Multimedia data broadcasting strategies

Data broadcasting in support of multimedia applications requires efficient use of bandwidth resources in order to maximize the availability of playout content. A broadcast architecture has been specified by the Digital Video Broadcasting consortium to allow service providers to multiplex data, using various protocols, into an MPEG-2 transport stream. This architecture, however, has not specified how to optimize the use of the broadcast channel. This article discusses certain strategies, based on test and measurement, that have been implemented to maximize the use of the broadcast channel (satellite and cable) for supporting multimedia applications.