Adaptive and High-Quality Multimedia Streaming

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Multimedia streaming in all forms (including YouTube and Netflix) constitutes 58.6% of peak Internet traffic in North America. In addition to the soaring demand, the heterogeneous and fluctuating network condition, due to different connection types (e.g., WiFi, wired LAN, and cellular), and diverse hardware specifications on end-user devices challenge multimedia streaming services to be more adaptive. Though there are solutions, such as Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP (DASH) and Apple's HTTP Live Streaming (HLS), to meet the increasing demand and to make multimedia streaming services more adaptive, none of them fully utilizes all available network resources to deliver the video in the best possible quality. For example, even if the available bandwidth from a service provider to an end-user device is 400 Kbps, sufficient to serve a video better than the standard definition quality (at 192 Kpbs bitrate), only standard definition video will be delivered since there is no intermediate quality level between standard definition and high definition (at 2 Mbps bitrate). It is challenging to provide a continuous video quality selection scheme since transcoding (for each quality level) is a time consuming and CPU intensive process. It is also challenging to select the appropriate quality level subject to the dynamic network condition.***In this research program, I propose a new design for multimedia streaming that streams high-quality (approximating the best possible quality level) video. The new design introduces cloud-based video transcoding algorithms to prepare videos at different quality levels. It also includes a new model defining quality levels, based on which I will design quality adaptation algorithms offering fine-granular video quality selection. Finally, the research will develop new streaming algorithms and protocols incorporating the new transcoding algorithms and quality adaptation algorithms. In contrast to existing streaming solutions, the new design will provide a custom-fit streaming service that streams videos in the best possible quality subject to the network condition and status of end-user devices. All research results will be implemented and evaluated with standard video players in real clouds and networks.***This research program will deliver an innovative content-aware streaming design offering adaptive and high-quality streaming services. It will lay the foundation for advancing the QoS (Quality-of-Service) of multimedia streaming services in Canada. It will provide solutions to cope with increasing demand for high-quality streaming service in major carrier networks across Canada (such as Shaw, Rogers, and Telus), and will inspire new streaming services for streaming content providers (such as TV stations and Netflix-like services).**