A peer-to-peer video-on-demand system using multiple description coding and server diversity

We propose a video streaming system that uses many ordinary computers (peers) as servers, which is less costly and more scalable than using a single or a few dedicated servers. To circumvent frequent peer disconnects and limited peer up-link bandwidth, each video is coded into multiple descriptions, which are distributed over multiple peers. The system serves a client request by streaming multiple descriptions of the requested video from separate peers. Using the MD-FEC coding scheme, and simple models for peer disconnects, reconnects and for searching replacement serving peers after a peer disconnect, we simulated video streaming in such a system. Our results show significant benefits in using a large number of descriptions and serving peers.