2024 Accelerator Project

Project Challenge Proposed by: Comcast 

Supported by Champions: Comcast, BT Media & Broadcast, AP (Associated Press)  

Participants: Videoclarity, Castlabs, Ateme and others (TBC) 

Proposed by Champion Comcast, this project seeks to achieve Twitter-equivalent latency and near-instant playback start using standard HTTP streaming technical stack and infrastructure. The areas explored will be the use of low-latency encoding and segment-based ingest, the latest low-delay extensions to MPEG DASH, and possible uses of MV-HEVC video codec and the QUIC protocol.  

The goal of the POC is to explore an end-to-end system comprising an encoder, a latency-optimized origin, and a mix of open source and proprietary DASH players. In addition, the innovation would be the achievement of Sub-2s glass-to-glass delay with standard adaptive streaming, which will allow premium sports experiences. 

The technical solution for the project aims to achieve (at high level):  

• Social media equivalent end-to-end delay  

• 1 sec inspirational  

• 2 sec acceptable  

• Betting-grade synchronization  

• -45ms … 125 msec inspirational   

• ± 250 msec acceptable  

• Good performance in lossy WiFi networks  

• Does not fall apart at and above 70dBm  

• Compatibility with current HAS infrastructure  

• Full compatibility: DASH / LL-DASH   

• Segment-level compatibility: HLS / LL-HLS  

• Support for non-conditioned advert insertion 

Watch the Scalable Ultra-Low Latency Streaming for Premium Sports Challenge Pitch: