Abstract: Delivering a transport stream using a hybrid statistical multiplexer. Over a plurality of multiplexing cycles, a plurality of single program transport streams (SPTSs) are multiplexed onto a multiple program transport stream (MPTS). In each multiplexing cycle, it is determined whether any portion of the packets carried by the plurality of SPTSs may be delayed such that the delayed portion is multiplexed onto the MPTS in a future multiplexing cycle. For each multiplexing cycle, delay information that identifies how many packets were delayed is determined. The size of the bit rate pool for a subsequent allocation cycle is adjusted based on the delay information for a prior multiplexing cycle. Thereafter, the MPTS is delivered to one or more recipients.

Abstract: Delivering a transport stream using a hybrid statistical multiplexer. Over a plurality of multiplexing cycles, a plurality of single program transport streams (SPTSs) are multiplexed onto a multiple program transport stream (MPTS). In each multiplexing cycle, it is determined whether any portion of the packets carried by the plurality of SPTSs may be delayed such that the delayed portion is multiplexed onto the MPTS in a future multiplexing cycle. For each multiplexing cycle, delay information that identifies how many packets were delayed is determined. The size of the bit rate pool for a subsequent allocation cycle is adjusted based on the delay information for a prior multiplexing cycle. Thereafter, the MPTS is delivered to one or more recipients.

Abstract: Approaches for allocating bit rates to multiple digital video streams. Bit rates may be allocated to digital video streams by permitting any unit of digital video carried by the digital video streams to be a member of a set of digital content that is constrained by a sum of bit rates assigned to members of the set. To do so, a first set of bit rates to assign to each of the digital video streams is determined. Thereafter, a second set of bit rates to assign to each shared unit of digital video, which appears in two or more of the digital video streams, is determined. This may involve identifying the lowest bit rate assigned to each shared unit of digital video across the two or more bit rate pools. A remaining bit rate allotment is allocated to non-shared units of digital video within the digital video streams.

Abstract: Ensuring a long-term average bitrate for channels of a statistical multiplexing meets or exceeds a specified limit. An arbitrary target average bitrate for each of a set of channels of the statistical multiplexer is received. The long-term average bit rate for each channel of the statistical multiplexer is tracked. For each allocation cycle of the statistical multiplexer, bitrates to each encoder are assigned by splitting a bit allocation pool of the statistical multiplexer into a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is allocated to maximize video quality and the second portion is allocated to minimize a gap between the set of channels that are below their arbitrary target average bitrate based on the long-term average bit rate for the set of channels. Thereafter, the bit rates allocated from the first and second portions are distributed to the encoders encoding/transcoding the set of channels.

Abstract: Ensuring a long-term average bitrate for channels of a statistical multiplexing meets or exceeds a specified limit. An arbitrary target average bitrate for each of a set of channels of the statistical multiplexer is received. The long-term average bit rate for each channel of the statistical multiplexer is tracked. For each allocation cycle of the statistical multiplexer, bitrates to each encoder are assigned by splitting a bit allocation pool of the statistical multiplexer into a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is allocated to maximize video quality and the second portion is allocated to minimize a gap between the set of channels that are below their arbitrary target average bitrate based on the long-term average bit rate for the set of channels. Thereafter, the bit rates allocated from the first and second portions are distributed to the encoders encoding/transcoding the set of channels.

Abstract: Approaches for allocating bit rates to multiple digital video streams. Bit rates may be allocated to digital video streams by permitting any unit of digital video carried by the digital video streams to be a member of a set of digital content that is constrained by a sum of bit rates assigned to members of the set. To do so, a first set of bit rates to assign to each of the digital video streams is determined. Thereafter, a second set of bit rates to assign to each shared unit of digital video, which appears in two or more of the digital video streams, is determined. This may involve identifying the lowest bit rate assigned to each shared unit of digital video across the two or more bit rate pools. A remaining bit rate allotment is allocated to non-shared units of digital video within the digital video streams.