Netflix patents smarter video quality selection for your specific device
Netflix describes a method where a device tests how it processes video to create a unique quality profile. During streaming, the device uses this profile to pick the video file that will look best on that specific screen, rather than using a one-size-fits-all setting.
In the filing’s own words
Techniques are disclosed for optimizing adaptive bitrate streaming using device-side post-processing information. In a profiling stage, encoded test videos are provided to endpoint devices, post-processed video frames are received, perceptual quality information is generated for encoded and post-processed media content, and quality deltas are determined. Based on at least the quality deltas and device information, a device quality profile is generated. In some embodiments, the device quality profile stores lookup values and/or information used to generate a post-processing aware rate-distortion curve and saturation point information. In some embodiments, a predictive model is generated using profiling data associated with the device quality profile to predict quality deltas for encoded representations. During streaming, an endpoint device receives the device quality profile and, in some embodiments, the predictive model determines device-specific perceptual quality information for candidate encoded representations, selects an encoded representation, requests encoded media content, and renders the encoded media content.
What exactly they claim (claim 1)
1. A computer-implemented method for selecting a representation of media content by an endpoint device, the method comprising: receiving a device quality profile associated with the endpoint device; obtaining perceptual quality information associated with a plurality of encoded representations of the media content; determining, based on at least the device quality profile and the perceptual quality information, device-specific perceptual quality information for at least one encoded representation of the plurality of encoded representations; selecting, based on at least the device-specific perceptual quality information, a selected encoded representation from the plurality of encoded representations; and requesting encoded media content corresponding to the selected encoded representation.
Facts
- Company
- Netflix (NETFLIX, INC.)
- Official title
- ADAPTIVE BITRATE STREAMING OPTIMIZATIONS
- Publication number
- US20260332779A1
- Application number
- 19645005
- Filed
- Apr 10, 2026
- Published
- Oct 22, 2026
- Inventors
- 2
- Claims
- 20
Classified under
H04N 19/154 Electricity & electronicsH04N 19/147 Electricity & electronicsMore from Netflix in AI & software
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Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.