Abstract: Techniques are described for adaptive encoding different portions of media content based on content. Characteristics of GOPs of media content can be determined and used to set encoding parameters for the GOs. The GOPs can be encoded such that one GOP is encoded differently than another GOP if they have different characteristics.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described that relate to stitching different streams of high dynamic range (HDR) content together and handling HDR metadata mismatches between the differently produced content streams.

Abstract: Techniques are described for optimizing video decoder operations.

Abstract: Techniques are described for adaptive encoding of different visual elements in a video frame. Characteristics of visual elements can be determined and used to set encoding parameters for the visual elements. The visual elements can be encoded such that one visual element is encoded differently than another visual element if they have different characteristics.

Abstract: Techniques to enable virtual reality content to be delivered using a video codec that operates according to a scalable video encoding standard. Base layer frames for the different views of the virtual reality content are downloaded by a client device. The views are prioritized using a prediction model that assigns priorities based on the likelihood that a corresponding view will be selected within a particular period of time. Enhancement layer frames are then selected and downloaded based on the priorities.

Abstract: Techniques to enable virtual reality content to be delivered using a video codec that operates according to a scalable video encoding standard. Base layer frames for the different views of the virtual reality content are downloaded by a client device. The views are prioritized using a prediction model that assigns priorities based on the likelihood that a corresponding view will be selected within a particular period of time. Enhancement layer frames are then selected and downloaded based on the priorities.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for a client application for streaming media. The client application estimates the bandwidth of the client and the latency between the client and a media distribution service. A bit rate for a media stream is determined using the latency, a buffer state, and the estimated bandwidth. A time to send the request is determined using the estimated bandwidth and latency.

Abstract: Techniques are described that enable digital images to be delivered using a video codec that operates according to a video encoding standard. These techniques include encoding digital images as frames of video content files, and decoding the frames of the video content files to display the images.

Abstract: Techniques are described for adaptive encoding different portions of media content based on content. Characteristics of GOPs of media content can be determined and used to set encoding parameters for the GOs. The GOPs can be encoded such that one GOP is encoded differently than another GOP if they have different characteristics.

Abstract: Techniques enabled by the present disclosure enable media content to be split into sections that can be encoded by multiple video encoders. The disclosed techniques further enable the separately encoded sections to be stitched back together using coordination logic that does not require bi-directional communication between encoding processes.

Abstract: Techniques for high-quality, segmented video encoding are described. As one example, a computer-implemented method includes receiving a video file, splitting the video file into a plurality of chunks comprising a first chunk of the video file and a second chunk of the video file that is later in video order than the first chunk, encoding the first chunk into a first encoded chunk, determining, separately from the encoding of the first chunk, a rate control state element for a section of the video file immediately before the second chunk in video order, encoding, separately from the encoding of the first chunk, the second chunk into a second encoded chunk using the rate control state element, and assembling the first encoded chunk and the second encoded chunk together to form an encoded video file.

Abstract: Techniques are described for encoding image frames of media content to be displayed within a three-dimensional projection space. Image frames at opposing sides of a seam of the three-dimensional projection space implementing a virtual reality (VR) environment can be identified and characteristics of portions of those image frames at the seam can be determined. Encoding parameters for a portion of one image frame can then be generated based on the characteristics of the portion of the other image frame on the opposite side of the seam.

Abstract: An adaptive video compression system may receive video data to be compressed, such as for delivery to a user device by a video streaming service. For example the video data may be an entire video file or a segment of a video file. The adaptive video compression system determines a suitable encoding scheme for compressing the video data. In order to determine the encoding scheme, the video data may be analyzed to extract a plurality of features interests of the video data, which may represent one or more characteristics of the video data. The features may be concatenated and collectively expressed as a feature vector. The feature vector is then used to determine a classification for the video data. Accordingly, an encoding scheme is determined for the video data based on the classification of the video data, and applied to video data to compress the video data.

Abstract: Techniques are described that enable virtual reality content to be delivered using a video codec that operates according to a scalable video encoding standard. These techniques include selectively downloading and decoding frames of video content.

Abstract: Techniques are described that enable virtual reality content to be delivered using a video codec that operates according to a scalable video encoding standard. These techniques include selectively downloading and decoding frames of video content.

Abstract: Techniques are described for switching streaming of media content between content delivery networks (CDNs) during mid-stream. An initial CDN can be used to stream the media content. The performance of a second CDN can be measured by requesting a fragment of the media content as a measurement or test fragment. Streaming of the media content can be switched to the second CDN if its performance is determined to be better than the initial CDN.

Abstract: Techniques are described for adaptive encoding of different visual elements in a video frame. Characteristics of visual elements can be determined and used to set encoding parameters for the visual elements. The visual elements can be encoded such that one visual element is encoded differently than another visual element if they have different characteristics.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for a client application for streaming media. The client application estimates the bandwidth of the client and the latency between the client and a media distribution service. A bit rate for a media stream is determined using the latency, a buffer state, and the estimated bandwidth. A time to send the request is determined using the estimated bandwidth and latency.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for combining fragments of media content that correspond to multiple quality levels. A particular combination of fragments may be selected for a client device based, at least in part, on feedback received from the client device. In this manner, adaptive bit rate selection can be simulated for a client device that does not support adaptive bit rate selection.

Abstract: A user can select an object represented in video content in order to set a magnification level with respect to that object. A portion of the video frames containing a representation of the object is selected to maintain a presentation size of the representation corresponding to the magnification level. The selection provides for a “smart zoom” feature enabling an object of interest, such as a face of an actor, to be used in selecting an appropriate portion of each frame to magnify, such that the magnification results in a portion of the frame being selected that includes the one or more objects of interest to the user. Pre-generated tracking data can be provided for some objects, which can enable a user to select an object and then have predetermined portion selections and magnifications applied that can provide for a smoother user experience than for dynamically-determined data.