Video Trick Mode Playback Using Multiple File Readers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing video playback systems lack efficient mechanisms for smooth trick mode playback, particularly in fast-forward and rewind operations, as they often require decoding all frames at higher rates, leading to performance issues with video decoders and hard drives, and result in a noticeable pause between frames.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for video trick mode playback that includes a plurality of video file readers along a video file, with a trick play engine controlling the sliding speed and direction of the playback position based on user actuation, allowing simultaneous playback of different portions of the video file at nominal frame rates and adjusting the position of each reader relative to the playback position, using a gravitational potential curve metaphor to manage playback speed and direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If video frames are decoded at higher rates for fast-forward or rewind playback, then playback speed is improved, but decoder performance and hard drive performance deteriorate due to excessive processing load
Solution Approach 1:
The video file is divided into multiple segments that are read simultaneously by multiple video file readers. Each reader handles a portion of the playback load, distributing the processing demand across multiple components rather than overwhelming a single decoder or hard drive with high-rate frame decoding.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple video file readers are combined to work together on the same video file, each contributing to the overall playback. The trick play engine coordinates these readers to deliver synchronized output at the desired playback speed without requiring any single reader to operate beyond its performance capabilities.
2Speed
If video frames are decoded at higher rates for fast-forward or rewind playback, then playback speed is improved, but visible pauses between frames occur due to processing bottlenecks
Solution Approach 1:
The video stream is segmented into multiple parallel streams processed by separate readers. This segmentation allows continuous playback by having multiple readers prepare frames in advance, eliminating visible pauses that would occur if a single reader had to decode all frames sequentially at high speed.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple video file readers proactively read and prepare video frames in advance before they are needed for display. This preliminary action ensures that frames are ready for immediate playback without interruption, maintaining smooth fast-forward or rewind operation without visible pauses.
3Reliability
If multiple video file readers are used to distribute playback load, then decoder strain is reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The trick play engine serves as an intermediary that manages the coordination between multiple video file readers and the decoder. It handles the complexity of synchronizing multiple readers, allocating their output appropriately, and controlling playback speed, thereby shielding the decoder from complexity while maintaining system reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for video trick mode playback is described, the system and method including a user actuated control operative to slide (130) a playback position along a video file, the user actuated control including a rewind actuation, a forward actuation (120) and a default neutral actuation, a player device including a plurality of video file readers (110b-110e) operative to play the video frames at nominal frame rate disposed along the video file, around the playback position, the distance between the video file readers varying according to the sliding speed of the playback position, a trick play engine to control the sliding speed and direction of the playback position, the sliding speed and direction being functions of a user actuation and a trick play engine velocity, the position at which each one of the plurality of video file readers is disposed along the video file is updated to catch-up with the playback position when the playback position is not sliding forward at nominal frame rate according to predetermined rules.