Video Playback Waiting Time Calculation for Buffer Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current video on demand systems face challenges in reducing waiting time for viewing digital content without compromising video quality, particularly when the network bit rate is lower than the encoding bit rate, leading to issues like jerks and image freezes.
Innovation Solution
A method that calculates a waiting time before rendering, taking into account the download rate and encoding rate, allowing for precise determination of when the video can be started without interruptions, using formulas for both constant and variable bit rate encoding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the device receives video data in real-time with a small buffer, then the waiting time is reduced, but the video quality deteriorates causing stuttering and freezing
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-calculates the exact waiting time needed before playback based on the relationship between download rate and encoding rate. This allows the device to prepare the buffer in advance with the precise amount of data needed, avoiding both excessive waiting and quality degradation. The waiting time is determined beforehand using the formula: waiting time = (encoding rate / download rate) - 1, ensuring optimal buffer filling without overfilling.
2Reliability
If the device waits until more data is stored than strictly necessary, then video playback quality is maintained, but the waiting time becomes unnecessarily long
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the buffer filling strategy by changing the parameter of waiting time calculation based on the actual download rate and encoding rate relationship. Instead of using a fixed buffer size or arbitrary waiting period, the system calculates the optimal waiting time as a function of the rate ratio (encoding rate / download rate). This parameter optimization ensures the buffer is filled to the minimum necessary level, eliminating unnecessary waiting time while maintaining playback quality.
3Productivity
If the device uses a receiving buffer of a given capacity, then real-time video on demand can function, but the device cannot properly display content when network connection is below video bitrate
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring the relationship between download rate and encoding rate. Based on this feedback, the system adjusts the waiting time calculation to ensure the buffer is filled sufficiently to handle variations in network conditions. The feedback loop ensures that when network connection drops below video bitrate, the pre-calculated waiting time compensates for the deficit, maintaining reliable content display without requiring excessive buffer capacity.
Data Source
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AI summary
The method involves encoding digital content (4) with a coding rate, and receiving the digital content with a download data rate in the form of a data stream. An access request for restitution of the digital content is requested by a terminal (2), and waiting time before restitution is calculated by taking into account the download data rate and the coding rate associated with the content and a network i.e. Internet (3), where the calculation of the waiting time is a function of relationship between the coding rate and the download data rate. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a terminal for restitution of digital content (2) a server ready to transmit digital content (3) a computer program for restitution of digital content (4) a computer program for transmitting digital content.