The CommX Discover uses QUIC, the most advanced media streaming protocol. QUIC reduces connection and transport latency and significantly improves on the shortcomings of other, earlier protocols. In addition, QUIC allows for the synchronization of media files with metadata making it the only solemn choice for aerial videos and multi-channel feeds.
What is QUIC?
QUIC is a communication protocol developed by Google. In 2021 the IETF standardized the QUIC protocol as part of HTTP/3, which is destined to replace earlier versions of HTTP making related protocols obsolete. Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and Firefox use the protocol by default and on Safari it can be enabled by choice. Web applications are slow to move over to the new protocol despite its obvious advantages. So far, only 7.8% of all websites use the QUIC protocol.
CommX Discover utilizes its advantages so you can get more out of your live video feeds.
Taken from Google
The power of QUIC
Synchronization of media and KLV metadata is possible with QUIC
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Low Latency - QUIC initiates connections faster
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Streaming performance - QUIC eliminates the head-of-line-blocking issue
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Stable Connection - QUIC allows connection migration
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More data security - the use of QUIC reduces the attack surface
QUIC vs Standard Protocols
Most streaming sites still use HTTP protocols (HSL or MPEG-DASH) or WebRTC.
HTTP is not suited for live streaming and therefore not relevant for surveillance and security, as well as many business use cases.
Also, the initiation of a connection between endpoint and server involves a complex encryption variation process, causing delay. In addition, the HTTP protocol often suffers from an issue called head-of-line-blocking causing interruptions and delays in dataflow and impacting the streaming performance.
WebRTC is an open-source communication protocol enabling real-time media streaming between browsers and devices via API. However, there’s no possibility to add data, which means it’s not suitable for use with sensory data or to add metadata.
Also, RTC takes up significant bandwidth and requires extensive server power, which makes it costly and can also lead to inconsistent streaming quality. In addition, using RTC requires websites to add security protocols on their own.
QUIC
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Using UDP, QUIC allows multiple analog and digital streams of data signals to reach an endpoint independently. This is contrary to TCP, which packs signals in a single in-order byte stream. As a result, the receiving software gets various types of data simultaneously. It also eliminates head-of-line blockage.
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QUIC provides encryption at the transport layer rather than on top of it. As a result, connections are initiated faster than with TCP, where several rounds of encryption verification need to occur. In addition, almost all transferred data is encrypted, which reduces the attack surface significantly.
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QUIC enables connection migration. In other words, there is no interruption in the stream when the client IP address changes.
The QUIC protocol is especially useful for high-speed and high-performing websites. Live media streaming is one use-case where QUIC makes a difference that you actually see, hear and feel.
