This document outlines a study on resolving latency problems when streaming online videos through broadband, wireless, and mobile networks. The study aims to find cost-effective hardware or software solutions to reduce latency and the amount of data packets required for streaming. Potential causes of latency are identified as bandwidth restrictions, traffic congestion, and the high data needs of high-quality videos. Current industry practices like reducing video quality are noted. The proposed solution aims to retain video quality while restricting data available for streaming through video codec experimentation and inexpensive hardware. The scope and methodology, including experimentation and questionnaires, are described.

1. Study on resolving latency problems when
streaming online videos through broadband,
wireless and Mobile Communication networks.
By : Tan Choon Yong

2. Hypothesis
• To Come up with alternative solutions to solve latency issues
when streaming online videos through the following
methods :
• Cost effective alternative hardware or software solutions to
reduce latency issues.
• Reduce the amount of data packets required to stream online
videos.

3. Problems
• Most latency issues faced in streaming online videos are
caused by the following factors :
• Bandwidth Restrictions based on the following:
• Subscription Plans by ISP ( Internet Service Provider ).
• Subscribers ability to afford paying more for more
bandwidths.
• High Traffic Congestion if a lot of online users are
concurrently accessing the video at the same time.
• High data packets required to stream good quality videos
in real-time without delay especially when streaming
DVD Quality videos.

4. Solutions
• Current industry practices as follow :
• Reducing aspect ratio and frame rates of video.
• Uses expensive hardware for following purposes :
• Reduce latency issues during playback.
• Reduce buffering time before video start playing.
• Restricted the amount of time, each user can accessed the
video.
• Proposed Solution :
• Retain video aspect ratios and Frame rates.
• Restricted the amount of data available for video for
streaming through experimenting various setting
configurations within video codecs.
• Reduce buffering times using inexpensive hardware solutions.

5. Scope Statement
• In Scope :
• MP4 & FLV Video format will be the primarily format for
streaming the online video.
• Video will be encoded into two of the following quality at a bit
rate of 256kbps :
• 1) High Quality ( 720 X 576 Aspect ) @48khz
• 2) Low Quality ( 320 X 240 Aspect ) @48khz
• All Videos for streaming will be recorded on a video camera.
• Experiment will be conducted in two ways :
• 1) A room with network connectivity
• 2) Email with a link to the video for streaming and an attached
questionnaire after watching the video.

6. Scope Statement
• Out of Scope :
• No control Over Bandwidth limits Standard set by Internet
Service Providers.
• No control over the speed when streaming videos on mobile
network Standard set by the telecom providers.
• No control of how many users accessing the video at a given
period of time.
• Restricted Room Size.

7. Weightage for Research
• 60% on Deskwork due to the following reason :
• Amount of hours spent on research are longer than fieldwork.
• Taking at least 7 to 14 days before commencing experiment.
• 40% on Fieldwork due to the following reason:
• A small experiment that require a day or two to test out
findings from my research to use in the experiment.
• Gain feedbacks from audiences of their experience with the
experiment and improvise further.

8. Research Methodology
Experiment
Questionnaire Analyze , Review & Research
Experiment Purpose :
-To Experiment Findings from Research to a group of Audiences.

9. Research Methodology
Experiment
Questionnaire Analyze , Review & Research
Questionnaire Purpose :
-To Gain Feedbacks from audiences to improvise on experiment

10. Research Methodology
Experiment
Questionnaire Analyze , Review & Research
Analyze , Review and Research Purpose :
-To improvise experiment further through data derived from responses by audiences.
-With these responses , identify key points to research even further to improve on
experiment.

11. Research Methodology
Experiment
Questionnaire Analyze , Review & Research

12. Project Management :WBS
• Experiment Section:
• Pre-Production Phase (Recording Video Samples) – 1 Day
• Finding materials for recording video samples for experiment.
(2 Hours)
• Troubleshooting of equipment to make sure equipment in
tiptop condition. (4 Hours)
• Prepare an item list of equipment preparing for shooting. (1
Hour)
• Deciding on format of storage for recorded videos: (1 Hour)
• a) Hard Disk
• b) Tape
• c) Memory Storage (CF, SD Cards, etc.)
#1 Milestone

13. Project Management :WBS
• Production Phase (Recording Video Samples). – 1 Day
• Make sure the white balance setting of the environment being
recorded is accurate. (1 Hour)
• Sound Level of recording to be at least -2db. (1 Hour)
• Make sure the recording button function properly. (1 Hour)
• Make Sure that all materials recorded are in the recorded
media after the recording session. (1 Hour)
#2 Milestone

14. Project Management :WBS
• Post Production Phase. –Day 1
• Make any adjustment if necessary for the recorded video
samples. (1 Hour)
• Convert the video into the standards specified in the scope
statement. (2 Hours)
• Upload the Videos to YouTube. (2 Hours)
• Pilot and simulate the experiment personally. (This is to make
sure the require standards are reach before testing on the
audiences):
• Videos are the right format and able to play on any browser in
the market. (1 Hour)
• Videos are encoded with the right parameters intended for
the experiment. (2 Hour)
#3 Milestone

15. Project Management :WBS
• Post Production Phase. – Day 2
• The room to use for the testing must have the following
connections: (4 Hour)
• Cable Connection ( Network Cable Point or Modem ).
• Wireless Connection
• 3G Connection
• Test to make sure all these connections as mentioned above
to be in working condition. (1 Hour)
• Arrange and Schedule a date to simulate the experiment on
the audiences and to obtain feedbacks by passing the
questionnaire for the audiences to fill in. (1 Hour)
#4 Milestone

16. Project Management :WBS
• Review, Analysis and Research Section:
• Review and Analysis Phase: 1 Week
• Reviewing feedbacks derived from questionnaire. (1 Day)
• Create data derived from questionnaire into illustration
graphs like pie chart to analyze improvement on experiment
conducted. (2 Days)
• Do a comparison of data derived from questionnaire against
the “ idea model “. (2 Days)
• List down things to improve on for the experiment. (2 Days)
#5 Milestone

17. Project Management :WBS
• Research Phase: - 2 Week
• Identify possible reasons and causes of latency in online video
as mentioned in hypothesis. (2 Days)
• Identify Case Studies relevant to my research study. (4 Days)
• Identify key points in case studies reference that can be useful
in improving my experiment. (4 Days)
• Identify relevant key points to research based on data
acquired from questionnaire. ( 2 Days )
#6 Milestone

18. Project Management :Gantt Chart

19. A Sample of Questionnaire for
Experiment.
• file://localhost/Users/tchoonyong/SkyDrive/Documents/Research Folder

20. Literacy Sources
• Case Studies references:
• Falik, Y., A. Averbuch, and U. Yechiali. 2010. Transmission algorithm for video streaming over
cellular networks. Wireless Networks 16, no. 5, (July 1): 1459-1475.
http://www.proquest.com.libproxy.nlb.gov.sg/ (accessed March 19, 2012).
• Ji-An Zhao, Bo Li, Chi-Wah Kok, and Ishfaq Ahmad. 2004. MPEG-4 Video Transmission over
Wireless Networks: A Link Level Performance Study. Wireless
Networks 10, no. 2, (March 1): 133-146. http://www.proquest.com.libproxy.nlb.gov.sg/ (accessed
April 24, 2012).
• Li, Y., and K. Ong. 2009. Optimized scalable cache management for video streaming
system. Multimedia Tools and Applications 44, no. 1, (August 1): 65-86.
http://www.proquest.com.libproxy.nlb.gov.sg/ (accessed March 19, 2012).
• Ozgur Ercetin. 2007. Efficient multimedia packet forwarding for multihomed users in wireless
LANs. Telecommunication Systems 34, no. 3-4, (April 1): 133-145.
http://www.proquest.com.libproxy.nlb.gov.sg/ (accessed March 19, 2012).
• Yuen, J., E. Chan, and K. Lam. 2006. A buffered-bandwidth approach for supporting real-time
video streaming over cellular networks. Multimedia Tools and
Applications 28, no. 2, (February 1): 141-155.
http://www.proquest.com.libproxy.nlb.gov.sg/ (accessed April 20, 2012).

21. Thank You For Your
Attention.