Large scale experiments on low bit rate multimedia broadcast

Abstract

This paper contains our experience with low bit rate multimedia streaming and broadcast, as applied to the Internet/Intranet, and focuses on two of the enabling technologies: 100% Java clients and broadcast reflectors. Interpreted Java is slower than compiled C/C++ and Java platforms do not currently support video and audio synchronization. Various techniques to improve Java performance and to reduce code size are provided in detail. A novel video and audio synchronization mechanism for the pure Java environment is devised and investigated. This paper also describes a hierarchical reflector network architecture which, superimposed on the Internet, is a practical alternative for broadcasting of events to massive client audiences when multicast support of such audiences in the current Internet is questionable and remains untested.