An adaptive media playout for intra-media synchronization of networked-video applications

Abstract

Adaptive media playout (AMP) aims to improve the media synchronization quality of streaming applications by regulating the playout time interval among media units (MUs) at a receiver. In this paper, we introduce an AMP scheme based on a discontinuity model for intra-media synchronization of video applications over the best-effort networks. We analyze the temporal distortion (i.e., discontinuity) cases, such as playout pause and skip, to define a unified discontinuity model. Based on the discontinuity model, an objective intra-media synchronization quality metric is defined as the root mean square error (RMSE) of discontinuity. After that, we establish a practical algorithm that enables an efficient playout speed control to enhance the intra-media synchronization quality. Simulation results verify the enhanced intra-media synchronization quality through comparison with a conventional buffer-threshold-based scheme. (c) 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.