Abstract: A method for obtaining video chunks of a video sphere for display on a head-mounted display connected to a video server is described, the video chunks being spatially split into a plurality of tiles that can be encoded on at least two different quality levels, including a high quality level and a low quality level, and a display window includes a video sphere portion that is to be displayed at a particular display time. Prior to the display time, the display window is predicted, tiles covering the estimated display window are estimated, and assigned a high quality level, and tiles adjoining those tiles are estimated and assigned a low quality level. A request is sent to a video server to obtain an encoded tile at the associated quality level. The tiles are received from the video server, the display window is determined, and the tiles corresponding to the determined display window are decoded and displayed.

Abstract: A method for obtaining video chunks of a video sphere for display on a head-mounted display connected to a video server is described, the video chunks being spatially split into a plurality of tiles that can be encoded on at least two different quality levels, including a high quality level and a low quality level, and a display window includes a video sphere portion that is to be displayed at a particular display time. Prior to the display time, the display window is predicted, tiles covering the estimated display window are estimated, and assigned a high quality level, and tiles adjoining those tiles are estimated and assigned a low quality level. A request is sent to a video server to obtain an encoded tile at the associated quality level. The tiles are received from the video server, the display window is determined, and the tiles corresponding to the determined display window are decoded and displayed.

Abstract: Methods are provided for communication in a broadcast group and for collecting real time data in a broadcast group. The broadcast group includes a set of sources that send real time data, the set being made up of at least two sources and a server. A data-sending source of the group sends first time information relating to a first exchange of control data of the first source with the server by broadcasting to the members of the group. The first exchange is the one and only exchange of control data of the first source with the members of the broadcast group. The data-sending source receives second time information sent by the server and relating to the first exchange of control data between the first source and the server and to a second exchange of control data between the second source and the server. The source also receives second time data from other sources of the group and determines a transmission time between itself and another source of the group from the first and second received time information.

Abstract: Methods are provided for communication in a broadcast group and for collecting real time data in a broadcast group. The broadcast group includes a set of sources that send real time data, the set being made up of at least two sources and a server. A data-sending source of the group sends first time information relating to a first exchange of control data of the first source with the server by broadcasting to the members of the group. The first exchange is the one and only exchange of control data of the first source with the members of the broadcast group. The data-sending source receives second time information sent by the server and relating to the first exchange of control data between the first source and the server and to a second exchange of control data between the second source and the server. The source also receives second time data from other sources of the group and determines a transmission time between itself and another source of the group from the first and second received time information.