DATENÜBERTRAGUNG

摘要

The invention involves a refinement to conventional data transmission over packet networks (e.g. IP). Conventionally, multimedia streaming systems use either a reliable protocol (e.g. TCP) or an unreliable protocol (e.g. UDP) for the media transmission. Each method has its own benefits. Using a reliable protocol ensures that all the packets arrive at the receiver, but this does require more bandwidth due to protocol overheads and it introduces more delay. An unreliable protocol is lightweight and faster although the data stream may be subjected to packet loss. In the present invention a combination of both protocols is used, where an unreliable protocol is employed initially followed by a reliable protocol at the end of the media clip. The unreliable protocol is used for the low delay transmission of packets while the reliable protocol at the end is used for the transmission of packets that were initially lost.