Abstract: In a multicast and/or broadcast streaming environment over wired and/or wireless networks, a server provides a plurality of different streams to each group (such as multicast groups) of client devices. Each of the client devices in the respective groups tune in to one of the plurality of streams that is most optimum. Quality of Experience (QoE) metric data or other data pertaining to dynamically changing client device characteristics or channel conditions are collected and evaluated by the server. If results of the evaluated metric data recommend a change to a different stream for a particular one or more client devices, the server switches the client device(s) to a different stream in the same group, or switches the client device(s) to a different stream in a different group if that stream is not available in the current group.

Abstract: A Quality of Experience (QoE) framework provides a technique to assess the end user experience in a mobile wireless communication environment, such as 2.5G or 3G networks, or in any other wireless or hardwired communication environment. The framework is usable in conjunction with media streaming applications and enables a combination of network layer, transport layer, codec layer, and application layer measurements in extracting results. The extracted results can be used to monitor and improve, if necessary, the end user experience over severely variable network conditions.