Abstract: A method includes optimizing a video quality of a video data stream received by a user in a video conference. A region of at least one frame of the video data stream may be sampled. The sampling rate may be variable based on the rate of change of objects in the video data stream. A video quality metric corresponding to the video quality of the video data stream may be calculated. The video quality of the video data stream may be adjusted based on the video quality metric. Another method includes retrieving a video and detecting one or more moving regions of interest (ROIs). Each of the ROIs is tagged with metadata configured to allow users to interact with the ROI, and the detected ROIs and their corresponding metadata are stored in a file. Based on the file, playback of the video and movement of the ROIs may be synchronized.