Improving scalable video delivery with cross-layer design

The layered H.264/SVC video format, which is currently under standardization, allows scalable encoding and, thus, creates new opportunities for video delivery in a unified manner. However, video streaming over different wireless access technologies (from WLAN to WiMAX to 3G WWANs) remains challenging. After briefly introducing the issues at hand, we present a crosslayer architecture developed within the EU IST PHOENIX project, which jointly optimizes source and channel rates aiming at maximizing wireless link utilization and improving the userperceived video quality. Our proposal capitalizes on recent advances in scalable, layered video encoding and provides a platform for future development