Adaptive bit rate (ABR) streaming with server side adaptation

A device for providing adaptive bit rate (ABR) streaming, the device comprising:

• a first transcoder configured to transcode a video stream based at least in part on at least one encoding characteristic to generate a first transcoded video stream;
• a network monitor configured to monitor network conditions including a network bandwidth of a network;
• an adjustment module configured to cause the first transcoder to adjust the at least one encoding characteristic in response to a change in the network conditions;
• an advertising module configured to advertise to a client device an ABR profile that corresponds to the first transcoded video stream, wherein the advertising module updates the advertised ABR profile when the at least one encoding characteristic is adjusted;
• and
• a network interface configured to transmit segments of the first transcoded video stream to the client device via the network in response to requests therefor.

A system for providing adaptive bit rate (ABR) streaming, the system comprising:

• memory configured to store one or more program modules;
• one or more processors coupled to the memory and configured to execute the one or more program modules to:
• transcode, at an ABR server, a video stream and generate a transcoded video stream;
• monitor network conditions including a network bandwidth of a network;
• adjust at least one characteristic of the transcoded video stream in response to a change in the network conditions;
• advertise an ABR profile corresponding to the transcoded video stream to a client device;
• and
• transmit segments of the transcoded video stream to the client device via the network in response to requests therefor, wherein a first encoding characteristic of a first segment transmitted to the client device differs from a second encoding characteristic of a second segment transmitted to the client device.