In the rapidly evolving world of streaming media, the quest for balancing speed and scale in video delivery has led to the adoption of two main methods: HTTP adaptive streaming and WebRTC-based video conferencing. While the former excels in scalable, cost-effective distribution, the latter is known for its ultra-responsive, real-time communication capabilities. However, each comes with its own set of compromises, often forcing developers and content providers to choose between quality and latency. Enter Media over QUIC (MoQ), a promising new protocol currently under development by the IETF that aims to merge the best of both worlds, potentially revolutionizing how we stream video online.
Bridging the Gap Between Scale and Speed
HTTP adaptive streaming, with protocols like HLS and DASH, has become the backbone of internet video delivery, leveraging HTTP’s widespread support and the robust CDN infrastructure for scalable distribution. At the other end, WebRTC is tailored for real-time interactions, sacrificing some quality for minimal delay, crucial for video conferencing and interactive applications. However, neither protocol fully addresses the growing demands for streaming high-quality, low-latency video in a cost-effective manner. This is where MoQ steps in, proposing a unified solution to enhance both video quality and latency without necessitating specialized infrastructure.
Streamlining the Streaming Process
MoQ seeks to simplify the streaming workflow by combining the contribution (ingest) and distribution phases into a single protocol. Traditional streaming contribution via RTMP and emerging standards like WHIP for WebRTC face challenges in achieving low end-to-end latency, often requiring additional steps for compatibility with delivery formats such as HLS or DASH.
By unifying the contribution and distribution phases into a single protocol, MoQ eliminates the need for multiple intermediary steps and protocols. This simplification can lead to significant efficiency gains in the streaming workflow, reducing latency, and minimizing the complexity associated with managing different protocols for different stages of video delivery.
QUIC – Leveraging the Best of TCP and UDP
At the heart of MoQ’s appeal is its foundation on QUIC, which offers the reliability of TCP (ensuring ordered and complete data delivery) and the low-latency benefits of UDP. This dual advantage is particularly crucial for video streaming, where the balance between quality (no data loss) and latency (speed) is vital. Developers can leverage MoQ to build streaming applications that do not have to compromise on quality for speed or vice versa, addressing one of the most significant challenges in current streaming technologies.
Enhanced Performance with Reduced Infrastructure Complexity
The cost and complexity of infrastructure necessary to support high-quality, low-latency streaming have been barriers to entry for many content providers. MoQ’s approach reduces the need for specialized infrastructure by optimizing streaming efficiency, potentially lowering costs and making high-performance streaming more accessible. For developers, this means being able to offer competitive streaming services with reduced overhead and investment in infrastructure.
Adaptability and Future-Proofing
MoQ’s design caters to a wide range of media types, from video and audio to text, making it a versatile tool for developers working across different types of streaming content. Furthermore, as streaming technologies evolve, the adaptability of MoQ ensures that applications built on it can easily incorporate future advancements, reducing the need for significant overhauls or compatibility patches.
Enhancing Viewer Experience
Ultimately, the success of streaming applications hinges on the viewer experience. MoQ’s potential to provide high-quality video with low latency directly translates to improved satisfaction among viewers. By minimizing buffering, improving video quality, and reducing the lag that can detract from live streaming events, MoQ enables content publishers to deliver a superior viewing experience that can differentiate their offerings in a crowded market.
Conclusion
Media over QUIC represents a significant leap forward in our ability to deliver high-quality, real-time video content on the internet. For video developers, embracing MoQ means tapping into a future where streaming is faster, more reliable, and more efficient. As the protocol continues to evolve, staying informed and ready to adapt will be key to harnessing the full potential of MoQ in transforming the streaming landscape.
While MoQ is still in development, understanding its principles and preparing for its eventual rollout is essential for video developers. By staying ahead of the curve, developers can ensure their applications and services are ready to leverage MoQ’s benefits, positioning themselves as leaders in the next generation of streaming media.
At id3as, we’ve added experimental MoQ support to the Norsk Media Engine. We plan to use MoQ for some internal monitoring workflows until the protocol matures to the point where we can start supporting MoQ for production live events at scale.
