Abstract: In some embodiments, a method sends a set of first requests for a set of first segments of a video in a playback session. A first protocol from a plurality of protocols is specified in at least one of the set of first requests. The set of first segments is received. The method determines whether to switch from using the first protocol to a second protocol in the playback session based on receiving the set of first segments. When switching to the second protocol, the method sends a second request in the playback session, wherein the second request indicates the second protocol is to be used to send a second segment of the video.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method selects a first template of pixels that is outside of a first block and a second template of pixels that is outside of the first block. Then, the method selects a first region of pixels that are inside the first block and a second region of pixels that are inside the first block. A first weight is calculated based on the first template of pixels and the first region of pixels and a second weight is calculated based on the second template of pixels and the second region of pixels. The first weight and the second weight are used in a motion prediction search for a second block.

Abstract: A method includes transcoding a first block from a spatial region. The first block is associated with a first block tree pattern defining a structure of splitting a block into smaller blocks. A bit string of bits for the first block tree pattern is included in an encoded bitstream. The method determines a location of the first block in the spatial region when the first block tree pattern of the first block can be reused for a second block tree pattern of a second block. The spatial region includes blocks and the location is based on the first block being in the spatial region. Information for the second block is included in the encoded bitstream that indicates the location of the first block in the spatial region. The location allows the bit string for the first block tree pattern to be retrieved for use to decode the second block.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method sends a set of requests for a video using a first protocol. The first protocol is selected from a plurality of protocols available for use in a playback session for the video. The method compares a first performance of the first protocol and a second performance of a second protocol and determines whether to switch from using the first protocol to the second protocol in the playback session based on the comparing.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method receives a request for a video and receives a ranking of content delivery networks for the request. Also, global constraints are received for the content delivery networks. The global constraints define an allocation for respective content delivery networks. The method selects a content delivery network using the global constraints and the ranking. A score for the content delivery network is altered from a first score to a second score in the ranking and used in the selecting of the content delivery network. The content delivery network that is selected for the request is outputted.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method receives a request for an instance of media content in a current session. A state is retrieved for content delivery networks that is determined for a session in a set of sessions. The state includes a first set of values for a performance metric, and the first set of values is associated with the content delivery networks. The method determines a second set of values for the performance metric for the current session. The second set of values is associated with the content delivery networks. A content delivery network is selected for the request in the current session based on treating the current session as a session in the set of sessions. The session for the current session is after the session for the state in the set of sessions.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method maintains a list that is configured to store motion vectors from one or more blocks that have been previously processed in a frame. When a current block is in a first set of positions in the frame, the method resets the list by storing a motion vector with a horizontal component and a vertical component equal to zero in the list. The motion vector with the horizontal component and the vertical component equal to zero from the list is used to transcode the current block. When the current block is not in the first set of positions, the method uses a motion vector from the list to transcode the current block.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method receives session features for a session associated with a request for a video from a client and predicts network conditions for the session using the session features. A subset of available profiles is selected based on the network conditions. The available profiles are associated with a different playback characteristic. The method provides a profile ladder that includes the subset of available profiles for the playback of the video to the client. The profile ladder restricts the client to using the subset of available profiles to request segments of the video during the session.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method performs a first calculation to select an anchor point based on a first reference block in a first reference frame and a second reference block in a second reference frame. The first reference frame is selected as the anchor point. A third reference block in the second reference frame is selected based on the first reference frame being selected as the anchor point. The method performs a second calculation to select the anchor point based on the first reference block in the first reference frame and the third reference block in the second reference frame and determines whether to use the first reference block and the third reference block as a prediction for a current block based on the second calculation.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method maintains a first list that stores motion vectors from one or more blocks that have been previously processed in a frame. When a current block is in the first set of positions in the frame, the method resets and uses a motion vector from a second list to transcode the current block due to the resetting of the first list. When the current block is not in the first set of positions, the method uses a motion vector from the first list to transcode the current block.

Abstract: A method includes transcoding a first block from a spatial region. The first block is associated with a first block tree pattern defining a structure of splitting a block into smaller blocks. A bit string of bits for the first block tree pattern is included in an encoded bitstream. The method determines a location of the first block in the spatial region when the first block tree pattern of the first block can be reused for a second block tree pattern of a second block. The spatial region includes blocks and the location is based on the first block being in the spatial region. Information for the second block is included in the encoded bitstream that indicates the location of the first block in the spatial region. The location allows the bit string for the first block tree pattern to be retrieved for use to decode the second block.

Abstract: In some embodiments, after receiving a first set of video segments of a video, a method starts a first computing instance and receives a video segment of the video using the first computing instance. A measurement is calculated based on receiving the video segment. The method uses the measurement to determine whether the first computing instance should continue to be used to receive video segments in the video or should be terminated to not receive video segments in the video.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method receives a current encoding stream of a video. A first measurement for a reference encoding stream is selected to measure a quality of the reference encoding stream. The method compares a second measurement of the current encoding stream to the first measurement of the reference encoding stream and outputs whether the current encoding stream is validated based on the comparing.

Abstract: In some embodiments, during playback of a video, using a parameter value of an adaptive bitrate algorithm to analyze playback of the video. The adaptive bitrate algorithm uses the parameter value to select a profile from a plurality of profiles to use to request segments of the video. A method selects a scenario in a plurality of scenarios when a playback condition meets a characteristic value of the scenario. The plurality of scenarios are associated with a different characteristic value. The method adjusts the parameter value of the adaptive bitrate algorithm based on the scenario to generate an adjusted parameter value. The plurality of scenarios have at least one different parameter value. The adjusted parameter value of the adaptive bitrate algorithm is used to analyze the playback of the video.

Abstract: A method includes transcoding a first block of a video. The first block is associated with a first block tree pattern defining a structure of splitting a block into smaller blocks. A bit string of bits for the first block tree pattern is included in an encoded bitstream for the video. The method determines that the first block tree pattern of the first block can be reused for a second block tree pattern of a second block and includes information in the encoded bitstream that indicates that the first block tree pattern is to be used to decode the second block from the encoded bitstream.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method analyzing a first set of values for a first bin plane in a plurality of bin planes. The plurality of bin planes are used to determine a context model for entropy coding of a current block in a video. The method determines whether to use a second set of values from a second bin plane based on the analyzing. When it is determined to use the second set of values, information is calculated for the context model using the first set of values and the second set of values. When it is determined to not use the second set of values, information is calculated for the context model using the first set of values.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method receives a request for a video and receives a ranking of content delivery networks for the request. Also, global constraints are received for the content delivery networks. The global constraints define an allocation for respective content delivery networks. The method selects a content delivery network using the global constraints and the ranking. A score for the content delivery network is altered from a first score to a second score in the ranking and used in the selecting of the content delivery network. The content delivery network that is selected for the request is outputted.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method receives a plurality of video segments of a video using a plurality of computing instances and measures data received for the plurality of computing instances during a time window. A video segment for a computing instance in the plurality of computing instances is not fully downloaded during the time window. The method calculates a video delivery metric for the plurality of computing instances based on the data received and calculates an evaluation measurement based on the video delivery metric. The evaluation measurement is used to control an addition or a termination of a computing instance.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method receives a first ranking of content delivery networks for a playback session of a video and receives global constraints for the content delivery networks. The global constraints define an allocation for respective content delivery networks. The method alters a score for a content delivery network in the first ranking to generate a second ranking of content delivery networks. Then, a content delivery network is selected from the second ranking for the playback session of the video.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method receives a current encoding stream of a video. A first measurement for a reference encoding stream is selected to measure a quality of the reference encoding stream. The method compares a second measurement of the current encoding stream to the first measurement of the reference encoding stream and outputs whether the current encoding stream is validated based on the comparing.