Future buffer based adaptation for VBR video streaming over HTTP

Abstract

HTTP streaming has become a cost effective means for video delivery nowadays. To enable adaptivity to networks and terminals, a provider should generate multiple representations of an original video as well as the related signaling metadata. So far, most previous studies have just focused on the case of CBR (constant bit rate) video. In this paper, we propose a novel adaptation method for VBR (variable bitrate) video streaming. Based on a trellis representation to estimate future buffer levels, the proposed method can provide smooth video quality while avoiding buffer underflows. The experimental results show that our approach can perform effectively under drastic changes of both connection throughput and video bitrate.