Yoann Hinard, COO at Witbe, looks at how AI has the potential to transform the video industry in various ways, including real-time video quality evaluation and third-party app performance testing, ensuring that users enjoy uninterrupted and flawless streaming experiences
By Contributor
Published: November 30, 2023
Yoann Hinard, COO at Witbe, looks at how AI has the potential to transform the video industry in various ways, including real-time video quality evaluation and third-party app performance testing, ensuring that users enjoy uninterrupted and flawless streaming experiences
target=_blank title=Share on LinkedIn class=share-linkedin>
In today's digital media landscape, audiences have come to expect nothing less than flawless streaming experiences. As a result, the highest priority for content and service providers is the delivery of pristine video quality. To meet their customers' discerning expectations, it's imperative to conduct regular testing to assess and enhance the quality of video streams. Artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a powerful tool in delivering this capability.
However, while AI has already made significant strides in ensuring exceptional video quality for content providers like Netflix and Hulu, its full potential has yet to be fully harnessed for service providers that deliver linear TV and offer over-the-top apps on their set-top boxes (STBs).
The role of machine learning neural networks Currently, the predominant AI technology being employed for assessing video quality is machine learning (ML) neural networks. These neural networks play a pivotal role in identifying defects that emerge during the content compression process by measuring the degradation in quality between the source content and its compressed counterpart. This method, in its various iterations, is rapidly gaining traction among content providers. They have been harnessing AI tools to enhance their encoding processes, particularly for premium, high-demand content.
Neural networks allow for the fine-tuning of encoding parameters and enable per-title encoding. They find extensive use in the realm of video-on-demand content, which requires experimenting with various encoding parameters and making iterative adjustments to obtain the highest video quality at the lowest bit rate, ultimately resulting in lower distribution costs. This methodology has evolved into an industry-standard exemplified by VMAF, an algorithm pioneered by Netflix and widely adopted throughout the industry in the initial stages of encoding.
Taking a device-based approach While the use of neural networks in assessing video quality is helpful for content providers, it comes with a notable limitation for service providers - it's unsuitable for any content that lacks a reference stream to compare against. Consequently, it cannot be employed for testing live content due to the inherent nature of live streams, which cannot be preprocessed. So, for service providers delivering live linear content like sporting events, the primary hurdle in harnessing AI lies in the ability to evaluate content quality in real-time, including ad breaks.
A promising solution currently under development involves evaluating video quality from the perspective of an end-user after the stream has been decoded by a viewing device. This approach requires a higher level of AI sophistication, since it entails evaluating content without prior knowledge and assessing it in a manner akin to how a human would. It also mandates the utilisation of real physical devices with distinct operating systems, which introduces its own set of complexities.
Navigating the interface of physical devices necessitates an approach that mirrors human interaction. This is a capability best achieved through AI, as scripting every conceivable action to access every piece of content is unfeasible. Therefore, the process of content retrieval becomes dynamic, calling for adaptable AI solutions capable of handling diverse scenarios.
Once the content is reached, a further challenge arises in distinguishing between genuine defects and non-defective scenarios. AI must differentiate between blurriness resulting from compression and deliberate artistic choices, or between a black screen indicative of a defect and one that occurs during a transition. The ability to accurately identify true defects is paramount to improve the provider's service and enhance the user experience.
Ensuring the functionality of third-party apps For service providers offering third-party apps like Disney+ or Amazon Prime Video on their STBs, ensuring their proper functionality presents a unique challenge. The responsibility for these apps and their configuration doesn't fall squarely on service providers' shoulders, and they may be reluctant to take it on since it falls outside their core services of linear TV, DVR functionality, and on-demand portals. However, neglecting to ensure the proper performance of third-party apps, which account for a substantial portion of customer viewing time on their platform, is not in their best interests.
If an app fails to perform satisfactorily on a service provider's STB, there's a good chance viewers will opt for an alternative device. At this point, there's no shortage of options: from Smart TVs to streaming boxes, gaming consoles, mobile devices, and more. At best, this results in a reduction in viewership on the service provider's platform, with viewers eventually returning to their STBs to consume other content. At worst, viewers don't return at all and decide to cancel their subscription with the service provider. This issue is of particular concern in the United States, where the high cost of cable subscriptions frequently leads to cord-cutting, where viewers abandon traditional service providers an
Europe Stories
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
06/09/2026
June 9 2026, 23:00 (PDT) Dolby and MagentaTV Bring Fans Closer to the FIFA Worl...
04/08/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
04/07/2026
April 7 2026, 19:00 (PDT) Detective Conan: Fallen Angel of the Highway Opens in...
09/06/2026
Last month, Spotify hosted PURE FLOWERS LIVE, a special event celebrating the re...
09/06/2026
Last month, RADAR U.K. artist Skye Newman took the stage in East London for a sp...
09/06/2026
Company to cease operating on 30 June 2026
Australian loudspeaker and amplifier manufacturer Wayne Jones Audio have announced that after much consideration,...
09/06/2026
Increases low-end weight and character
The latest plug-in release from Sheffield-based fedDSP aims to offer an all-in-one solution for users in search of mo...
09/06/2026
Introduces AI Studio Assistant, Moises Studio integration & more
Fender Studio have just announced the launch a significant update that brings an array of n...
09/06/2026
The BBC has found its Hercule Poirot.
After Deadline revealed last month that t...
09/06/2026
X-Rite Pantone Launches Offset360 to Modernize Color Control Across Existing Pre...
09/06/2026
09 Jun 2026
VEON Appoints Serkan Ozturk as Chief of Staff & Strategy Officer Dubai and New York, June 9, 2026 - VEON Ltd. (NASDAQ: VEON), a global digital oper...
09/06/2026
Tuesday 9 June 2026
Katie Price: Nothing to Hide, a candid and unfiltered accou...
09/06/2026
Enni Continues to Rely on Arvato Systems - And Will Be Using AEP.EnerS4 Billing Solution
Arvato Systems to implement transformation project for SAP S/4HANA Ut...
09/06/2026
These special programmes will highlight RT 's connection with the Irish diaspora
This year, RT is marking 100 years of public broadcasting in Ireland with...
08/06/2026
At Spotify, our commitment to the LGBTQIA community is year-round. Through GLOW, our global music program, we celebrate and amplify the contributions of queer ...
08/06/2026
Get Hands-on With Keyboard & Synth Brands
GearExpo UK wouldn't be complete without some synth action, and we've got some of the industry's most ...
08/06/2026
50 popular in-ear monitoring system profiles added
The latest update for IK Multimedia's headphone-correction system has just arrived, and introduces ca...
08/06/2026
Manny Marroquin signature cans upgraded with SLAM Technology
The flagship model in Audeze's Manny Marroquin Signature Series has just been treated to an...
08/06/2026
Air domain supremacy redefined - New counter UAS, space solutions and directiona...
08/06/2026
he BBC and BritBox have announced that Edward Bluemel (We Might Regret This, My ...
08/06/2026
Plus, 20% off TVs ahead of kick-offMonday 8 June 2026
Sky introduces Real Time...
08/06/2026
FOX Secures Live NFL Game Package in Mexico Starting in Fall 2026 Agreement Features Thursday Night Football, Sunday Games Package, Thanksgiving Day Games, al...
08/06/2026
FOX One, FOX Sports and Indeed Name Austin Franklin and Kevin Akoto as FOX One C...
08/06/2026
Meet us on the show floor
Stand #286310 Discover Nara, the media management tool used by major facilities including Harbor and Molinare.
Nara v2 introduces re...
08/06/2026
L'art de l'Image dans Reflet dans un diamant mort' Une conversation avec le directeur de la photographie Manuel Dacosse, SBC et l' talonneur Pe...
08/06/2026
Embracing today's modern media workflows: FilmLight presents Nara 2.0, with FilmLight API Designed to support the growing demands of today's production ...
08/06/2026
Moderated by Andy Minuth, FilmLight's Colour Workflow Specialist
Wednesday 18 February
6:00pm / Doors open
7:00pm / Presentation in German
8:00pm / Drin...
08/06/2026
Join us on April 14 at 10:00am for a technical roundtable with the Filmlight dev...
08/06/2026
You're invited to FLAPI Classroom The fundamentals of coding and machine-assisted development
These sessions will help you build the skills needed to cre...
08/06/2026
With Sylvain Canaux (St Louis, Paris) and J r me Cloutier (MELS, Montreal)
Wednesday 6 May
Pick your time: 1:00PM / 5:00PM
Note: The presentation will be hel...
08/06/2026
FilmLight, 1107 N El Centro Ave, Los Angeles
Doors open at 3:30pm
Join the FilmLight team on June 9th at 4pm to learn how FilmLight products and APIs can stre...
08/06/2026
The Creators List launched to Help Brands Connect With Top Creators In CannesThe curated directory launched by Tubefilter, Comscore, Whalar Group and Gospel Sta...
08/06/2026
Irish YouTube star DavidMC joins Aisling O'Reilly to tackle all things socce...
07/06/2026
Company introduce 21 new protective covers
Decksaver have just announced their Sping 2026 Drop, which sees a total of 21 new models added to their ever-grow...
07/06/2026
Sunday 7 June 2026
Dynamo Vs Houdini comes to Sky later this year
The last time the world saw Dynamo, he buried himself alive. This weekend, he returned.
Mom...
06/06/2026
Check Out Leading Monitor Brands
We'll have monitors of all shapes and sizes at GearExpo UK, so whether you're looking to upgrade or expand your set...
06/06/2026
Two Originals offerings join MPC line-up
Following on from their partnership announcement at NAMM 2026, Spitfire Audio and Akai Pro have announced the relea...
05/06/2026
Built from the same recordings as flagship library
Sonuscore's LUX Orchestral Strings has been met with widespread praise since its launch in late 2025,...
05/06/2026
High-end converter, interface & headphone amp upgraded
Said to represent the next evolution of RME's all-in-one reference converter concept, the all-new...
05/06/2026
Win a Soundgas Type 636P & Type G preamps
Soundgas, one of the UK's leading vintage and boutique audio equipment specialists have just announced the lau...
05/06/2026
New leadership of Technology Systems Division at Rohde & Schwarz On July 1, 2026, Hansj rg Herrbold and Andreas H gele will take over as Executive Vice Presid...
05/06/2026
Hitachi and Intel announced a strategic collaboration to explore opportunities t...
05/06/2026
05 Jun 2026
VEON's Kyivstar to Expand Digital Mobility Ecosystem with Acqui...
05/06/2026
RT Radio 1 Folk Awards to take place on Tuesday 10th November 2026, Vicar Street, Dublin
Moya Brennan, D nal Lunny, Mary Black and Christy Moore among previou...
04/06/2026
Steinberg DAWs now boast in-depth Tonalic integration
Celemony's innovative virtual session musician plug-in has just received an update that brings ARA...
04/06/2026
Get Hands-On With Over 20 Mic Brands
GearExpo UK is fast approaching, and if you've been looking for a chance to check out some new mics, then you'r...
04/06/2026
Combos feature new Amplifier Intelligence engine
Positive Grid's latest release sees the company introduce two new combo amplifiers that promise to offe...
Yoann Hinard, COO at Witbe, looks at how AI has the potential to transform the video industry in various ways, including real-time video quality evaluation and third-party app performance testing, ensuring that users enjoy uninterrupted and flawless streaming experiences
