Abstract: A method comprising: receiving a scalable video coding (SVC) encoded video data from a source of digital video data, the SVC-encoded video data carrying a video content, the SVC-encoded video data including a network abstraction layer (NAL) extension header, a first layer for the video content, and a second layer for the video content, the first layer including first video data utilized to retrieve the video content in basic quality from the SVC-encoded video data, the second layer including second video data utilized along with the first video data to retrieve the video content in enhanced quality from the SVC-encoded video data; parsing the NAL extension header to identify the first and second video data; assigning a higher priority to the first video data for retransmission relative to the second video data; caching the first and second video data with the assigned priority in a buffer memory; monitoring a digital data network to collect first network transport conditions, the digital data network being co

Abstract: Described herein are a method and apparatus including calculating an aggregate peak total traffic demand for all overlapping access points in an interference range, comparing the aggregate peak total traffic demand to a threshold, rejecting a requested new quality of service traffic stream responsive to results of the comparison, calculating a peak total traffic demand for each overlapping access point in the interference range if the requested new quality of service traffic stream is admissible responsive to results of the comparison, comparing the peak total traffic demand for each overlapping access point in the interference range, if the requested new quality of service traffic stream is admissible, to the threshold and one of accepting the requested new quality of service traffic stream and rejecting the requested new quality of service traffic stream responsive to results of the second comparison.

Abstract: A method comprising: receiving a scalable video coding (SVC) encoded video data from a source of digital video data, the SVC-encoded video data carrying a video content, the SVC-encoded video data including a network abstraction layer (NAL) extension header, a first layer for the video content, and a second layer for the video content, the first layer including first video data utilized to retrieve the video content in basic quality from the SVC-encoded video data, the second layer including second video data utilized along with the first video data to retrieve the video content in enhanced quality from the SVC-encoded video data; parsing the NAL extension header to identify the first and second video data; assigning a higher priority to the first video data for retransmission relative to the second video data; caching the first and second video data with the assigned priority in a buffer memory; monitoring a digital data network to collect first network transport conditions, the digital data network being co

Abstract: Methods for concealing Scalable Video Coding (SVC) decoding errors. Lost pictures in the target layer are replaced with up-sampled pictures from a lower layer, such as the base layer. In multiloop decoding applications, lost pictures in the target layer are replaced with corresponding up-sampled pictures from the lower layer. Subsequent target layer pictures in the same Group of Pictures (GOP) are either replaced with corresponding upsampled pictures from the lower layer, or they are decoded with up-sampled pictures from the lower layer used as reference pictures. For single-loop decoding, the bit stream of each layer is buffered, for each GOP, and inspected for errors. If an error is detected in the target layer, the pictures of the highest level layer without an error are decoded and up-sampled and used as the output pictures for the current GOP.

Abstract: An apparatus encodes a video signal for providing a scalable video coded (SVC) signal comprising a base layer video coded signal and an enhancement layer video coded signal, wherein the base layer video coded signal has more random access points, e.g., Instantaneous Decoder Refresh (IDR) slices, than the enhancement layer and in those access units where the enhancement layer has an IDR slice, the base layer has a non-IDR slice. Transmission of the SVC occurs in packet form using the Real-time Transport Protocol (RTP) such that non-random access point slices are conveyed in Simple Time Aggregation Packets (STAP), each Simple Time Aggregation Packet comprising a Payload Content Scalability Information (PACSI) Network Abstraction Layer (NAL) Unit.

Abstract: Described herein are a method and apparatus including calculating an aggregate peak total traffic demand for all overlapping access points in an interference range, comparing the aggregate peak total traffic demand to a threshold, rejecting a requested new quality of service traffic stream responsive to results of the comparison, calculating a peak total traffic demand for each overlapping access point in the interference range if the requested new quality of service traffic stream is admissible responsive to results of the comparison, comparing the peak total traffic demand for each overlapping access point in the interference range, if the requested new quality of service traffic stream is admissible, to the threshold and one of accepting the requested new quality of service traffic stream and rejecting the requested new quality of service traffic stream responsive to results of the second comparison.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described including parsing an abstraction-layer header, assigning a priority to a packet to be transmitted, buffering the data to be transmitted, transmitting data retrieved from a buffer via a datagram protocol, receiving a request for retransmission of data, determining if the requested data is in the buffer and retransmitting the requested data via a protocol that provides end-to-end acknowledgement of data and error recovery. A network monitor of a transmitter is connected between a network interface and a retransmission decision maker for deciding which packets to retransmit, for example, based on the assigned priority and collected network statistics. A network monitor may also be provided at a receiver for collecting current network statistics and reporting them to transmitter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described including parsing an abstraction-layer header and assigning a priority to a packet to be transmitted. A network monitor of a transmitter is connected between a network interface and a retransmission decision maker for deciding which packets to retransmit, for example, based on the assigned priority and collected network statistics or conditions, for example, packet loss rate. A network monitor may also be provided at a receiver for collecting current network statistics such as cumulative number of packets lost and for providing such statistics to a transmitter. The method further includes buffering the data to be transmitted along with the assigned priority, transmitting data retrieved from a buffer via a datagram protocol, receiving a request for retransmission of data, determining if the requested data is in the buffer and retransmitting the requested data via a protocol that provides end-to-end acknowledgement of data and error recovery.

Abstract: A delivery arrangement for linear TV programs uses SVC in which encoded enhancement layer video data is pre-downloaded to a STB and encoded base layer video data is live broadcasted to the STB at viewing time Pre-downloading of the enhancement layer data is done during off-peak viewing periods taking advantage of an abundance of network bandwidth while reducing bandwidth demand during peak viewing periods by broadcasting only the base layer data The enhancement layer data is downloaded in a modified MP4 file and stored in the STB for later synchronization and combination with the base layer, which is sent to the STB in a real time protocol (RTP) stream The combined base and enhancement layer data is SVC decoded for presentation to the enduser The pre-downloaded enhancement video file may be provided with digital rights management (DRM) protection, thereby providing conditional access to the enhanced video

Abstract: An apparatus encodes a video signal for providing a scalable video coded (SVC) signal comprising a base layer video coded signal and an enhancement layer video coded signal, wherein the base layer video coded signal has more random access points, e.g., Instantaneous Decoder Refresh (IDR) slices, than the enhancement layer and in those access units where the enhancement layer has an IDR slice, the base layer has a non-IDR slice. Transmission of the SVC occurs in packet form using the Real-time Transport Protocol (RTP) such that non-random access point slices are conveyed in Simple Time Aggregation Packets (STAP), each Simple Time Aggregation Packet comprising a Payload Content Scalability Information (PACSI) Network Abstraction Layer (NAL) Unit.

Abstract: Methods for concealing Scalable Video Coding (SVC) decoding errors. Lost pictures in the target layer are replaced with up-sampled pictures from a lower layer, such as the base layer. In multiloop decoding applications, lost pictures in the target layer are replaced with corresponding up-sampled pictures from the lower layer. Subsequent target layer pictures in the same Group of Pictures (GOP) are either replaced with corresponding upsampled pictures from the lower layer, or they are decoded with up-sampled pictures from the lower layer used as reference pictures. For single-loop decoding, the bit stream of each layer is buffered, for each GOP, and inspected for errors. If an error is detected in the target layer, the pictures of the highest level layer without an error are decoded and up-sampled and used as the output pictures for the current GOP.

Abstract: An apparatus encodes a video signal for providing a scalable video coded (SVC) signal comprising a base layer video coded signal and an enhancement layer video coded signal, wherein the base layer video coded signal has more random access points, e.g., Instantaneous Decoder Refresh (IDR) slices, than the enhancement layer and in those access units where the enhancement layer has an IDR slice, the base layer has a non-IDR slice.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fast channel change when changing the channel from a channel being viewed full screen as a main picture to a channel being viewed in a secondary channel program display window (e.g., a picture-in-picture (PIP) window). In one implementation, during the channel change, a secondary video stream for a secondary channel program is up-sampled and displayed full screen while receiving the corresponding regular video stream for the video program, of which program contents are identical to those of the secondary video stream. The program contents of the up-sampled secondary video stream is then be replaced seamlessly with those of the corresponding regular video stream at the time when an instantaneous decode refresh (IDR) frame of the corresponding regular video stream is received.

Abstract: There are provided methods and apparatus for fast channel change when changing the channel from a channel being viewed full screen to a channel being viewed in a secondary display window (e.g., picture-in-picture (PIP) window). In one implementation, the base layer stream of the SVC encoded stream is used as the secondary stream for the secondary display and the corresponding enhancement layer stream is used as the corresponding regular stream. Upon channel change request, the decoded base layer picture of the SVC encoded stream is up-sampled, and the up-sampled base layer picture is displayed full screen while receiving the corresponding SVC enhancement layer stream. Then, the up-sampled base layer picture is replaced by the decoded enhancement layer picture upon confirmation of successful receiving and decoding of an enhancement layer instantaneous decode refresh (IDR) frame.

Abstract: There are provided methods and apparatus for fast channel change for digital video. An apparatus includes at least one encoder for receiving normal video data and channel change video data and encoding the normal video data and the channel change video data in a normal video stream and a channel change video stream, respectively, using a common system clock to provide synchronization between the normal video stream and the channel change video stream. The normal video stream and the channel change video stream are encoded for transport separately at a transport level.