Revolutionizing Video Streaming: The Rise of Content-Aware Encoding and the Impact of the Optimizer Framework

The surge in video streaming, driven by the demand for anytime, multi-device access, has escalated bandwidth use and costs for service providers. To combat this, they are adopting content-aware encoding (CAE), which reduces bitrates and improves video quality, proving crucial in the industry. Additionally, the video industry has evolved from per-title to sophisticated CAE methods, including real-time network traffic-based systems, enhancing Advanced Video Coding (AVC) usability. Newer codecs like HEVC and AV1 are now supplanting AVC, with service providers exploring CAE and Content Adaptive Streaming (CAS) to further optimize bandwidth and video quality. The Optimizer is an advanced Content-Aware Encoding (CAE) framework that enhances video streaming services. Utilizing dynamic coding technology, it efficiently reduces bitrates while maintaining or improving video quality for live streaming and VoD services. The framework employs a machine learning-based approach for one-pass encoder parameter prediction, optimizing settings like constant rate factor and reference frames. Its real-time feedback mechanism adapts encoder settings based on scene analysis and quality metrics. Tested on a diverse video database, the Optimizer significantly lowers bitrates, up to 70%, ensuring high-quality streaming with proven stability in industrial applications.