Resource allocation for variable bit rate video

We address the issue of codec and network resource allocation for variable bit rate video. An understanding of video buffer management and network multiplexing strategies is required. Resource allocation for the encoder and network have conflicting requirements. To minimise end-to-end delay the encoder requires an unconstrained channel to avoid buffering required to satisfy a channel constraint. To simplify provisioning in a network multiplexer only cell scale congestion, as in constant bit rate systems, should be used. The relationship between the encoder and decoder buffers are reviewed. Cell scale and burst scale congestion in a multiplexer are discussed. A simulation is performed to examine regions of multiplexer operation that constrain the multiplexer delay and which are insensitive to the video source characteristics. We are interested in coded video on both cell and packet networks.