Multiple protocol prediction and in-session adaptation in video streaming

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium containing instructions, that when executed, control a computer system to be operable for:

• determining a plurality of profiles of a profile ladder and a plurality of protocols, wherein profiles in the plurality of profiles are associated with a plurality of bitrate levels, and wherein a first protocol defines a first specification of how a video is sent using the plurality of profiles and a second protocol defines a second specification of how the video is sent using the plurality of profiles;
• sending a set of requests for a set of segments of a video at a first profile from the plurality of profiles, wherein a first protocol is specified to be used to receive the set of segments of the video based on the set of requests;
• comparing a first performance of the first protocol based on the set of requests for the video and a second performance of a second protocol, wherein the plurality of profiles, the first protocol, and the second protocol are available for selection in a playback session for the video;
• and
• determining whether to switch from using the first protocol to the second protocol in the playback session based on the comparing and whether to switch profiles in the plurality of profiles based on respective bitrates in the plurality of bitrate levels and an available bandwidth in the playback session, wherein the second protocol is specified to be used for a request for a segment of the video when switching to the second protocol and a second profile is specified for a request for a segment of video when switching profiles.

A method comprising:

• receiving, by a computing device, a request for a video that is encoded in a plurality of profiles of a profile ladder, wherein the plurality of profiles are associated with different levels of a bitrate;
• calculating, by the computing device, a performance metric for a plurality of protocols, wherein the plurality of protocols can be switched when sending a set of segments of the video using the plurality of profiles in a request for a segment of the video, and wherein a level from a plurality of levels for a profile is selected for the set of segments;
• comparing, by the computing device, the performance metric for the plurality of protocols to predict a protocol in the plurality of protocols to use before a playback starts for the video in a playback session;
• and
• outputting, by the computing device, information for the protocol as a setting for the playback session, wherein video for the playback session is able to be sent using the protocol, wherein profiles in the plurality of profiles can be switched in a request for a segment of video based on respective bitrates in the plurality levels and an available bandwidth in the playback session.