DYNAMIC SELECTION OF CANDIDATE BITRATES FOR VIDEO ENCODING

Number: 20250126309
Published: 2025-04-17
Filed: 2024-12-20
Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
Inventors: Liu; Chen et al.
CPC: H04N19/179; H04N21/238; H04N19/146; H04N21/23418; H04N21/8456; H04N21/23439; H04N19/147; H04N21/2662; H04N19/115
Verdict: Set aside video encoding, codec plumbing
Source: Google Patents · FreePatentsOnline

Abstract

In some embodiments, a method generates a first representation of a first relationship between bitrate and quality based on first features of a first portion of a video. The first representation is analyzed to determine a first list of potential bitrates for the first portion of video. The method analyzes potential bitrates and quality associated with the respective potential bitrates to refine the first list of potential bitrates to a second list of bitrates. The second list of bitrates includes a different list of bitrates than the first list of potential bitrates. The method outputs the second list of bitrates for encoding the first portion of video.

Background

BACKGROUND

One method of delivering videos to client devices uses Adaptive Bitrate Streaming (ABR). Adaptive bitrate streaming is predicated on providing multiple streams (often referred to as variants or profiles) that are encoded at different levels of video attributes, such as different levels of bitrate and/or quality. A profile ladder lists different profiles that are available for a client to use when streaming segments of a video. Clients can dynamically select profiles based on network conditions and other factors. The video is segmented (e.g., split into discrete segments, usually a few seconds long each), and clients can switch from one profile to another at segment boundaries as network conditions change. For example, a video delivery system would like to provide clients with a profile that has a higher bitrate when network conditions with higher available bandwidth are being experienced, which improves the quality of the video being streamed. When network conditions with lower available bandwidth are being experienced, the video delivery system would like to provide clients with a profile with a lower bitrate such that the clients can play the video without any playback issues, such as rebuffering or downloading failures.

Claims

1. A method comprising: generating a first representation of a first relationship between bitrate and quality based on first features of a first portion of a video; analyzing the first representation to determine a first list of potential bitrates for the first portion of video; analyzing potential bitrates and quality associated with the respective potential bitrates to refine the first list of potential bitrates to a second list of bitrates, wherein the second list of bitrates includes a different list of bitrates than the first list of potential bitrates; and outputting the second list of bitrates for encoding the first portion of video. || 19. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon computer executable instructions, which when executed by a computing device, cause the computing device to be operable for: generating a first representation of a first relationship between bitrate and quality based on first features of a first portion of a video; analyzing the first representation to determine a first list of potential bitrates for the first portion of video; analyzing potential bitrates and quality associated with the respective potential bitrates to refine the first list of potential bitrates to a second list of bitrates, wherein the second list of bitrates includes a different list of bitrates than the first list of potential bitrates; and outputting the second list of bitrates for encoding the first portion of video. || 20. An apparatus comprising: one or more computer processors; and a computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions for controlling the one or more computer processors to be operable for: generating a first representation of a first relationship between bitrate and quality based on first features of a first portion of a video; analyzing the first representation to determine a first list of potential bitrates for the first portion of video; analyzing potential bitrates and quality associated with the respective potential bitrates to refine the first list of potential bitrates to a second list of bitrates, wherein the second list of bitrates includes a different list of bitrates than the first list of potential bitrates; and outputting the second list of bitrates for encoding the first portion of video.