ABR

Definition: Adaptive Bitrate Streaming (ABR) is a video delivery method that automatically adjusts the quality of a video stream based on the viewer's network conditions to ensure smooth playback.

Adaptive Bitrate Streaming stores videos in different bitrates.The video player on the device checks internet speed and bandwidth and select the best bitrate.

Even if your internet slows down, the video player can seamlessly switch to low bitrate. Preventing buffer and interruptions. This lets to enjoy uninterrupted video streaming regardless of your internet speed, bandwidth or whatever you're watching on.

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The definition explains what is adaptive bitrate streaming, but it’s much more than that. To get a deeper sense of it, let's break down what bitrate is.

Bitrate, or "bit rate," is the amount of data transferred or processed in a given period of time. Bitrate is measured in bits per second (BPS). Bitrate is important for the quality of any video, the higher the bitrate the better the quality, higher bitrate requires more bandwidth.

Now, that we know what bitrate is: let us talk about adaptive bitrate streaming.

What Is Adaptive Bitrate Streaming?

Imagine watching a documentary and just when it gets interesting it begins to…

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Back in the day,"buffering" was a popular term . Fast forward, and it's not stealing the spotlight anymore. Why, you ask? Certainly, it's not due to better internet connection but rather due to technological advancements like ABR.

Adaptive Bitrate Streaming or ABR provides the best quality experience for each viewer. ABR adjusts video quality based on network available and improve video streaming over HTTP networks.

Why We need adaptive bitrate streaming?

In 2023, online video had a reach of 92.3%worldwide. This year it might cross 95% who knows, content is reaching every corner of the world, like how cool is that?

An average person watches 17 hours of video every week. Audience might watch content sitting in top of a hill or maybe in the middle of nowhere.

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Unfortunately, internet connection and bandwidth isn’t the same for everyone. In light of this, it seems fair to create multiple versions of content files, doesn't it? Adaptive Bitrate (ABR) ensures the availability of different bitrate files, facilitating smooth and real-time streaming for diverse audiences. The quality of user experience becomes important in determining whether your audience returns or not.

How does adaptive bitrate streaming work?

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Video file will be prepared for ABR by encoding the file into several chunks at different bitrates and resolution. Now before the file  can be playback, the video player creates a manifest file.

A manifest file is basically a guide for the player to be able to access and switch between different video segments.

Video players start from low bitrate and then gradually changes to relevant higher bitrate according to the available network connection and bandwidth.  

Benefits of using adaptive bitrate streaming:

Better start-up experience: ABR streams begin playback with a low-bitrate stream, allowing the algorithm to determine bandwidth capacity and buffering occupancy. This allows to immediate start the stream without any wait, which helps in driving engagement

BetterMobile Streaming Experience: Over 75% of all online videos are viewed on mobile devices. Data and bandwidth limitations and low device processing capacity has made quality streaming difficult. With ABR, it possible for mobile users to stream seamlessly without buffering, even within potential limits.

What is an encoding ladder in ABR?

The different transcoded files available to the playback device is an encoding ladder, the top of the ladder are the high-bitrate and in the bottom, the low-bitrate.

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According to the available connection and bandwidth, player can shift between both higher and lower resolutions to provide a no-buffer experiences.

Here, is the different bitrate ladder for resolution followed by Netflix.

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