With the increasing popularity of on demand streaming media, the number of online videos being watched today is expected to double by 2016. Over the past couple of years, mobile traffic has itself experienced almost 50 percent of online video. Due to an increase in demand for online videos, companies like Netflix, HBO Go, Hulu, etc., has seen a rise in their consumer base. Moreover, the channels broadcasting live sporting events have also jumped on the online streaming video bandwagon.
As more and more request for online videos, performance becomes a major factor. Consumers always prefer quick load time with high video quality, which could result in a crash. In such cases, load testing video streaming performance plays a major role. In order to ensure an enhanced video streaming performance for customers, you must consider the following metrics.
Bit Rate
Being the most important metrics, it assists in understanding the quality of the video. The bit rate is measured as the number of bits of video transmitted over a certain period of time. For a given resolution of video, a higher quality image has a higher average bit rate.
Buffer Fill
This metrics determine the waiting time for a user before a video starts playing. Technically, it is the time taken for the bucket to fill after the video is first started.
Lag Length
Once the buffer is filled, the video can run smoothly as the download rate keeps up with the bit rate. However, if the buffer drains, the video halts. The lag length is the total time spent waiting including the initial buffer fill.
Play Length
It includes the amount of data streamed out of the data center and consumed by the user. This metrics help in understanding the capacity and infrastructure planning as well as determine the streamed data demand.
Lag Ratio
Considering the initial buffer period, lag ratio is considered the waiting time over watching time. The lag ratio can be very low; however, it can’t be zero. For a two hour long movie with a buffer of three minutes, the lag ratio is 2.5%.
In order to enjoy consistent and high-quality video streaming services, an extremely efficient data center along with high-throughput and resilient networks are required. There are technologies that have been developed to handle this. However, technologies that are meant to enhance the performance also complicate measurement at times. Depending upon the viewer’s device, the server adjusts the video quality. This phenomenon is generally known as adaptive bit rate streaming and are often built into technologies and product. This helps in avoiding any sudden interruption of a video. In case of performing a load test on your system, there are several complications that might be experienced. This is because, with the presence of adaptive bit rate streaming technologies, most load test tools fail to measure accurately.
Load test your streaming video
With the help of advanced technologies, you can make an excellent load testing platform for streaming video.
- Important streaming metrics are accurately accessed with adaptive bit rate streaming
- Analyze how a realistic viewership affects performance to plan for peak viewing
- You can make the consumers watch the video they want on the device they want at the desired quality by designing the video streaming infrastructure
