Interactive streaming of structured data

Abstract

We present ChunkStream, a system for efficient streaming and interactive editing of online video. Rather than using a specialized protocol and stream format, ChunkStream makes use of a generic mechanism employing chunks. Chunks are fixed-size arrays that contain a mixture of scalar data and references to other chunks. Chunks allow programmers to expose large, but fine-grained, data structures over the network. ChunkStream represents video clips using simple data types like linked lists and search trees, allowing a client to retrieve and work with only the portions of the clips that it needs. ChunkStream supports resource-adaptive playback and “live” streaming of real-time video as well as fast, frame-accurate seeking; bandwidth-efficient high-speed playback; and compilation of editing decisions from a set of clips. Benchmarks indicate that ChunkStream uses less bandwidth than HTTP Live Streaming while providing better support for editing primitives.