Video Distribution and Streaming
Benny Bing · 2015
This chapter evaluates important metrics (e.g., video chunk duration and bit rate) that impact the efficiency of adaptive streaming. An in-depth review on the practical performance of popular adaptive streaming platforms (Apple's Hyper-Text Transfer Protocol Live Streaming (HLS) and Microsoft's smooth streaming (MSS)) over a variety of wireless networks are presented. The video quality of the chunks (i.e., bit rate or resolution) can be switched dynamically and seamlessly to adapt to fluctuating link conditions and end-user device resources. The dynamic adaptive streaming over HTTP (DASH) standard aims to define an interoperable delivery format that provides end users with the best possible media experience by dynamically adapting the media to changing network conditions. The key to the successful adaptive streaming is the ability to switch between different quality levels without a perceptible change in the video quality.