A Live Broadcast 4K Television System Utilizing the MPEG-DASH Adaptive Bit Rate Protocol and Internet Technologies The Harvard community has made this article openly available. Please share how this access benefits you. Your story matters Citation Bresnahan, Brian Patrick. 2018. A Live Broadcast 4K Television System Utilizing the MPEG-DASH Adaptive Bit Rate Protocol and Internet Technologies. Master's thesis, Harvard Extension School. Citable link https://nrs.harvard.edu/URN-3:HUL.INSTREPOS:37364545 Terms of Use This article was downloaded from Harvard University’s DASH repository, and is made available under the terms and conditions applicable to Other Posted Material, as set forth at http:// nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:dash.current.terms-of- use#LAA A Live Broadcast 4K Television System Utilizing the MPEG-DASH Adaptive Bit Rate Protocol and Internet Technologies Brian Patrick Bresnahan A Thesis in the Field of Software Engineering for the Degree of Master of Liberal Arts in Extension Studies Harvard University May 2018 Copyright © 2018 Brian Patrick Bresnahan Abstract This thesis proposes that an alternative to the existing cable television system could be created using the MPEG-DASH protocol (Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP) and other readily available internet technologies including web servers and content delivery networks (CDN). MPEG-DASH is a relatively new client-server protocol used for video streaming that leverages existing web server, file storage, and codec technology. The alternative television system proposed would be capable of streaming 4K resolution high-definition video using MPEG-DASH. MPEG-DASH is capable of interoperating with numerous streaming devices such as smartphones, smart TVs, and streaming devices such as Google Chromecast. Transmitting live TV using MPEG-DASH over a packetized IP network would be more effective at reaching more device types. In addition, the MPEG- DASH protocol is designed to use the highest possible video resolution based on dynamic network analysis. Thus, with MPEG-DASH the user enjoys the best possible picture and sound on more devices. The current methods of broadcasting high-definition television over-the-air and on wire-based cable TV networks are efficient for service providers but require an RF tuner or set-top-box to allow the user to view a broadcast. The proposal reduces the number of RF tuners required in the television system. Although the alternative television system would require a transition from a broadcast system to a unicast system and unicast systems require more network bandwidth, current trends in internet bandwidth growth at the edge of the internet should make it feasible. The first goal of the thesis is to explore the feasibility, practicality, and scalability of this alternative MPEG- DASH television system. The second goal is to design and develop a working prototype of the server side of the system. Dedication This thesis is dedicated firstly to my wife, Michelle, for helping me in so many ways during my ALM degree endeavor. Your support while we raised children, worked and studied made it all possible. Thank you for listening. You are my rock. This thesis is dedicated secondly to my children, Ian and Owen. Our discussions about science, the universe, mathematics, chemistry, and physics are a bright spot in my life. You inspire me. I strive to inspire you. This thesis is dedicated thirdly to my deceased mother, Yvonne. You earned a Psychology degree while raising four children and now I know how difficult that was. You took me to a Boston Computer Society show when I was a teenager and fed my computer curiosity. Thank you for letting me roam Geisel library when I was fifteen, where I found a book on Basic programming, saw a program for temperature conversion and the hair on the back of my neck stood up. Lastly, this thesis is dedicated to my mother’s parents, Alvine and Harry Gahagan, for being there when we needed them and for teaching us the value of hard work. Pepere, your basement workbench was my first exposure to a soldering iron, resistor color bands, an oscilloscope and the great mystery of a television with its cover removed. v Acknowledgments I would like to acknowledge the fine assistance of Dr. James L. Frankel throughout my thesis process. Professor, your comments and keen insights helped immeasurably during the exploration, software development, writing, and review stages. You are a true educator. I feel that you have imparted to me better technical judgment, the patience to question observations, and an appreciation for the diligent research of others. Your computer architecture course was both challenging and inspirational. When you walked into class one night with a piece of core memory, I knew you were cool. I would like to thank Dr. Jeff Parker for being my thesis research advisor. Professor, our lively discussions helped considerably in deciding on the feasibility of my topic. I would also like to thank my old friend Todd Tiberi, Esq., for assisting with the review of the thesis. vi Table of Contents Abstract .............................................................................................................................. iii Dedication ............................................................................................................................v Acknowledgments.............................................................................................................. vi List of Tables .................................................................................................................... xii List of Figures .................................................................................................................. xiii List of Equations .............................................................................................................. xvi Chapter 1. Introduction ..................................................................................................1 1.1 Motivation and Goals ...................................................................................1 1.2 Thesis Outline ..............................................................................................2 Chapter 2. Background ..................................................................................................4 2.1 Terminology: Bandwidth, Bit Rate, and Throughput ..................................4 2.2 Television Signaling Methods .....................................................................5 2.2.1 Over-the-Air Broadcasts ..................................................................5 2.2.2 Cable Television System..................................................................8 2.3 Video Streaming Evolution........................................................................10 2.4 MPEG-DASH Protocol Overview .............................................................11 2.5 Bandwidth Requirements and Codecs .......................................................13 2.5.1 MPEG-DASH and Codecs .............................................................17 2.6 DASH Adaptive Bit Rate Algorithms........................................................17 2.6.1 Adaptive Bit Rate Algorithm Research .........................................19 2.7 DASH Network Component Details ..........................................................21 2.8 DASH Streaming Data Model Details .......................................................24 vii 2.8.1 Media Presentation Timeline .........................................................24 2.8.2 Media Presentation Description File ..............................................27 2.8.2.1 Example of Method 2 ......................................................28 2.8.2.2 Example of Method 3 ......................................................29 2.9 Trick Mode Play ........................................................................................30 2.10 Digital Rights Management .......................................................................31 Chapter 3. Prior Academic Research ...........................................................................36 3.1 GPAC – Project on Advanced Content ......................................................36 3.2 Moscow State University ...........................................................................36 3.3 Theses and Papers ......................................................................................37 Chapter 4. Industry Development of DASH ...............................................................40 4.1 DASH Industry Forum ...............................................................................40 4.2 Google and Chromecast .............................................................................40 4.3 Roku ...........................................................................................................44 4.4 Embedded in Televisions ...........................................................................45 4.5 Bitmovin ....................................................................................................45 4.6 Akamai .......................................................................................................46 4.7 Periscope and YouTube LiveStream .........................................................46 Chapter 5. A DASH Based Television System ...........................................................47 5.1 Applying DASH to the Television System ................................................47