Gradation of Video Quality in Dash Services Using the H.264/SVC Coding

Abstract The share of video streaming services in the global network traffic is increasing every year. For this reason the problem of optimal use of the available bandwidth, while ensuring an acceptable level of quality of the transmitted video is becoming an important issue. A combination of two techniques, DASH streaming and H.264/AVC video coding can be an important step towards solving this problem. The article presents the discussion the choice of the proper gradation of SVC encoding parameters inside representation of video content in DASH systems. We propose the Temporal Preservation (T-P) method of selection of the SVC stream structure to optimize the grading changes of video quality. This method allows for the implementation of DASH adaptation to changes in available bandwidth on the transmission link, which minimizes the impact of this process on the quality of the received video. According to results of conducted tests, the T-P method offers a better final video quality in DASH systems than similar solutions based on a standard adaptation method. The comparison with the DASH system that uses H.264/AVC encoding also showed superiority of the T-P method, especially in situations of high network congestion