Layer-encoded video in scalable adaptive streaming

Abstract

Combining the concepts of caching and transmission control protocol (TCP)-friendly streaming of layer-encoded video bears the problem that those videos might not be cached in full quality. Therefore, we focus in this work on the scheduling of retransmissions of missing segments of a cached video in a manner that allows clients to receive the content in an improved quality. In a first step, we conducted subjective assessments of variations in layer-encoded video with the goal to validate existing quality metrics, including our own, which are based on certain assumptions. A statistical analysis of the subjective assessment validates these assumptions. We also show that the frequently used peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) is not an appropriate metric for variations in layer-encoded video. With the insight from the subjective assessment we develop heuristics for retransmission scheduling and prove their applicability by conducting a series of simulations.