Quality impact due to initial loading, stalling, and video bitrate in progressive download video services

Abstract

The paper targets the audiovisual quality assessment of progressive download type video services such as Video on Demand (VoD) and YouTube. To this aim, we investigate the quality impact due to initial loading, stalling, and video bitrate for High Definition (HD, 1920×1080 pixels) audiovisual sequences. The analysis is based on the results of three audiovisual subjective tests conducted in a laboratory environment. The paper extends the work described in previous studies by looking at high video resolution (HD) for short (30 s) and longer (45-60 s) test sequences, and by addressing the combined effect of initial loading, stalling and video bitrates on perceived quality. The distribution of stalling events within a video sequence and the recency effect are also analysed.