conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
A plurality of video streams is transmitted over a transmission link. At intervals, one determines for each video stream at each of a plurality of encoder settings, having regard to the amount of data buffered at a receiver for that stream, a bit rate sufficient to transmit the remainder of that stream at that encoder setting such as to avoid buffer underflow at the receiver. One determines also a critical point equal to the earliest time at which that bit rate can be reduced while still avoiding buffer underflow at the receiver. An encoder setting is chosen for each video stream such that the sum of said bit rates required for transmission of the streams does not exceed the capacity of the transmission link. Any surplus capacity of the transmission link is allocated to the stream that has the earliest critical point.