METHODS AND APPARATUS OF ENCODING REAL TIME MEDIA CONTENT

摘要

Methods, apparatus and systems of parallel encoding and publishing media content in a plurality of encoded formats. One exemplary embodiment includes the steps of receiving at least a first portion of a first content stream; communicating the first portion of the stream to a plurality of encoders including a first through Nth encoder, operating said first through Nth encoders in parallel to perform different encoding operations in real time to generate first through Nth encoded versions of said first portion of content; monitoring the encoding status of each of the first through Nth encoders; determining when at least the first through Nth encoders are done processing the first portion of the stream, and publishing, in response to determining that the first through Nth encoders are done processing the first portion of the stream, at the same time, the successfully encoded versions of the first portion of the stream.

主权项

1. A method of encoding and distributing real time media content, the method comprising:
receiving, at a content processing device at least a first portion of a first content stream; communicating the first portion of the content stream to a plurality of encoders including a first through Nth encoder, where N is an integer value greater than one, said first portion being one of a plurality of portions in said first content stream; operating said first through Nth encoders in parallel to perform different encoding operations in real time to generate first through Nth encoded versions of said first portion of content, respectively, each of the first through Nth encoded versions of said first content portion being different with respect to at least one of an encoding standard, content format, resolution or data rate to which the encoded version corresponds; monitoring the encoding status of each of the first through Nth encoders to determine completion of encoding of the first portion of the content stream by the first through Nth encoders or failure of one or more of the N encoders with regard to encoding said first portion of the first content stream; determining when at least the first through Nth encoders are done processing the first portion of the first content stream, said determining including determining on an individual per encoder basis whether the individual encoder has successfully completed encoding of the first portion of the first content stream or has encountered a failure with regard to encoding said first portion of the first content stream; and publishing, in response to determining that at least the first through Nth encoders are done processing the first portion of the content stream, at the same time, the successfully encoded versions of the first portion of the content stream.