Taking advantage of distributed multicast video to deliver and manipulate television

Abstract

Protocols exist to scalably multicast data to any number of clients. Scalability problems exist because some systems unacceptably increase the load on the server as more clients are added. Scalability can be achieved by hierarchically partitioning the network and by handling error correction between clients. One application for network multicasting is the distribution of video in the same way that television is delivered, replacing the standard antenna or cable service with a digital network using IP. However, clients using multicast implementations, such as the Scalable Media Delivery System, are not equipped to handle display of video in real time. Flaws in the current multicast implementation are identified, and methods of optimization are explored and tested for effectiveness. These optimizations will allow video to be displayed in real time over a network and to appear to the end-user to act like a cable TV system. Accessing the video on clients is done with an innovative interface that allows the user to "carry" the video with him as he travels to different physical locations in the network.