Reduction of Latency in Video Distribution Networks Using Adaptive Bit Rates

A tangible, computer-usable data storage medium on which is stored computer program code for instructing a computer system, that comprises at least one computing processor, to execute a method of controlling playback latency associated with transmission of source audiovisual data through an unmanaged, buffered data network, the program code comprising:

• program code for encoding the source audiovisual data into transmission audiovisual data;
• program code for transmitting the transmission audiovisual data to a client device through the data network;
• program code for calculating a delay cost function based on a network latency associated with the data network;
• and
• program code for altering the encoding of the source audiovisual data based on the calculated delay cost function.

A system for controlling playback latency associated with transmission of source audiovisual data through an unmanaged, buffered data network, the system comprising:

• an interactive application, executing on one or more computing devices, the interactive application being controlled by commands received from a client device to generate source audiovisual data;
• an encoder for encoding the source audiovisual data into transmission audiovisual data according to an encoding bitrate;
• a transmitter for transmitting the transmission audio data through the data network;
• and
• a delay cost module for calculating a delay cost function based on a network latency associated with the data network, the delay cost module calculating the encoding bitrate based on the delay cost function and providing the encoding bitrate to the encoder.