From theory to practice

Modern video streaming uses adaptive bitrate (ABR) algorithms than run inside video players and continually adjust the quality (i.e., bitrate) of the video segments that are downloaded and rendered to the user. To maximize the quality-of-experience of the user, ABR algorithms must stream at a high bitrate with low rebuffering and low bitrate oscillations. Further, a good ABR algorithm is responsive to user and network events and can be used in demanding scenarios such as low-latency live streaming. Recent research papers provide an abundance of ABR algorithms, but fall short on many of the above real-world requirements.