Mixed reliability video streaming in wireless networks

Abstract

Video has become an important application for wireless networks as they have become popular for many users and uses. There are challenges delivering video content over a wireless link, both due to the volume of traffic and the high data loss rates experienced. Data loss in compressed media results in errors in the decoded video, and noticeable visual artifacts. These losses can have long-term effects in video display. This paper presents the concept of mixed reliability video streaming (Mixed Streaming), which reduces the impact of video propagation errors in error prone wireless networks. Mixed Streaming delivers a video file using both reliable and best-effort connections. Simulation results show that Mixed Streaming reduces the impact of errors by making sure that errors on reference frames are corrected. Also, the delay cost associated with Mixed Sreaming is reasonable even for fairly high packet loss rates.