Multi-platform Simulation of Video Playout Performance

Abstract

We describe a video playout and simulation package, including (1) a multi-threaded player, which maximizes performance via asynchronous streaming and selective IO-prefetching; (2) a compositional simulator, which predicts playout performance for multiple platforms via eleven key deterministic and stochastic time-generating functions; and (3) a set of profiling tools, which allows one to extend the rang of target platforms by benchmarking new components, and converting the results into distribution functions that the simulator can access. Using this system, a developer can quickly estimate a video's performance on a wide spectrum of target platforms - without ever having to actually assemble them. (Also cross-referenced as UMIACS-TR-97-11)