System and method for optimizing video communications based on device capabilities

A method for decoding video for display by a device, the method comprising:

• receiving an encoded first video frame and an encoded second video frame;
• independently decoding the encoded first and second video frames using a first decoder and a second decoder, respectively;
• upscaling the decoded first video frame to a resolution matching a resolution of the decoded second video frame;
• and
• adding the upscaled decoded first video frame and the decoded second video frame to create an additive video frame.

A device for sending and receiving optimized video frames, the device comprising:

• a processor;
• and
• a memory coupled to the processor, the memory having a plurality of instructions stored therein for execution by the processor, the plurality of instructions including instructions for
• scaling an original video frame down to a lower resolution video frame;
• encoding the lower resolution video frame using a first encoder to produce a first layer output;
• decoding the first layer output;
• upscaling the decoded first layer output to match a resolution of the original video frame;
• obtaining a difference between the upscaled decoded first layer output and the original video frame;
• and
• encoding the difference using a second encoder to create a second layer output, wherein the encoding to produce the second layer output occurs independently from the encoding to produce the first layer output.