Fuzzy Joint Encoding and Statistical Multiplexing of Multiple Video Sources with Independent Quality of Services for Streaming over DVB-H

A joint video encoding and statistical multiplexing (StatMux) method for broadcasting over DVB-H (digital video broadcasting for handhelds) channels is proposed to decrease the channel changing delay. DVB-H uses a time-sliced transmission scheme to reduce the power consumption used for radio reception in DVB-H receivers. Channel changing delay, i.e. changing from one audio-visual service to another, increases due to the time slicing scheme in DVB-H. The proposed method decreases the buffering delay as a part of channel changing delay by dynamically distribution of available bandwidth between the video sources according to their temporal bit rates. Moreover, the proposed method in combination with the time-slicing decreases the overall channel changing delay by other means.