Method and apparatus for content-driven transcoder coordination

Abstract

Systems and methods are described herein for coordinating transcoders. Content may be received from different sources to be transcoded. Each transcoder of a plurality of transcoders may send data associated with content to each other to coordinate the plurality of transcoders. The data may indicate timing information for the encoded content and features of the content such as, for example, color, frame similarity, or frame type. The transcoders, while outputting encoded content, may coordinate either directly or via a broker. The transcoders may coordinate in order to synchronize their output so that frames, that may be received by each transcoder at different times, are aligned based on the timing information. The coordination and synchronization may improve error resilience. In the case of a transcoder/encoder or a site failure, there may be a seamless transition to a different transcoder/encoder and no reduction in performance because of the time alignment.