Multi-point 4K/2K layered video streaming for remote collaboration

The progress of technologies in image industries and the rapid spread of broadband networks allow us to put high quality video communications to use for remote collaboration. We have developed a 4K/2K layered video streaming system with JPEG 2000 codec. It offers three main advances; support of various video formats to realize a media exchange platform, 4K/2K layered streaming with multicast to utilize 4K images even if the environment has no 4K equipment, and robust transmission using a forward error correction (FEC) scheme that can deal with bandwidths beyond 800 Mbit/s. Using the system, we conducted the world’s first multi-point “shared collaborative space” experiment with a large audience in CineGrid International Workshop 2008. It proved the feasibility of the new environment for 4K remote collaboration between multiple points including those that did not have 4K equipment. This paper details the system and implemented technologies.

Research highlights
► We developed the 4K/2K layered streaming system with JPEG 2000 codec.
► 4K images can be fully utilized even without 4K equipment by layered multicasting.
► We employed LDGM codes for packet level FEC to deal with over 800 Mbit/s traffic.
► We demonstrated the world’s first “shared collaborative space” with 4K/2K images.