Goran Miljkovic

Google's android as an application environment for DTV decoder system

This paper presents an approach of using Googles Android software stack as an application environment for digital television (DTV) sets and set-top boxes. Expanding Android software stack to support DTV decoder devices and developing universal TV and set-top box applications for Android environment enables rapid software development and shorter release time for next generation products. Paper describes the process of porting complete Android software stack (Android Linux kernel, system drivers, user space libraries, Android specific libraries and programs) to a DTV decoder platform with Linux kernel and available stable device drivers; implementation of extensions to support DTV channel search, memorizing, playback and recording. Performance and features of final system will be presented.

Evaluation of adaptive streaming algorithms over HTTP

In order to guarantee the best user experience throughout different network access technologies with dynamically varying network conditions, it is fundamental to adopt new technologies enabling a proper reception of the multimedia content. In this paper we implemented a prototype of streaming client, based on the MPEG DASH standard. We experimentally evaluated three adaptive streaming algorithms proposed by different authors in order to answer the following questions: (i) how fast is the reaction time to bandwidths changes? (ii) algorithm behavior on a highly unstable network conditions and (iii) buffer underrun/overflow. We identify differences, inefficiencies and possible improvements.

Scriptable graphical user interface engine for embedded platforms

This paper describes an implementation of graphical user interface (GUI) engine for cost-effective embedded platforms like digital TV receivers and set top boxes. The software architecture of the solution and tool selection was driven by the hardware capabilities and target platform limitations. The specific way of utilizing Lua and Lua bindings for implementation of scripting mechanism in such environment is described.

DTV linux device abstraction for embeded systems

This paper presents an approach to create Linux Device Driver Framework which will be used for representation and control of DTV related HW components found in Set-top boxes (STB) and TV sets (iDTV). During previous years LinuxTV was established as promising architecture for PC TV cards, but from the announcement of Linux DVB API v3 there was no progress toward embedded systems. Therefore, attempt is made to improve and replace existing Linux DVB paradigm, and to introduce concepts applicable and optimized for embedded systems. Layered SW architecture is developed, which simplifies Kernel Drivers development, and export well defined APIs to user space applications.

Second screen user experience: A new digital television frontier

Availability and increased hardware performance of handheld devices with high resolution screens encourage users to exploit them as the second screen while watching television. Second screen is a term that refers to an additional screen of a handheld device such as a tablet or a smart phone, with an operating system capable of running desired installed applications. Desire to make additional DTV information available to the user which can be presented on the second screen tends to push the limit of digital television in that direction. This paper presents a framework to distribute and present both premium and free-to-air television content. The framework is based on server/client architecture and includes: TV remote control, streaming of television services, additional content (Electronic Program Guide, reminders...), data protection of streamed services to client devices. The system architecture consists of a media server and its clients. Media server is a Set-Top box with Android OS. Main duty of media server is to receive and process DTV content received from broadcasters and distribute the content to clients (second screen devices). Client application is developed on various OS/Platforms: Android and iOS. Multimedia content can be streamed using supported protocols: HTTP, RTP/RTSP, and adaptive streaming protocols (HLS and MPEG-DASH). Streamed content is protected using DTCP-IP. The main objective of the paper is to describe the utilization of before mentioned standards in a framework to use the DTV data and functions beyond the scope of the main TV screen. The client application also implements the remote controller GUI in order to use one device to control the TV.

Advanced rate adaptation algorithm in video streaming over HTTP

In order to guarantee the best user experience throughout different network access technologies with dynamically varying network conditions, it is fundamental to enable proper reception of the multimedia content. To overcome the limitations/deficiencies of evaluated adaptive streaming algorithms (such as slow rate adaptation at stable network conditions), we propose an Advanced Rate Adaptation algorithm (ARA, in the following text) and test it under various network scenarios. The algorithm is implemented as a part of the MPEG DASH compliant client.

Cloud enhanced smart home technologies

Cloud computing is making its way towards use at home. This paper presents a cloud for smart home. We present review of technologies for smart home and give an integrated cloud-based energy- and carbon-efficient architecture.

Software architecture of light PVR engine

This paper presents efficient software architecture for a PVR application which is capable of simultaneous recording and playback of HD quality MPEG-2 and AVC streams from DVB and ATSC networks. Presented approach provides scalable software architecture portable on low cost HW platforms with optional CA protection, thus providing end user with advanced features found in high-end devices such as: pauses, instant reply, skip, and fast forward/rewind.

A proposal for a multi-format streaming server framework

This paper presents a proposition for design and realization of a multi-format streaming server framework. Building blocks required to implement this framework are identified, and their implementation described using existing technologies and protocols. Presented framework addresses the problems surrounding the distribution of Digital Television (DTV), as well as local media content, to a wide array of second screen devices (e.g. mobile devices, such as tablets or smartphones). The paper also includes a brief description and interaction analysis of protocols used for aforementioned media content discovery, control and out-of-band transfer.

One Implementation of Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP

This paper describes one implementation of adaptive streaming over HTTP for Android based DTV platform. We have proposed a software solution that enables full adaptive streaming over HTTP protocol. The proposition includes two key standards to be implemented: HTTP Live Streaming and MPEG DASH (Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP). The focus is on implementation of modular architecture that enables adaptive streaming using basic adaptation algorithms leaving a simple interface for integration of advanced adaptation algorithms.