Video coding

Video coding is the process of acquiring large amounts of information from a video camera, compressing it for transport and expanding it after transporting it. Magor TeleCollaboration uses a codec-agnostic peer-to-peer video architecture called SVC++. SVC++ enables robust, independent encoding control of 1080p resolution video at each endpoint and to deliver the visual detail required for natural collaboration. It uses flexible pre-video compression processes that can adapt in real time to varying network conditions and end-user behavior.

SVC++

In essence, SVC++ makes Magor TeleCollaboration a good network citizen, enabling it to provide transparent network access to other applications, while delivering error-free HD video. To achieve this, SVC++ combines the following to deliver a dynamic pre-encoding process:

  • Segmentation, which partitions the video into segments based on the characteristics of the video content and applies a separate codec to each segment to ensure that motion and detail are appropriately encoded.
  • Scalability, which on a link-by-link basis scales the number of rendered pixels to match available network resources.
  • Adaptation, which dynamically lowers and raises video quality, resolution and frame rate of the video stream, in real time, to seamlessly optimize the key areas of the picture to respond to changing network conditions.

This powerful combination allows Magor TeleCollaboration to send independent pieces of video to multiple video encoders that use the H.264 Advanced Video Coding (AVC) High Profile (HiP) standard codec. Because each section of video is handled separately, every endpoint has the flexibility to dynamically adapt encoding processes to deliver the best visual experience.

Magor TeleCollaboration interoperates with H.264 AVC HiP today and will interoperate with emerging H.264 SVC implementations when they become standardized. However, it is important to note that Magor SVC++ segments the spatially scalable layers of video without lowering the resolution of the entire video stream. This means it can adapt to a specific segment while maintaining high resolution on all other segments.

Transmitting video — particularly 1080p resolution video — requires enough bandwidth to send large bursts of data when needed. This can significantly impact the performance of other applications running on the network and often requires engineering of the network. If the available bandwidth is constrained when a data burst is sent, the picture quality can also be reduced.

Magor TeleCollaboration does not send large bursts of data. Instead, by using SVC++, Magor TeleCollaboration manages the video to spread the data over time and reduces the size of the bursts considerably without introducing delay. Along with helping to ensure a continuously high-quality image, this innovative technique allows Magor TeleCollaboration to be used over best-effort networks, such as the Internet.