Abstract: Method and apparatus for detecting a pattern used by an encoder when outputting segments for HTTP streaming. A pattern detector receives, as part of a HTTP streaming protocol, a sequence of video segments and a sequence of audio segments forming at least a portion of a media presentation. The pattern detector identifies a duration of the video segments and then sums the durations of the sequence of audio segments until the summed duration is an integer multiple of the duration of the video segments. The pattern detector determines the number of the audio segments used to form the summed duration which includes the number of audio segments forming a cycle of the pattern. This pattern is then added to a manifest of the media presentation along with a repeat indicator defining the number of times the pattern is repeated.

Abstract: Methods of video streaming are generally described. In some examples, the methods may be performed by a server device and may include generating first intra-coded frame (I-frame) data and a plurality of enhancement layer data corresponding to the first I-frame data. The methods may further include sending the first I-frame data to a client device. The methods may further include transmitting first enhancement layer data to the client device. The methods may include sending first inter-coded frame data to the client device. In some examples, the first inter-coded frame data can be decoded by referencing first reference frame data generated by combining the first I-frame data and the first enhancement layer data.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for providing media presentations that include content originating from multiple sources. Techniques disclosed include server-side logic for inserting secondary content, such as advertisements, into primary content, such as a VOD presentation. Systems implementing the disclosed techniques can support different viewer device capabilities relating to displaying media presentations that include content from multiple sources.

Abstract: Techniques are described for encoding image frames of media content to be displayed within a three-dimensional projection space. Image frames at opposing sides of a seam of the three-dimensional projection space implementing a virtual reality (VR) environment can be identified and characteristics of portions of those image frames at the seam can be determined. Encoding parameters for a portion of one image frame can then be generated based on the characteristics of the portion of the other image frame on the opposite side of the seam.

Abstract: Video image stabilization provides better performance on a generic platform for computing devices by evaluating available multimedia digital signal processing components, and selecting the available components to utilize according to a hierarchy structure for video stabilization performance for processing parts of the video stabilization. The video stabilization has improved motion vector estimation that employs refinement motion vector searching according to a pyramid block structure relationship starting from a downsampled resolution version of the video frames. The video stabilization also improves global motion transform estimation by performing a random sample consensus approach for processing the local motion vectors, and selection criteria for motion vector reliability. The video stabilization achieves the removal of hand shakiness smoothly by real-time one-pass or off-line two-pass temporal smoothing with error detection and correction.

Abstract: Techniques are described for encoding noisy media content. A residual coefficient matrix representing differences in image content between a portion of a target image frame and portions of one or more reference frames can include noise within a high frequency band. Some of the noise can be removed by removing isolated residual coefficients. Some of the noise can be reduced by attenuating their values selectively.

Abstract: Techniques are described for encoding information in manifest data in a way that enables identification of a version of media content. Such a capability may be used to identify dynamic content inserted into the media content for the purpose of tracking the effect of the dynamic content on user generated feedback. This capability might also be used to identify a user or device associated with a particular copy of the media content for anti-piracy purposes.

Abstract: Techniques are described for just-in-time variable adaptive encoding and delivery of media content. Fragments of media content are encoded at bitrates corresponding to available bandwidth of client devices. If the available bandwidth changes, the bitrate at which fragments are being encoded is adjusted to correspond with the changed bandwidth.

Abstract: A media processing tool adds custom data to an elementary media bitstream or media container. The custom data indicates nominal range of samples of media content, but the meaning of the custom data is not defined in the codec format or media container format. For example, the custom data indicates the nominal range is full range or limited range. For playback, a media processing tool parses the custom data and determines an indication of media content type. A rendering engine performs color conversion operations whose logic changes based at least in part on the media content type. In this way, a codec format or media container format can in effect be extended to support full nominal range media content as well as limited nominal range media content, and hence preserve full or correct color fidelity, while maintaining backward compatibility and conformance with the codec format or media container format.

Abstract: Techniques are described that enable virtual reality content to be delivered using a video codec that operates according to a scalable video encoding standard. These techniques include selectively downloading and decoding frames of video content.

Abstract: Techniques are described that enable virtual reality content to be delivered using a video codec that operates according to a scalable video encoding standard. These techniques include selectively downloading and decoding frames of video content.

Abstract: Techniques are described for adaptive encoding of different visual elements in a video frame. Characteristics of visual elements can be determined and used to set encoding parameters for the visual elements. The visual elements can be encoded such that one visual element is encoded differently than another visual element if they have different characteristics.

Abstract: A media processing tool adds custom data to an elementary media bitstream or media container. The custom data indicates nominal range of samples of media content, but the meaning of the custom data is not defined in the codec format or media container format. For example, the custom data indicates the nominal range is full range or limited range. For playback, a media processing tool parses the custom data and determines an indication of media content type. A rendering engine performs color conversion operations whose logic changes based at least in part on the media content type. In this way, a codec format or media container format can in effect be extended to support full nominal range media content as well as limited nominal range media content, and hence preserve full or correct color fidelity, while maintaining backward compatibility and conformance with the codec format or media container format.

Abstract: Syntax structures that indicate the completion of coded regions of pictures are described. For example, a syntax structure in an elementary bitstream indicates the completion of a coded region of a picture. The syntax structure can be a type of network abstraction layer unit, a type of supplemental enhancement information message or another syntax structure. For example, a media processing tool such as an encoder can detect completion of a coded region of a picture, then output, in a predefined order in an elementary bitstream, syntax structure(s) that contain the coded region as well as a different syntax structure that indicates the completion of the coded region. Another media processing tool such as a decoder can receive, in a predefined order in an elementary bitstream, syntax structure(s) that contain a coded region of a picture as well as a different syntax structure that indicates the completion of the coded region.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for estimating the peak bit rate for content and specifying the BANDWIDTH tag value for HLS content. This disclosure also describes techniques by which live content and VOD content can be stitched together in a way that harmonizes the different requirements for the BANDWIDTH tag for the different types of content.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for making broadcast content available as an on-demand asset soon after all of the video fragments of the broadcast content have been made available. As the video fragments of the broadcast content are made available, they are requested and archived. When all of the fragments for the duration of the broadcast content are available (e.g., a live event ends), a VOD-style manifest is generated and the archived fragments are made available for downloading or streaming using the VOD-style manifest.

Abstract: Techniques are described for handling offsets (gaps or overlaps) that occur between segments of streaming content, e.g., between a segment of primary content (e.g., a live sporting event) and a segment of secondary content (e.g., ad content) dynamically inserted into the stream. The effect of such offsets can be that synchronization between the video and audio portions of the stream can be lost. By tracking a cumulative offset derived from the audio portion of the stream and applying that offset to the presentation times of each affected sample of both the audio and video portions of the stream, synchronization of the audio and video is maintained.

Abstract: Techniques are described by which multiple, independently encoded video streams may be combined into a single decodable video stream. These techniques take advantage of existing features of commonly used video codecs that support the independent encoding of different regions of an image frame (e.g., H.264 slices or HEVC tiles). Instead of including different parts of the same image, each region corresponds to the encoded image data of the frames of one of the independent video streams.

Abstract: Techniques are described for handling temporal overlaps that occur between fragments of streaming media content, such as between a fragment of primary media content (e.g., a live sporting event) and a fragment of secondary media content (e.g., ad media content) dynamically inserted into the stream.

Abstract: Techniques are described that enable stereoscopic content to be delivered. These techniques including encoding frames of stereoscopic video content within a base layer and temporal enhancement layer and decoding the encoded frames.