Video Breakthroughs

VMs have enabled a new public utility of cloud-based computing, providing IT resources that are charged based on usage. This new utility has transformed the way IT companies deploy applications hosted on x86 server architecture, allowing them to quickly deploy new software and services.

More recently, vendors of broadcast technology have extended their use of the x86 Intel server architecture as they move towards workflows based on files. In the early days, it was back-room systems such as Traffic and Scheduling that made the most use of an x86 architecture. As IT servers become ever more powerful, many of the broadcasting tasks, which historically have been handled by unique proprietary DSPs, are now able to be carried out, using software, on standard IT servers. If we look at an entire workflow — ingest, transmission and uplink — of a typical publisher-broadcaster, we will find IT servers running applications at every stage.

ABSTRACT OF LUCIANO ROMERO'S THESIS :

Adaptive streaming approaches overHypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), such as Apple’sHTTP Live streaming (HLS) andMicrosoft’s Live Smooth Streaming, have recently become very popular. This master’s thesis project developed and evaluated several media rate adaptation algorithms optimized for mobile networks with a client running on Google’s Android operating system. The deployed service supports HLS and the emerging ISO/IEC MPEG standard called Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP (MPEG-DASH).

Live media was the focus of the evaluation, since this content can not be cached in advance at the user’s device, hence the quality of the user’s experience will be affected by the currently available bandwidth which the user can utilize. Experiments were performed for multiple scenarios illustrating different network capabilities, especially various amounts of bandwidth available to the user.

This project has produced an implementation of HTTP-based adaptive streaming. This implementation follows the MPEG standard and enables robust and smooth playback of live video content via Google’s Android devices. Results of the experiments have shown that the proposed adaptation mechanisms efficiently utilize the available bandwidth of the network. A
clear conclusion of this thesis is that adaptive streaming will in fact enable substantial numbers of users to enjoy live media streaming to their devices.

READ THESIS HERE : http://web.it.kth.se/~maguire/DEGREE-PROJECT-REPORTS/111006-Luciano-Rubio-with-cover.pdf

Multimedia is one of the most important component in the mobile devices. The main goal of this project is to add the new "streaming standard" into Android multimedia framework allowing adaptation using also full-HD sequences.

Natively Android framework is already able to support video streaming using Apple HLS standard. The idea is to extend the handler adding all the logic to manage playlists not only in m3u8 format but also as MPD file (Media Presentation Description).

Also the work enrich the multimedia framework of a new component to add a basic set of adaptation heuristics acts to adapt dynamically the streaming bit-rate in use accordingly to some basic platform information like screen resolution and average system throughput.

Qwilt, the provider of network video-infrastructure technology, is debuting its video delivery solution, which aims to give carriers control over Internet-video traffic in their networks.

For background, Qwilt helps Internet-service providers more efficiently and cost-effectively deliver high-quality video to their customers. That means more consumers can see video from sources like Netflix, YouTube and Hulu in the highest possible quality, when they want.

Qwilt’s video-technology company solves a pretty big problem related to the recent explosion of video being delivered over the Internet (through Netflix, YouTube, Hulu, etc.), on multiple screens. Video now represents up more than two-thirds of all online activity is and expected to grow beyond that. Streaming videos from the Netflix service alone make up 30% of Internet traffic during peak evening hours today. There is an enormous strain all this new content is putting on Internet providers.

SEE THEIR 2012 CDN SUMMIT PRESENTATION : http://conferences.infotoday.com/documents/150/2012CDNSummit-Qwilt.pdf

ActiveVideo Networks, creators of CloudTV, the advanced TV software platform based entirely in the cloud, today announced the general availability of its CloudTV H5 platform that can bring any navigation interface or application written in HTML5 to any digital set-top box or connected CE device.

The scalable and battle-tested CloudTV H5 platform utilizes highly-optimized HTML5 browser technology running in remote servers to execute and render complete user experiences in the cloud. The fully-formed user experience is then streamed to the user's device in a bandwidth-efficient adaptive bit rate video stream. Subscribers control the experience by using their remote controls to send key presses to the remote browser, controlling the application in the same way as they would if it were running locally. Surprisingly, the latency between a customer key press and the UI response is minimal.

It has long been a challenge to achieve consistent sound levels that don't force listeners to readjust their set at every program junction. Today's multichannel world, with playout systems sequencing programs, commercials and trails, means there is no scope for manual adjustment of levels. Instead, volume management policies must be defined. The ITU BS.1770 measurement has been around for a few years and defines an algorithm for loudness measurement. However, it offers no guidance over the values that might offer suitable settings. This challenges manufacturers to keep up with an evolving set of measurement norms by allowing a significant number of user variables. Incorrect setting of these can cause major variations in the values displayed, and a thorough understanding of loudness is necessary to correctly configure a meter so that it gives the required measurements.

There’s plenty of talk about “editing in the cloud,” and the common catchphrase I’ve heard is, “You could replace your microwave truck with a Starbucks.” In other words, cloud-enabled devices will let you edit anywhere with a Wi-Fi connection. There were three companies at the show with viable cloud solutions for post and news: Avid, Quantel and Aframe.

"Many service providers are exploring the potential of CDN interconnection and CDN federations. This session will review the business rationale behind this trend and introduce the "CDN Federation Pilot" project. A current program under which leading SPs worldwide have been implementing a long-term, large-scale, multi-phased initiative to plan, deploy, and test an open CDN federation pilot. While the first phase of the CDN Federation pilot proved the concept of a CDN Federation and its essential capabilities, the second phase investigated advanced capabilities across the federation. The lessons learnt from this second phase will also be presented."

SEE ALL 2012 CDN SUMMIT PRESENTATIONS : http://www.contentdeliverysummit.com/2012/Agenda.aspx