DVEO tackles streaming video packet loss, awarded patent for its automatic repeat request algorithm

Add DVEO to the list of vendors looking to improve the quality of IP-based video: the company has been awarded a patent for an algorithm that automatically corrects for UDP (user datagram protocol) packet loss when a file is being streamed over a less-reliable network such as the public internet or, more importantly to the developing online video world, wireless networks.

The product to which the algorithm belongs is its DOZER Selective Repeat ARQ (automatic repeat request) software. So named because the technology "bulldozes" streaming video through congested IP routers, according to the company, the product can be used in a number of situations.

"We have edge case customers in the U.S. who use DOZER technology to stream video content live from countries such as Bangladesh, Colombia, South Korea, Greece and Iraq with no packet loss or video freezes," said Lazlo Zoltan, DVEO's vice president. Doing so can remove or reduce the need for satellite data transmission, the company said.

"The DOZER layer 2 technology also provides advantages to companies building file transfer software applications, VOIP appliances, or managed or conditioned lines and networks," Zoltan added. "We have many customers who use DOZER technology to ingest content to their head ends reliably and cost effectively via a great variety of existing encoders. Most interestingly DOZER ARQ technology can provide great value even over provisioned dedicated lines where TCP traffic can cause occasional packet loss."

According to DVEO, the Selective Repeat ARQ software works efficiently because "Unlike FEC protocols, it only sends extra data when packet loss is detected by the DOZER technology equipped receiver and reported to the DOZER technology equipped sender."

DVEO will license the latest software for use in consumer devices, noting that in addition to its own standalone version, it can be integrated with third-party devices. Its DOZER line has been on the market for a couple of years now, and the tech is optional in DVEO's own encoders and transcoders, media servers and receivers.

Getting quality video to consumers continues to be a driving issue for the OTT industry. Netflix, for example, set off a media storm when it revealed that it was deliberately setting streaming rates to devices on mobile networks at 600 kbps. It did so to both preserve the viewability of its videos on mobile networks, and help customers keep their data plan usage under control.

While DVEO's updated tech may not do much for preserving data plans, it does speak to the vendor's focus on making sure video is viewable on the end device regardless of the last-mile network serving video to that device.

For more:
- see the release

Special report: The quality conundrum: Data drives OTT improvement, but lack of standards is a problem

Related articles:
Netflix's revelation about mobile streaming sets off net neutrality watchdogs on both sides
Live streaming latency: As Super Bowl preps its largest live stream ever, the OTT industry scurries to catch up to broadcast
Google to extend video quality of service insights to mobile