Context aware HTTP streaming

Presentation at the 2010 Verdikt-conference

By Paul Vigmostad, Netview Technology AS

Representing the Hystream project:

Netview

Content

Overview of Hystream project

Introduction to our field: Adaptive HTTP streaming

Summary of previous adaptive HTTP research

Current context aware adaptive HTTP research

Utilization of research results

Demonstration of Netview media player

Netview

Hystream

BIP project

Runs 2006 – 2011

Participants:

Netview Technology AS, Simula Research Laboratory, University of Oslo and National University of Singapore

Research topic:

Video streaming and scalability

NRC let us modify our topic two years ago

Hystream now focus on adaptive HTTP clients

Netview

Netview

Methods

Method: Prototyping

Implement new/improved functionality

Publish on: Descriptions of systems or parts, efficiency, comparisons to alternatives, use in new context

Often easier to publish working systems

Highly relevant for product

Initial method: Simulations

Left this method in early phase of project

Mop-up research

Challenges arising after invention of adaptive HTTP

Netview

Adaptive HTTP:

Video clips:

2-10 seconds

5-6 bitrates

Can change at end of each clip

Multiple solutions

Microsoft Smooth

Apple Live HTTP

Adobe HTTP dynamic

Others Netview

Why?

Answer to:

Network variation

Device heterogenity

Combines:

Always an offering

HD when possible

Fits current product chain

H.264, HTTP, webcache

Netview

Previous research

Improve adaptive HTTP streaming

Inventions: New format, new container, new tracker

Engineering: Faster, better facilitate search

Netview client used in partner research projects

Intra video search (iAD-project)

Multi-link connectivity (SimTel-project)

Video slide-show (Microsoft-Simula)

Netview

Current research: Context awareness

Aim: Best possible viewing experience

Meaning a high and stable bit-rate

Client has two means to meet this aim

Decide appropriate bit-rate

Decide what to pre-fetch (bit-rates & duration)

Information on context help in deciding

Predicted bandwidth based on network type, historic measurements, position, paths etc

Type of content, type of device

Duration of viewing session

Netview

Case study

Three commuter routes to Oslo

Ferry, bus and subway

Available context information

Position through GPS

Identification of path

Historic bandwidth along path

Duration of viewing session (stipulated)

Task

Tune bit-rate selection and pre-fetching to get a stable high bit-rate for the complete commute.

Netview

Subway

Rødtvedt Oslo S

Low bandwidth in tunnel

Netview

Bus

Ljan Oslo S

Missing GPS signal most of the time creates uncertainties.

Netview

Ferry

Nesodden Oslo

Lower bandwith far from shore

Netview

Algorithms

Netview

Please visit our poster to study our algorithms

Results (Ferry)

Blue: No planning

Red: Planning

Planning improves viewing experience

Save in affluence

Spend when need

Netview

Utilization of results

Integration in Netview's media clients

(Next slide)

Publications

Including at large impact conferences like ACM Multimedia

Use of client in cooperating research projects

iAD, SimTel and Microsoft FAST

Patent (one application so far)

PhD-education

Netview

Netview media clients

Broad format support

Including adaptive formats: Smooth, Apple Live etc

Support multiple architectures and platforms

Delivered PC and Set-top box versions

Mobiles version (with Telenor) expected Q1 2011

Context awareness more important in wireless streaming

Product versions

Full media player

Module integrated with third party players (for STB/mobiles)

A high-quality adaptive HTTP player

Result of research

Netview

Demo

Netview

Demonstration of Netview Media Player