Systems and methods for encoding alternative streams of video for use in adaptive bitrate streaming

A method of performing adaptive bitrate streaming of media including a set of alternative video streams, comprising:

• requesting, by a playback device, portions of alternative streams of encoded video via a network based upon a plurality of sets of stream switching conditions, where each of the alternative streams of encoded video is encoded using variable bitrate encoding and having a different maximum bitrate;
• buffering the requested portions of the alternative streams of encoded video in a buffer on the playback device;
• measuring network data rate using the playback device;
• playing back encoded video from the portions of the alternative streams of encoded video stored in the buffer on the playback device, wherein the playback commences when a playback duration of encoded video stored in the buffer is greater than a minimum buffering delay;
• utilizing, by the playback device, a plurality of sets of stream switching rules in a manner dependent upon a playback duration of encoded video stored in the buffer on the playback device;
• utilizing, by the playback device, a first of the plurality of sets of stream switching rules when the playback duration of encoded video stored in the buffer is greater than or equal to an upper threshold;
• utilizing, by the playback device, a second of the plurality of sets of stream switching rules and when the playback duration of encoded video stored in the buffer is lower than the upper threshold and greater than or equal to a lower threshold;
• utilizing, by the playback device, a third of the plurality of sets of stream switching rules when the playback duration of encoded video stored in the buffer is less than a lower threshold,
• wherein the lower threshold and the upper threshold are fixed;
• wherein the first of the plurality of sets of stream switching rules comprises selecting a stream from the alternative streams of encoded video based upon specified maximum bitrates for the alternative streams of encoded video and a network data rate measurement, wherein the selected stream has a highest maximum bitrate that is less than the network data rate;
• and
• wherein a stream switching rule in the second of the plurality of stream switching rules is based upon multiple measurements of network data rate over a period of time.

A method of performing adaptive bitrate streaming of media including a set of alternative video streams, comprising:

• requesting, by a playback device, portions of alternative streams of encoded video via a network based upon a plurality of sets of stream switching conditions, where each of the alternative streams of encoded video is encoded using variable bitrate encoding and having a different maximum bitrate;
• buffering the requested portions of the alternative streams of encoded video in a buffer on the playback device;
• measuring network data rate using the playback device;
• playing back encoded video from the portions of the alternative streams of encoded video stored in the buffer on the playback device, wherein the playback commences when a playback duration of encoded video stored in the buffer is greater than a minimum buffering delay;
• utilizing, by the playback device, a plurality of sets of stream switching rules in a manner dependent upon a playback duration of encoded video stored in the buffer on the playback device;
• utilizing, by the playback device, a first of the plurality of sets of stream switching rules when the playback duration of encoded video stored in the buffer is greater than or equal to an upper threshold;
• utilizing, by the playback device, a second of the plurality of sets of stream switching rules and when the playback duration of encoded video stored in the buffer is lower than the upper threshold and greater than or equal to a lower threshold;
• wherein the first of the plurality of sets of stream switching rules comprises selecting a stream from the alternative streams of encoded video based upon specified maximum bitrates for the alternative streams of encoded video and a network data rate measurement, wherein the selected stream has a highest maximum bitrate that is less than the network data rate,
• wherein the lower threshold and the upper threshold are fixed, and
• wherein a stream switching rule in the second of the plurality of stream switching rules is based upon multiple measurements of network data rate over a period of time.