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 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 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 analyzes content of a video to generate a representation for a video that represents a relationship of a bitrate to a quality measurement for the video. A plurality of candidate points on the representation are selected. Then, the method selects a profile ladder from at least a portion of the plurality of candidate points. Each profile in the profile ladder is associated with a candidate point and the profile includes a corresponding bitrate and a quality measurement for the respective candidate point. The profile ladder is used for the video.

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 generates a representation for a video that represents a relationship of a bitrate to a quality measurement for the video and selects candidate transcoding points on the representation. A plurality of candidate profile ladders are generated based on the candidate transcoding points. Each of the plurality of candidate profile ladders includes a different combination of profiles and a profile is associated with at least one of a bitrate and a quality measurement. The method selects a profile ladder from the plurality of candidate profile ladders based on analyzing the bitrate or the quality of the profile ladder and uses the profile ladder for the video.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method determines a combination of sub-bitstream chunks from a plurality of sub-bitstreams for a video. The combination of sub-bitstream chunks includes a quality measurement. The method exchanges a sub-bitstream chunk in the combination of sub-bitstream chunks with another sub-bitstream chunk from another sub-bitstream in the plurality of sub-bitstreams based on a relationship of a change in bitrate to a change in quality due to the exchanging. The method continues to exchange a sub-bitstream chunk in the combination of sub-bitstream chunks with another sub-bitstream chunk until the quality measurement of the combination of sub-bitstream chunks meets a target quality and outputs the combination of sub-bitstream chunks.

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 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: In some embodiments, a method analyzes information regarding a round-trip time where the round-trip time is based on sending a request for a segment of a media program and receiving the segment of the media program. The method determines when to switch from requesting a single segment of the media program to sending a request that requests a plurality of segments of the media program. When switching from requesting the single segment of the media program, the request for the plurality segments of the media program is sent where at least two or more of the segments are received without sending a subsequent request for the two or more segments.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method determines a plurality of classes of bins that are used to determine a context model for entropy coding of a current block in a video. The method calculates a first value for a first class of bins in the plurality of classes of bins and calculates a second value for a second class of bins in the plurality of classes of bins. The first value for the first class of bins is weighted by a first weight to generate a weighted first value and the second value for the second class of bins is weighted by a second weight to generate a weighted second value. The method then selects a context model based on the first weighted value and the second weighted value.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method selects a current block in a frame and determines whether the current block is in a first set of positions in the frame. When the current block is in the first set of positions: the method loads a first set of motion vectors from a first list as historical motion vector predictors, wherein the one or more motion vectors are from one or more blocks in the first set of positions in the frame; and uses the first set of motion vectors to transcode the current block. When the current block is not in the first set of positions, the method uses a second set of motion vectors from a second list.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method receives one or more segments for content from a first content delivery network during a playback session for the content. The content includes a number of segments. The method evaluates buffer occupancy of a buffer configured to store segments of the content for playback and evaluates a number of times of a failure to download a segment for the content. The buffer occupancy is compared to a first threshold and the number of times of the failure to a second threshold. The method determines a switch from the first content delivery network to a second content delivery network during the playback session based on the comparing.

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 receives one or more segments for content from a first content delivery network during a playback session for the content. The content includes a number of segments. The method evaluates buffer occupancy of a buffer configured to store segments of the content for playback and evaluates a number of times of a failure to download a segment for the content. The buffer occupancy is compared to a first threshold and the number of times of the failure to a second threshold. The method determines a switch from the first content delivery network to a second content delivery network during the playback session based on the comparing.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method analyzes information regarding a round-trip time where the round-trip time is based on sending a request for a segment of a media program and receiving the segment of the media program. The method determines when to switch from requesting a single segment of the media program to sending a request that requests a plurality of segments of the media program. When switching from requesting the single segment of the media program, the request for the plurality segments of the media program is sent where at least two or more of the segments are received without sending a subsequent request for the two or more segments.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method selects a first reference block in a first reference frame and a second reference block in a second reference frame. The first reference block and the second reference block are used to predict a current block. The first reference block is selected as an anchor point. Then, the method searches in the second reference frame for a third reference block and determines whether the third reference block is a better reference block than the second reference block for predicting the current block.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method selects a first reference block in a first reference frame and a second reference block in a second reference frame. The first reference block and the second reference block are used to predict a current block in a current frame. A first region is selected based on the first reference block, a second region is selected based the second reference block, and a third region is selected based on the current block. The method compares a characteristic of the first region to a characteristic of the third region and compares a characteristic of the second region to the characteristic of the third region to adaptively determine a first weight for the first reference block and a second weight for the second reference block. Then, a prediction block is calculated for the current block using the first weight and the second weight.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method determines a combination of sub-bitstream chunks from a plurality of sub-bitstreams for a video. The combination of sub-bitstream chunks includes a quality measurement. The method exchanges a sub-bitstream chunk in the combination of sub-bitstream chunks with another sub-bitstream chunk from another sub-bitstream in the plurality of sub-bitstreams based on a relationship of a change in bitrate to a change in quality due to the exchanging.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method receives a first chunk in a plurality of chunks from a video. The plurality of chunks are sent to a plurality of transcoding units for transcoding in parallel. The method transcodes the first chunk at a first transcoding unit to generate a first transcoded sub-bitstream. Then, first statistical information is received from one or more second chunks being transcoded by other transcoding units. The first statistical information from the one or more second chunks is compared to second statistical information from the first chunk and it is determined whether to perform a second transcoding process based on the comparing. When the second transcoding process is to be performed, the method performs the second transcoding process with the first chunk to generate a second transcoded bitstream and outputs the second transcoded bitstream. When the second transcoding process is not to be performed, the method outputs the first transcoded sub-bitstream.