Hierarchical video distribution over Internet-style networks

IP-based networks such as the Internet traverse paths of widely ranging bandwidths and load factors. Several investigators have proposed the use of hierarchical video as a solution for dissemination of video across heterogeneous networks of this sort. In particular, such approaches avoid some the "least common denominator" problems inherent in single-layer heterogeneous multicast. We describe an experimental video delivery system that makes use of several new Internet technologies such as the resource reservation protocol (RSVP), integrated services (IntServ), the realtime transport protocol (RTF) and the IP multicast to control the dissemination of a hierarchical media streams across heterogeneous IP multicast networks.