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Video quality protection for real time video streams over wireless networks

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Abstract

Received video quality is dependent on the available link rate and the packet loss ratio, which are correlated in a busy network link. Even low packet loss ratios (PLRs) can significantly reduce the video quality. In this paper, a packet level parity Forward Error Correction (FEC) is applied to the video stream in order to reduce the video PLR. A constant gross data rate is assumed, such that adding a FEC leads to a decrease in effective video data rate. The FEC block is truncated at the end of each video VOP, such that there are no inter-VOP dependencies for FEC correction. An algorithm is proposed to optimize the FEC length, based on the Quality of Experience as modelled by the ITU-T R G.1070 standard. It is shown that the optimization algorithm can significantly increase the video quality, without increasing the gross data rate. The algorithm has been evaluated both analytically and through simulations, which confirm the very significant increases in subjective video quality.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. INESC-ID, R. Alves Redol, 9, 1000, Lisboa, Portugal

    B. W. Martijn Kuipers, Ricardo N. Vaz & Mário S. Nunes

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  1. B. W. Martijn Kuipers
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  2. Ricardo N. Vaz
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  3. Mário S. Nunes
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Correspondence to B. W. Martijn Kuipers.

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Kuipers, B.W.M., Vaz, R.N. & Nunes, M.S. Video quality protection for real time video streams over wireless networks. Telecommun Syst 52, 2259–2270 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11235-011-9531-3

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