Adaptive Bitrate (ABR) is a technology used for streaming video and audio over the internet. The main objective of ABR is to provide smooth and continuous playback of video content with a good quality of experience (QoE) to the end user, even in conditions of fluctuating network bandwidth.
ABR works by dynamically adjusting the bitrate of the video stream in real-time, depending on the available bandwidth of the user's network connection. This ensures that the video content is delivered at the highest quality that the network can support, without buffering or stalling.
ABR algorithms use a number of techniques to determine the available bandwidth, including measuring the time it takes for data to travel from the client to the server, and monitoring the buffer levels in the video player. Based on this information, the bitrate of the video stream can be adjusted upwards or downwards to maintain a consistent quality of experience.
ABR is widely used for delivering video content on platforms such as YouTube, Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video, among others. It is an essential technology for delivering high-quality video content over the internet, as it allows the video to adapt to the changing network conditions, providing a smooth and uninterrupted viewing experience.