Abstract: Approaches for encoding/transcoding of digital video based on subjective video quality preferences or display device characteristics or capabilities. A set of esthetic digital video preferences are received from a user via a user interface. The user may be associated with a supplier or provider of digital video or may be a viewer of the digital video. A video quality profile that describes the set of esthetic digital video preferences or the characteristics or capabilities of a display device is created and stored. Upon determining that a video quality profile is associated with a compressed digital video bit stream, a final rate of compression for the compressed digital video bit stream is determined using one or more video quality profiles. In this way, a user's subjective video quality preferences or the characteristics or capabilities of a display device can be considered in encoding/transcoding digital video.

Abstract: Approaches for compensating for RF imperfections in a system that comprises two or more independent modules. The two or more independent modules may be comprised within a remote PHY node (RPN). RF calibration data is stored in one or more non-volatile mediums for two or more independent modules. Each of the two or more independent modules are electronically coupled in a sequence via a transmission medium. A first independent module digital compensates a RF signal for a set of two or more modules that are coupled together in sequence via the transmission medium. The first independent module may correspond to a remote PHY device (RPD).

Abstract: Approaches for dynamic pre-filtering of digital video based on video complexity and output bit rate. An adaptive video preprocessor determines a current video complexity of the digital video and an output bit rate. Thereafter, the adaptive video preprocessor dynamically updates the strength of one or more preprocessing filters based on the current video complexity and the output bit rate for the digital video. The adaptive video preprocessor may update the strength of a preprocessing filter based, at least in part, upon selected values of a video quality preference category. A video quality preference category may be assigned natural language values which may each be translated into a particular strength value for at least one of the one or more preprocessing filters.

Abstract: A network element employing multiple namespaces in performing IP packet routing. The network element maintaining two or more namespaces. A first namespace corresponds to an in-band network domain and a second namespace corresponds to an out-of-band network domain. The network element performing IP packet routing over the in-band network domain and the out-of-band network domain using said two or more namespaces. Embodiments allow operators to more easily implement separate routing tables for “in-band” and “out-of-band” communication. Having separate routing tables for in-band and out-of-band communication prevents malicious CPEs and hacked CMs from directly communicating to servers on the out-of-band network, thereby increasing security for CMTS operators.

Abstract: Approaches for dynamically allocating CPU cycle resources to a video encoder. A resource allocator assesses an amount of available CPU cycle resources on the hardware device on which it executes. The resource allocator determines that a change in the amount of available CPU cycle resources has occurred. The resource allocator, adjusts, in real-time, which particular cycle profile, in a plurality of cycle profiles, is assigned to at least one of a plurality of video modules. The plurality of cycle profiles each allocate, to video modules, a particular amount CPU cycle resources for processing digital video. The plurality of cycle profiles also each specify a set of configuration settings and are arranged in a sequence based upon the video quality and density achievable by video modules using configuration settings associated with each cycle profile when processing digital video.

Abstract: Configurable adjustment of a power amplifier bias for a power amplifier. The power amplifier may be comprised within a variety of different apparatuses, such as without limitation a remote PHY node, a remote MACPHY node, and a wireless communication device. A processing unit, disposed within an apparatus, instructs an electrical circuit, also disposed within said apparatus, to change an RF signal output power carrying capability of the power amplifier based on a configuration. The configuration may, but need not, be maintained within the apparatus. The change in the RF signal output power carrying capability of the power amplifier causes an adjustment in a power consumption of the power amplifier.

Abstract: Approaches for processing video in a smart small form-factor pluggable (SFP) transceiver. The smart SFP transceiver may dynamically select, from a plurality of codecs available to the smart SFP transceiver, an appropriate codec for use in processing the video prior to the video being transmitted over a link. The selection of the codec may be based, at least in part, on assessed environmental attributes. The smart SFP transceiver may then use the codec selected by the smart SFP transceiver to process the video, e.g., the video may be encoded, compressed, or timing information generated.

Abstract: Dynamically managing an operation of a content delivery network (CDN) to address excessive load upon an upload link for updating data thereto and/or upon particular portions of the CDN. A network optimizer may receive bit rate utilization data that identifies a current bit rate amount being utilized by the upload link and what digital video data is being uploaded to the CDN thereon. The network optimizer may also receive, from an analytic server, consumption information about the current load being experienced throughout different regions of the CDN. The network optimizer analyses the bit rate utilization data and the consumption information to dynamically render any changes necessary to the bit rate utilization of the upload link and to the representations of digital video propagated to some or all portions of the CDN to ensure the load remains below a predetermined threshold in both the upload link and throughout the CDN.

Abstract: Approaches for transcoding on-the-fly (TOTF). A digital video is encoded to produce a set of encoding decisions. A video quality profile is created that describes the set of encoding decisions. Upon determining that the video quality profile is associated with a compressed digital video bit stream, a final rate of compression is determined, frame by frame, for the compressed digital video bit stream using the video quality profile. The final rate of compression may be determined either internal or external to an encoder/transcoder. The video quality profile may be created by reviewing a plurality of encoding decisions to determine which encoding decisions merit inclusion based on a variety of criteria.

Abstract: Approaches for allocating bit rates to multiple digital video streams. Bit rates may be allocated to digital video streams by permitting any unit of digital video carried by the digital video streams to be a member of a set of digital content that is constrained by a sum of bit rates assigned to members of the set. To do so, a first set of bit rates to assign to each of the digital video streams is determined. Thereafter, a second set of bit rates to assign to each shared unit of digital video, which appears in two or more of the digital video streams, is determined. This may involve identifying the lowest bit rate assigned to each shared unit of digital video across the two or more bit rate pools. A remaining bit rate allotment is allocated to non-shared units of digital video within the digital video streams.

Abstract: Approaches for supporting a RF automatic gain control (AGC) loop. A first module and a second module are coupled together via a single RF transmission cable. The first module might be a Remote PHY Device (RPD). The second module may comprise a power amplifier. Both the first and second module operate on a single automatic gain control (AGC) loop. The first module sends a first signal to the second module over the single RF transmission cable at a first frequency or frequency range. The first module may adjust a gain of the AGC loop based on a second signal sent from the second module to the first module over the single RF transmission cable. The second, counterpropagating signal has a different frequency or frequency range than the first frequency of the first signal, e.g., the second frequency or frequency range may be lower than that of the first frequency.

Abstract: Systems, method, and computer program products for providing multi-channel variable bit-rate video compression are described. In some implementations, video channels can be allocated with bit rates that are set based on a predefined video compression quality. More specifically, each channel can generate a table describing the set of video compression quality values each corresponding to a bit rate value that can be used to achieve that video compression quality value. To generate the table or pre-compression coding information, encoders of the system described herein can pre-encode each input signal at multiple, different bit rates, and record the video compression quality value achievable at each of the bit rates. The system also can use lesser number of encoders for pre-encoding, supplemented by data interpolation, to generate the pre-compression coding information, requiring less processing algorithm but at an expense of lower accuracy.

Abstract: Segregating a node port experiencing ingress. A node that provides a service to a plurality of cable modems may have a plurality of node ports. The node may be a Remote PHY Node or a Remote MACPHY node. In response to detecting that a particular node port of the node is experiencing ingress, the assignment of node ports to upstream device ports are adjusted so that the particular node port experiencing ingress is not be assigned to the same upstream device port as any other node port. In further response to detecting ingress at the particular node port, all node ports assigned to the same upstream device port are caused to be assigned to the same downstream device port. By segregating the node port experiencing the ingress in this manner, the impact of that ingress can be mitigated or eliminated with respect to the other node ports of that node.

Abstract: Ensuring a long-term average bitrate for channels of a statistical multiplexing meets or exceeds a specified limit. An arbitrary target average bitrate for each of a set of channels of the statistical multiplexer is received. The long-term average bit rate for each channel of the statistical multiplexer is tracked. For each allocation cycle of the statistical multiplexer, bitrates to each encoder are assigned by splitting a bit allocation pool of the statistical multiplexer into a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is allocated to maximize video quality and the second portion is allocated to minimize a gap between the set of channels that are below their arbitrary target average bitrate based on the long-term average bit rate for the set of channels. Thereafter, the bit rates allocated from the first and second portions are distributed to the encoders encoding/transcoding the set of channels.

Abstract: A video server comprising an input port configured to receive from a user terminal requests to deliver video segments in a target representation. The server comprises an output port configured to deliver the requested video segments to the user terminal. The server comprises a data link configured to retrieve from storage capabilities, for each request from the user terminal, a video segment in at least one source representation in an Open GOP scheme. The server comprises an access to one or more video transcoding capabilities. The video server is configured to cause one or more video transcoding capabilities to transcode at least a part of the video segment in at least one source representation in an Open GOP scheme into the requested target representation in a Closed GOP scheme when the requested target representation is different from a representation previously provided to the user terminal.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for dynamically adapting the lossy encoding of an audio and/or video stream (112) transmitted by a first device (101) to a remote device (102), said method comprising the following steps: the remote device (102) receives and decodes said stream (112), called the incoming stream, and transmits an outgoing stream (111) having at least one indicator relating to a state of said remote device (102) that is modified by the execution of the decoding of the incoming stream (112); the first device (101) receives the outgoing stream (111), extracts said at least one indicator therefrom and adapts the encoding of the incoming stream (112) according to said at least one extracted indicator. The method can be applied notably to video conferences conducted on the basis of self-powered terminals for the purpose of maintaining the operating period of these terminals.

Abstract: Creating a sub-titles stream or file composed of sub-titles elements. For each sub-titles element in said sub-titles elements, a sub-titles element is inserted into the sub-titles stream or file, at least one end-of-block condition related to a mode of presentation of sub-titles is verified, and a datum representative of an end of a block according to the mode of presentation of sub-titles is inserted into the sub-titles stream or file upon satisfying said at least one end-of-block condition. A sub-titles stream or file may be presented on a terminal of a user by selecting on the terminal a mode of presentation of sub-titles, reading a sub-titles block associated with the mode of presentation in the stream or file, and presenting on the terminal the at least one sub-titles block according to the mode of presentation.

Abstract: A video splicer combines a first video stream, encoded in accordance with a block based coding algorithm, with a second video stream. A header processor detects a key position picture in each of a plurality of sequential GOPs of the first stream and determines a presentation time for each key position picture in each GOP in the first stream. A timing mapper identifies a respective image in the second stream having a presentation time corresponding to a key position picture of the first stream. An encoder encodes the second stream in accordance with the block based coding algorithm. A new GOP is started with the respective image in the second stream having a presentation time corresponding to the key position picture of the first stream. A switcher switches between outputting the first stream and the encoded second stream by a signal from the timing mapper.

Abstract: Applying a presentation timestamp to an element of a sequence of sub-titles. A minimum presentation timestamp TMIN of an element of a sequence of sub-titles N is initialized. The presentation timestamp T(N) of the new element of a sub-title sequence N is compared with the minimum presentation timestamp for sub-titles TMIN. The minimum presentation timestamp for sub-titles TMIN is applied to the element of a sequence of sub-titles N if the presentation timestamp T(N) of the new sub-titles element is prior to the minimum presentation timestamp for sub-titles TMIN. The minimum presentation timestamp for sub-titles TMIN for an element of a sequence of sub-titles N+1 is calculated as a timestamp posterior to the presentation timestamp T(N) of the new sub-titles element.

Abstract: A video encoder unit receives a video signal to encode along with auxiliary services such as audio streams and/or data streams. While the auxiliary streams are allotted a fixed bandwidth, the video encoder determines a required video bandwidth, which must be allocated in response to the request by a central allocator. Where economies are made in the auxiliary services for example by transmitting stereo audio instead of surround sound for example, the bandwidth requested from the central allocator is inflated by an amount corresponding to a proportion of the economized bandwidth. The extra bandwidth allocated on this basis may then be used for improving the quality of video encoding, and/or reserved for the transmission of asynchronous data.