Dynamic quality of service (QoS) network streaming control based on content priority

摘要

A method of providing dynamic quality of service (QoS) in a streamed content distribution network, including plural source 10, 20 and receiving 40, 50, 60 devices and routing means 30, operating upon receiver request, comprises setting a priority for content to be output from a selected source device dependent on characteristics of that content stream, and determining the throughput rate of content streams from each network source based on this priority. Network priority can be lowered for content played at non real time rates, e.g. if faster than normal bit rate (fast forward, trick play). A reduced number of lower priority frames may be transmitted, or a selected source can transcode or transrate content output, reducing throughput either by reducing picture resolution or bit rate. Content stream rate may be at receiver request, such as via feedback resulting from quality reduction, e.g. in the form of lost packets or identified syntax errors. Also, source devices may set priority levels for incoming multiple content streams, lowering rates for selected incoming streams accordingly.