Abstract: Multimedia delivery over the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) is currently very popular and with MPEGs' Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP (DASH) a standard is available to provide interoperability and enable large-scale deployments using existing infrastructures (servers, proxies, caches, etc.). This paper identifies some issue when multiple DASH clients compete for a bandwidth bottleneck when transparent proxy caches are deployed. Therefore, we propose a fair share adaptation scheme to be included within the client which – through experimental results – achieve a more efficient utilization of the bottleneck bandwidth and less quality switches.

Abstract: Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP (DASH) is referred to as a multimedia streaming standard to deliver high quality multimedia content over the Internet using conventional HTTP Web servers. As a fundamental feature, it enables automatic switching of quality levels according to network conditions, user requirements, and expectations. Currently, the proposed adaptation schemes for HTTP streaming mostly rely on throughput measurements and/or buffer-related metrics, such as buffer exhaustion and levels. In this paper, we propose to enhance the DASH adaptation logic by feeding it with additional information from our evaluation of the users' perception approximating the user- perceived quality of video playback. The proposed model aims at conveniently combining TCP-, buffer-, and media content-related metrics as well as user requirements and expectations to be used as an input for the DASH adaptation logic. Experiments have demonstrated that the chosen model enhances the capability of the adaptation logic to select the optimal video quality level. Finally, we integrated all our findings into a real DASH system with QoE monitoring capabilities.

Abstract: In this tutorial we present dynamic adaptive streaming over HTTP ranging from content creation to consumption. It particular, it provides an overview of the recently ratified MPEG-DASH standard, how to create content to be delivered using DASH, its consumption, and the evaluation thereof with respect to competing industry solutions. The tutorial can be roughly clustered into three parts. In part I we will provide an introduction to DASH, part II covers content creation, delivery, and consumption, and, finally, part III deals with the evaluation of existing (open source) MPEG-DASH implementations compared to state-of-art deployed industry solutions.

Abstract: This chapter proposes a novel concept towards the deployment of a networked ‘Media Ecosystem’. The proposed solution is based on a flexible co- operation between providers, operators, and end-users, finally enabling every user first to access the offered multimedia services in various contexts, and second to share and deliver his own audiovisual content dynamically, seamlessly, and transparently to other users. Towards this goal, the proposed concept provides content-awareness to the network environment, network- and user context- awareness to the service environment, and adapted services/content to the end user for his best service experience possible, taking the role of a consumer and/or producer.

Abstract: This paper proposes a novel combination of arti- ficial intelligence planning and other techniques for improv- ing decision-making in the context of multi-step multime- dia content adaptation. In particular, it describes a method that allows decision-making (selecting the adaptation to perform) in situations where third-party pluggable multi- media conversion modules are involved and the multime- dia adaptation planner does not know their exact adapta- tion capabilities. In this approach, the multimedia adapta- tion planner module is only responsible for a part of the required decisions; the pluggable modules make additional decisions based on different criteria. We demonstrate that partial decision-making is not only attainable, but also in- troduces advantages with respect to a system in which these conversion modules are not capable of providing additional decisions. This means that transferring decisions from the multi-step multimedia adaptation planner to the pluggable conversion modules increases the flexibility of the adapta- tion. Moreover, by allowing conversion modules to be only partially described, the range of problems that these modules can address increases, while significantly decreasing both the description length of the adaptation capabilities and the planning decision time. Finally, we specify the conditions under which knowing the partial adaptation capabilities of a set of conversion modules will be enough to compute a proper adaptation plan.