[11] | Anatoliy Zabrovskiy, Evgeny Kuzmin, Evgeny Petrov, Christian Timmerer, Christopher Mueller, AdViSE: Adaptive Video Streaming Evaluation Framework for the Automated Testing of Media Players, In Proceedings of the 8th ACM on Multimedia Systems Conference (MMSys'17) (Kuan-Ta Chen, ed.), ACM, New York, NY, USA, pp. 4, 2017.
[bib] [doi] [pdf] [abstract]
Abstract: Today we can observe a plethora of adaptive video stream- ing services and media players which support interoperable formats like DASH and HLS. Most of the players and their rate adaptation algorithms work as a black box. We have de- veloped a system for easy and rapid testing of media players under various network scenarios. In this paper, we introduce AdViSE, the Adaptive Video Streaming Evaluation frame- work for the automated testing of adaptive media players. The presented framework is used for the comparison and testing of media players in the context of adaptive video streaming over HTTP in web/HTML5 environments. The demonstration showcases a series of experiments with different media players under given context conditions (e.g., network shaping, delivery format). We will also demonstrate the real-time capabilities of the framework and offline anal- ysis including several QoE metrics with respect to a newly introduced bandwidth index.
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[10] | Raimund Schatz, Andreas Sackl, Christian Timmerer, Bruno Gardlo, Towards Subjective Quality of Experience Assessment for Omnidirectional Video Streaming, In 2017 Ninth International Conference on Quality of Multimedia Experience (QoMEX) (Alexander Raake, ed.), IEEE, New York, USA, pp. 6, 2017.
[bib] [doi] [pdf] [abstract]
Abstract: Currently, we witness dramatically increasing interest in immersive media technologies like Virtual Reality (VR), particularly in omnidirectional video (OV) streaming. Omnidirectional (also called 360-degree) videos are panoramic spherical videos in which the user can look around during playback and which therefore can be understood as hybrids between traditional movie streaming and interactive VR worlds. Unfortunately, streaming this kind of content is extremely bandwidth intensive (compared to traditional 2D video) and therefore, Quality of Experience (QoE) tends to deteriorate significantly in absence of continuous optimal bandwidth conditions. In this paper, we present a first approach towards subjective QoE assessment for omnidirectional video (OV) streaming. We present the results of a lab study on the QoE impact of stalling in the context of OV streaming using head-mounted displays (HMDs). Our findings show that subjective testing for immersive media like OV is not trivial, with even simple cases like stalling leading to unexpected results. After a discussion of characteristic pitfalls and lessons learned, we provide a a set of recommendations for upcoming OV assessment studies.
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[9] | Christian Timmerer, Touradj Ebrahimi, Fernando Pereira, Toward a New Assessment of Quality, In IEEE Computer, IEEE Computer Society, vol. 48, no. 3, Los Alamitos, CA, USA, pp. 108-110, 2015.
[bib] [pdf] [abstract]
Abstract: A convergence of trends is shifting the focus of quality assessment from compliance with system design goals to fulfillment of user needs or expectations in different contexts.
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[8] | Christian Timmerer, Benjamin Rainer, The Social Multimedia Experience, In IEEE Computer, IEEE Computer Society, vol. 47, no. 3, Los Alamitos, CA, USA, pp. 67-69, 2014.
[bib] [pdf] [abstract]
Abstract: Inter-destination multimedia synchronization and quality of experience are critical to the success of social TV, which integrates television viewing with social networking.
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[7] | Christian Timmerer, Markus Waltl, Benjamin Rainer, Niall Murray, Sensory Experience: Quality of Experience Beyond Audio-Visual, Chapter in Quality of Experience: Advanced Concepts, Applications and Methods (Sebastian Möller, Alexander Raake, eds.), Springer, Heidelberg, pp. 351-365, 2014.
[bib] [abstract]
Abstract: This chapter introduces the concept of Sensory Experience which aims to define the Quality of Experience (QoE) going beyond audio-visual content. In particular, we show how to utilize sensory effects such as ambient light, scent, wind, or vibration as additional dimensions contributing to the quality of the user experience. Therefore, we utilize a standardized representation format for sensory effects that are attached to traditional multimedia resources such as audio, video, and image contents. Sensory effects are rendered on special devices (e.g., fans, lights, motion chair, scent emitter) in synchronization with the traditional multimedia resources and shall stimulate also other senses than hearing and seeing with the intention to increase the Quality of Experience (QoE), in this context referred to as Sensory Experience.
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[6] | Christian Sieber, Tobias Hoßfeld, Thomas Zinner, Phuoc Tran-Gia, Christian Timmerer, Implementation and User-centric Comparison of a Novel Adaptation Logic for DASH with SVC, In Integrated Network Management (IM 2013), 2013 IFIP/IEEE International Symposium on (Filip De Turck, Yixin Diao, Choong Seon Hong, Deep Medhi, Ramin Sadre, eds.), IEEE Communications Society, New York, NY, USA, pp. 1318-1323, 2013.
[bib] [pdf] [abstract]
Abstract: The MPEG-DASH standard allows the client-centric access to different representations of video content via the HTTP protocol. The client can flexibly switch between different qualities, i.e., different bit rates and thus avoid waiting times during the video playback due to empty playback buffers. However, quality switches and the playback of lower qualities is perceived by the user which may reduce the Quality of Experience (QoE). Therefore, novel algorithms are required which manage the streaming behavior with respect to the user's requirements and which do not waste network resources. As indicated by recent studies, scalable video coding (SVC) may use the current network and content distribution infrastructure in a more efficient way than with single layer codecs. The contribution of this paper is the design and the implementation of a novel DASH/SVC streaming algorithm. By means of measurements in a test-bed, its performance and benefits are evaluated and compared to existing algorithms from an user-centric view point with objective performance metrics. Our findings show that the proposed algorithm outperforms other DASH mechanisms in terms of video quality, low switching frequency and usage of the available resources in a realistic mobile network scenario. This is a first step towards true QoE management of video streaming in the Internet with DASH and SVC.
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[5] | Claudio Alberti, Daniele Renzi, Christian Timmerer, Christopher Mueller, Stefan Lederer, Stefano Battista, Marco Mattavelli, Automated QoE Evaluation of Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP, In Proceedings of the 5th International Workshop on Quality of Multimedia Experience (QoMEX'13) (Christian Timmerer, Patrick Le Callet, Martin Varela, Stefan Winkler, Tiago Falk, eds.), IEEE, Los Alamitos, CA, USA, pp. 58-63, 2013.
[bib] [pdf] [abstract]
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.
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[4] | Christian Timmerer, Markus Waltl, Benjamin Rainer, Hermann Hellwagner, Assessing the quality of sensory experience for multimedia presentations, In Signal Processing: Image Communication, Elsevier, vol. 27, no. 8, Amsterdam, Netherlands, pp. 909-916, 2012.
[bib][url] [doi] [pdf] [abstract]
Abstract: This paper introduces the concept of sensory experience by utilizing sensory effects such as wind or lighting as another dimension which contributes to the quality of the user experience. In particular, we utilize a representation format for sensory effects that are attached to traditional multimedia resources such as audio, video, and image contents. Sensory effects (e.g., wind, lighting, explosion, heat, cold) are rendered on special devices (e.g., fans, ambient lights, motion chair, air condition) in synchronization with the traditional multimedia resources and shall stimulate other senses than audition and vision (e.g., mechanoreception, equilibrioception, thermoreception), with the intention to increase the users Quality of Experience (QoE). In particular, the paper provides a comprehensive introduction into the concept of sensory experience, its assessment in terms of the QoE, and related standardization and implementation efforts. Finally, we will highlight open issues and research challenges including future work.
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[3] | Tobias Hoßfeld, Raimund Schatz, Martin Varela, Christian Timmerer, Challenges of QoE Management for Cloud Applications, In Communications Magazine, IEEE, IEEE Communications Society, vol. 50, no. 4, New York, NY, USA, pp. 28-36, 2012.
[bib] [doi] [pdf] [abstract]
Abstract: Cloud computing is currently gaining enormous momentum due to a number of promised benefits: ease of use in terms of deployment, administration, and maintenance, along with high scalability and flexibility to create new services. However, as more personal and business applications migrate to the cloud, service quality will become an important differentiator between providers. In particular, quality of experience as perceived by users has the potential to become the guiding paradigm for managing quality in the cloud. In this article, we discuss technical challenges emerging from shifting services to the cloud, as well as how this shift impacts QoE and QoE management. Thereby, a particular focus is on multimedia cloud applications. Together with a novel QoE-based classification scheme of cloud applications, these challenges drive the research agenda on QoE management for cloud applications.
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[2] | Harilaos Koumaras, Daniel Negru, Eugen Borcoci, Vaios Koumaras, Costas Troulos, Yael Lapid, Evangelos Pallis, Mamadou Sidibé, Antonia Pinto, Georgios Gardikis, George Xilouris, Christian Timmerer, Media Ecosystems: A Novel Approach for Content-Awareness in Future Networks, Chapter in The Future Internet (John Domingue, Alex Galis, Anastasius Gavras, Theodore Zahariadis, Dave Lambert, Frances Cleary, Petros Daras, Srdjan Krco, Henning Müller, Man-Sze Li, Hans Schaffers, Volkmar Lotz, Federico Alvarez, Burkhard Stiller, Stamatis Karnouskos, Susanna Avessta, Michael Nilsson, eds.), Springer, vol. 6656, Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, pp. 369-380, 2011.
[bib] [doi] [pdf] [abstract]
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.
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[1] | Christian Timmerer, Karsten Müller, Immersive Future Media Technologies: From 3D Video to Sensory Experiences, In Proceedings of the International Conference on Multimedia (MM '10) (Alberto del Bimbo, Shih-Fu Chang, Arnold Smeulders, eds.), ACM, New York, NY, USA, pp. 1781-1782, 2010.
[bib][url] [doi] [pdf] [abstract]
Abstract: In this tutorial we present immersive future media technologies ranging from 3D video to sensory experiences. The former targets stereo and multi-view video technologies whereas the latter aims at stimulating other senses than vision or audition enabling an advanced user experiences through sensory effects.
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