Abstract: Embodiments provide for a system, comprising a plurality of encoders configured to generate a plurality of variant streams, and a cross-variant Instantaneous Decoder Refresh (IDR) identifier configured to inspect the plurality of variant streams, identify IDR frames in each of the plurality of variant streams, determine which IDR frames correspond to cross-variant boundaries, and demarcate the IDR frames corresponding to cross-variant boundaries.

Abstract: Embodiments provide for improved stream generation. A first encoded segment is generated by encoding a first segment, of a plurality of segments in a media asset, using a first bitrate of a plurality of bitrates specified in an encoding ladder. A second encoded segment is generated by encoding the first segment using a second bitrate, where the second bitrate is lower than the first bitrate. Upon receiving a request for the first segment at the first bitrate, the second encoded segment is output based at least in part on determining that a first quality of the second encoded segment is within a tolerance of a second quality of the first encoded segment.

Abstract: Embodiments provide for improved stream generation. A target average bitrate (TAB) segment is generated by encoding a first segment, of a plurality of segments in a video, using a first maximum average bitrate (MAB) of a plurality of MABs specified in an encoding ladder. An intermediate average bitrate (IAB) segment is generated by encoding the first segment using a first intermediate bitrate, wherein the first intermediate bitrate is lower than the first MAB. Upon receiving a request for the first segment at the first MAB, the IAB segment is output based at least in part on determining that a first quality score of the IAB segment is within a predefined tolerance of a second quality score of the TAB segment.

Abstract: Embodiments provide for improved stream generation. A target average bitrate (TAB) segment is generated by encoding a first segment, of a plurality of segments in a video, using a first maximum average bitrate (MAB) of a plurality of MABs specified in an encoding ladder. An intermediate average bitrate (IAB) segment is generated by encoding the first segment using a first intermediate bitrate, wherein the first intermediate bitrate is lower than the first MAB. Upon receiving a request for the first segment at the first MAB, the IAB segment is output based at least in part on determining that a first quality score of the IAB segment is within a predefined tolerance of a second quality score of the TAB segment.

Abstract: Embodiments provide for a system, comprising a plurality of encoders configured to generate a plurality of variant streams, and a cross-variant Instantaneous Decoder Refresh (IDR) identifier configured to inspect the plurality of variant streams, identify IDR frames in each of the plurality of variant streams, determine which IDR frames correspond to cross-variant boundaries, and demarcate the IDR frames corresponding to cross-variant boundaries.

Abstract: Embodiments provide for improved stream generation are provided. A video comprising a plurality of segments and an encoding ladder specifying a plurality of maximum average bitrates (MABs) are received. A plurality of intermediate bitrates interspersed among the plurality of MABs are selected. A target average bitrate (TAB) segment is generated by encoding a first segment using a first MAB, and a first intermediate average bitrate (IAB) segment is generated by encoding the first segment using a first intermediate bitrate. Quality scores are generated for the first TAB segment and the first IAB segment. A first output segment is selected for the first segment at the first MAB based on the quality scores, where the first output segment is either the first TAB segment or the first IAB segment. Upon receiving a request for the first segment at the first MAB, the first output segment is outputted.

Abstract: Embodiments provide for a system, comprising a plurality of encoders configured to generate a plurality of variant streams, and a cross-variant Instantaneous Decoder Refresh (IDR) identifier configured to inspect the plurality of variant streams, identify IDR frames in each of the plurality of variant streams, determine which IDR frames correspond to cross-variant boundaries, and demarcate the IDR frames corresponding to cross-variant boundaries.

Abstract: Embodiments provide for a system, comprising a plurality of encoders configured to generate a plurality of variant streams, and a cross-variant Instantaneous Decoder Refresh (IDR) identifier configured to inspect the plurality of variant streams, identify IDR frames in each of the plurality of variant streams, determine which IDR frames correspond to cross-variant boundaries, and demarcate the IDR frames corresponding to cross-variant boundaries.

Abstract: Embodiments herein describe dividing a video into chunks with varying lengths based on the content within those frames. In contrast, dividing the video at a fix interval is prone to generating chunks starting at the middle of hard to encode areas, which can lead to a loss of encoder rate-control efficiency and produce visual quality gaps at the beginning of such chunks. The embodiments herein can identify a set of boundaries for dividing the video into chunks having similar lengths and with little to no impact on visual quality. In one embodiment, the boundaries of the chunks are placed at locations (or frames) that are far from the complex (or hard to encode) areas of the video. To do so, the system evaluates the video using various complexity metrics to identify the complex areas that require more bits to encode relative to less complex areas.

Abstract: A method is provided in certain example embodiments and may include evaluating a first video stream being encoded by a first encoding element, where the first video stream is provided at a first bit rate. The method may also include evaluating a second video stream being encoded by a second encoding element, where the second video stream is provided at a second bit rate. The method may further include providing an output that is reflective of a time synchronization and a frame alignment for a plurality of frames within the first video stream and the second video stream.

Abstract: A system can include a controller that employs an application interface to create and manage resources for encoding or transcoding an input media asset. The resources can include a media splitter to divide the input media asset into a plurality of media blocks. A media analyzer can analyze separately media content in each of the media blocks to determine respective encoding parameters for each of the media blocks based on a complexity for each of the respective media blocks. A plurality of encoders can encode or transcode, in parallel with each other, each of the media blocks based on the determined encoding parameters to generate an encoded media file in a target format.

Abstract: A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes generating a key associated with a virtual asset associated with content to be provided to a client device, where the key indicates at least one parameter for accessing the content; generating the virtual asset; receiving a request for the content; identifying a format being requested for the content; using the virtual asset to identify common format content to be retrieved and to identify the key; using the key to retrieve the common format content; and transforming the common format content such that it can be delivered to the client device in the format that was requested.

Abstract: A method is provided in certain example embodiments, and may include receiving source timed text data and an associated time stamp, and rendering a representation of the received source timed text data within a textual array. The textual array includes at least one row having textual data associated with the received source timed text data contained therein. The method may further include producing at least one data document including row data associated with one or more rows of the textual array when the textual data of the at least one row has changed from a previously rendered on-screen representation of previously received source timed text data. The row data includes a change in textual data for one or more rows from a previously produced caption data document.

Abstract: A method is provided in one example and includes receiving media content including timed metadata, generating a common format asset including the timed metadata and a timed metadata index including at least one reference point corresponding to the common format asset. Each reference point includes state context information of the timed metadata at a particular instance of time. The method may further include receiving a request for the timed metadata from a particular client device, and retrieving a determined amount of the timed metadata from the common format asset using the timed metadata index. In a particular example, the determined amount of the timed metadata is an amount sufficient to display a current timed metadata context corresponding to the request.

Abstract: A method is provided in one example and includes determining an occurrence of an exception to a predetermined cadence associated with an input stream of a profile, determining a shifted cadence based, at least in part, on the exception, receiving an indication of a key frame in the profile, determining that the key frame aligns with the shifted cadence, designating the key frame as a boundary point based, at least in part, on the shifted cadence, and communicating the boundary point.

Abstract: A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes receiving video data at an adaptive bitrate (ABR) client that includes a buffer; determining whether a buffer level for the buffer is below a target buffer level; applying a random delay for a fetch interval associated with requesting the video data; and requesting a next segment of the video data after the random delay. The random delay can provide for a plurality of fetch times to become decorrelated from each other.

Abstract: A system can include a controller that employs an application interface to create and manage resources for encoding or transcoding an input media asset. The resources can include a media splitter to divide the input media asset into a plurality of media blocks. A media analyzer can analyze separately media content in each of the media blocks to determine respective encoding parameters for each of the media blocks based on a complexity for each of the respective media blocks. A plurality of encoders can encode or transcode, in parallel with each other, each of the media blocks based on the determined encoding parameters to generate an encoded media file in a target format.

Abstract: A method is provided in one example embodiment and includes receiving media from an input; gathering metadata from a plurality of media stream representations that are provided by the input; creating one or more metadata segments corresponding to the plurality of media stream representations in order to generate a metadata track; and making at least a portion of the metadata track available to a client device, where the portion of the metadata track is provided separate from a manifest file.

Abstract: A method is provided in one example and includes receiving first synchronization information associated with a first encapsulated output, receiving second synchronization information associated with a second encapsulated output, and determining whether the first encapsulated output and the second encapsulated output are in synchronization based upon the first synchronization information and the second synchronization information. The method may further include, when the first encapsulated output and the second encapsulated output are determined to out of synchronization, generating corrected synchronization information, and sending the corrected synchronization information to an encapsulator generating at least one of the first encapsulated output and the second encapsulated output.

Abstract: A method is provided in certain example embodiments and may include evaluating a first video stream being encoded by a first encoding element, where the first video stream is provided at a first bit rate. The method may also include evaluating a second video stream being encoded by a second encoding element, where the second video stream is provided at a second bit rate. The method may further include providing an output that is reflective of a time synchronization and a frame alignment for a plurality of frames within the first video stream and the second video stream.