Method for transferring video segments, client entity and proxy entity realizing such a method

摘要

Method for providing video segments to a client entity (C) from a proxy entity (P), using a request-response protocol, each video segment being available at a server entity as a plurality of encoded video segments encoded according to respective quality levels. The method includes the steps of :
- the client entity (C) selecting one quality level of the respective quality levels,
- the client entity (C) sending out information related to that one quality level and a request to transfer to it encoded segments encoded in accordance with that information,
- the proxy entity (P) receiving the information related to the one quality level and the request to transfer to it encoded segments encoded in accordance with that information and determining an alternative quality level based on the one segment quality and on local criteria such as, but not limited to the quality level according to which encoded segments stored by the proxy entity (P) are encoded or to a transfer time needed to transfer video segments from the proxy entity (P) to the client entity (C) or to profile information of the client entity (C) or any combination thereof,
- and the proxy entity sending alternative encoded segments encoded according to an encoding quality level related to the alternative quality level to the client entity.