Abstract: In one embodiment, a device in a network assigns packets from a communication transmitted via the network to time windows over a period of time. The device determines a transmission performance metric for each of the packets in a particular time window and calculates, for each of the time windows, local disturbance scores, which are based on the transmission performance metrics for the packet in the time windows. A particular local disturbance score for a particular time window maps the transmission performance metrics for the packets in the time window to a perceived quality metric. The device determines a distortion score for the communication by aggregating the local disturbance scores for the time windows over the period of time.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a device in a network identifies delay requirements of each of a plurality of media streams. The device selects a joint forward error correction (FEC) encoding strategy for the plurality of media streams based on the identified delay requirements of the streams and on a burst loss length of a communication channel. The device applies the selected joint FEC encoding strategy to the plurality of media streams, to form a multiplexed packet stream. The device sends the multiplexed packet stream to one or more nodes in the network via the communication channel.