5G-MAG work will be presented at the upcoming Volumetric Media Interoperability (VMI) Working Group Town Hall organized by the Metaverse Standards Forum on November 26, 2024, at 7 AM PT. This online event will gather industry experts to discuss the current state and future potential of volumetric media, with a particular focus on how standards can elevate the ecosystem. Speakers from leading organizations, including  Volucap ,  4Dviews ,  XD Productions ,  Accenture , Trickshot,  Evercoast ,  KDDI Corporation , VFA,  MPEG ,  Arcturus , DVB,  5G-MAG MEDIA ACTION GROUP , and  SVTA , will present their insights on key topics such as volumetric media capture, market insights, vertical solutions, and the role of standards. Following the presentations, a panel discussion will analyze the future of volumetric media and the necessary steps to create a more interoperable ecosystem. EVENT: Volumetric Media Interoperability Town Hall DATE: November 26 at 7AM PT (15:00 CET) LOCATION: ONLINE INFORMATION ABOUT THE EVENT AND REGISTRATION: https://metaverse-standards.org/event/volumetric-media-interoperability-town-hall/

In the dynamic landscape of communication technology, the convergence of open source software, standardization, and cutting-edge research stands as a cornerstone for building resilient and sustainable networks. This event, spanning a 1.5-day conference supplemented by 3 half-day Hackfests, will explore the synergies between these complementary tracks, shaping the future of communication infrastructure and services. With a multidisciplinary approach, this gathering will highlight the relationships between open source initiatives, industry standards, and academic research in driving innovation, fostering interoperability, and ensuring the long-term viability of communication networks. Through a series of engaging talks, panel discussions, and interactive workshops, participants will delve into the collaborative frameworks essential for harnessing the collective strengths of these pillars. 5G-MAG MEDIA ACTION GROUP is present at the event with our latest reference implementations of 3GPP and MPEG specifications, and a presentation by Jordi J. Gimenez. EVENT: ETSI SNS4SNS DATE: 12-14 November 2024 LOCATION: SOPHIA-ANTIPOLIS, FRANCE DURING THE ENTIRE EVENT: Demonstrators powered by 5G-MAG Reference Tools ON 13 NOVEMBER AT 12:00 - 12:20: 5G-MAG Reference Tools - Building an Open Software Ecosystem for Multimedia Applications INFORMATION ABOUT THE EVENT AND REGISTRATION: https://www.etsi.org/events/2407-etsi-sns4sns-event

Time for a new edition of the OSMART WORKSHOP gathering multiple organizations running software projects and developing reference implementations in the context of media applications. We aim at: detecting opportunities for cooperation update each other on the progress of the projects and availability of tools gather information about how to use the tools for testing and in production exchange information about challenges, opportunitities, methodology of work, etc. Join us on Thursday 5 December, 16:00-18:30 CET (15:00 to 17:30 UTC) The agenda for the workshop and the organizations participating will be available in this page ( https://osmart-community.github.io/pages/osmart-workshop-3.html ). EVENT: OSMART WORKSHOP #3 DATE: 5 December 2024 at 16:00 to 18:30 CET (15:00 to 17:30 UTC) LOCATION: ONLINE INFORMATION ABOUT THE EVENT: https://osmart-community.github.io/pages/osmart-workshop-3.html REGISTRATION: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIpde-hqjgjH9Q7i_au6ixY2__3vWIybWvm#/registration

5G-MAG members are invited to join this Workshop on “Advanced Media Delivery” Introductory session on the 18th April 2024 – 14:00 CEST Main Session with 3GPP SA4 on the 2nd May 2024 - 15:30 CEST 3GPP is kicking off a Feasibility Study on Advanced Media Delivery in the context of potential improvements and extensions involving, among others, Common Client Metadata, Common Server-and Network-Assisted Streaming, Multi-CDN and Multi-Access Media Delivery, Modem Usage Optimized Media Streaming, DRM and Conditional Access, In-session Unicast Repair for MBS Object Distribution, MBS User Service and Delivery Protocols for eMBMS, Selected MBMS Functionalities not supported in MBS, DASH/HLS Interoperability, Further harmonization of RTC and Streaming for Advanced Media Delivery, Improved QoS support, Impacts and opportunities of QUIC for segmented content delivery. In addition, issues coming from the implementation of specifications under the 5G-MAG Reference Tools are also expected to be shared. Additional information can be found in: https://www.3gpp.org/ftp/meetings_3gpp_sync/SA4/Inbox/S4-240518.zip Introductory session on the 18th April at 14:00 CEST: https://member.5g-mag.com/wg/CD-T/calendar/event/246/2024-04-18 Main Session with 3GPP SA4 on the 2nd May at 15:30 CEST: https://member.5g-mag.com/wg/CD-T/calendar/event/247/2024-05-02 Some more background on the issues under discussion: Common Client Metadata: While 3GPP and MPEG in DASH support DASH metrics, the reporting is not common to any player, for example all DASH players as well as HLS players. As an example, CTA WAVE has developed: CTA-5004: Web Application Video Ecosystem Common-Media-Client-Data (CMCD) with an excellent overview here: https://ottverse.com/common-media-client-data-cmcd/ . It is worthwhile to study the benefits of integrating commonly supported metrics and client data reporting in 5GMS workflows. The focus is the integration of already defined metrics rather than developing new metrics. Examples of study include support of specific metric keys, player APIs, sending options from client to server (user plane, M5 reference point, EVEX), M3 reference point impact, as well as usage of the data in operations. A study of creating a common harmonized reporting framework and studying the interaction of different frameworks may be included. Common Server-and Network-Assisted Streaming: MPEG-DASH supports Server and Network Assisted DASH (SAND). Certain profiles of SAND were adopted in TS 26.247, but the industry has generalized the concepts in SAND in efforts such as Content Steering (see ETSI TS 103 998), Web Application Video Ecosystem (WAVE) specification for Common Media Server Data (CMSD), or Addressable Resource Index (ARI) Tracks in MPEG. The study and integration of these technologies into the Media Delivery System and MBS/MBMS workflows is of significant interest, in particular also in combination with existing QoS mechanisms. Multi-CDN and Multi-Access Media Delivery: Content distributors often use multiple Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) to distribute their content to tend-users. As an example, they may upload a copy of their catalogue to each CDN, or more commonly have all CDNs pull the content from a common origin. In advanced deployments, technologies such as Coded Multisource Media Format (CMMF) use Application Layer FEC techniques to stripe different subsets of content across multiple CDNs. Different client implementations may then beneficially use the content on multiple CDNs, potentially guided by the service or network provider. In addition, formats and techniques for generating content for multiple CDN delivery such as MPEG-DASH Part 9 (ReAP) may be taken into account. Further extensions include the ability for a client to use multiple access networks at the same time to support media delivery. Study of integration of different technologies into the Media Delivery System is of relevance to address content provisioning, content hosting, impacts on user plane reference points M2 and M4, and on media session handling at reference point M5 as well as potential benefits in terms of quality and resource usage. Modem Usage Optimized Media Streaming: In Rel-18, basic support for Background Data Transfer is added. UE power resources are constrained, and media delivery typically also results in power consumption if the radio is always connected. In order to better support streaming services, requests and access to the modem and the resources should be well balanced. Enhancements to Background Data Transfer to support preload as well as functionality of what is defined in W3C Managed Media Source Extension to minimize active network connections are relevant topics to study with the aim of limiting battery consumption in the UE resulting from media delivery. DRM and Conditional Access: DRM and Conditional Access are commonly used by third-party streaming services. However, in case streaming is done through MBS or MBMS, a more careful management of the keys needs to be checked. Scalability of key delivery is an issue. The support for -encrypted content in Unicast/Multicast and Broadcast is relevant. Integration of Content Protection interfaces in the provisioning, for example using CPIX back-end interfaces is of high relevance for the industry and should accordingly be studied. The impacts of these on media plane (reference points M2 and M4) as well as the media session handling APIs (reference points M3, M5) should also be studied. In-session Unicast Repair for MBS Object Distribution: For live and low-latency live services using the Object Distribution Method in MBS, in certain cases the transmission of an object is not successful. In this case, unicast repair for individual MBS Clients can improve the service quality. However, the timing of such requests needs to be carefully studied in order to avoid network overloads or significant latencies in the delivery. A study to extend MBS User Services and object streaming to address in-session repair is of relevance. MBS User Service and Delivery Protocols for eMBMS: The MBS User Service architecture and protocol follows the modern design philosophies of the 5G System with separation of user services from transport, a service-based architecture and RESTful APIs. At the same time, eMBMS and enTV as used for LTE-based 5G Broadcast support a transparent delivery mode. While interworking in between MBMS and MBS is addressed in TS 23.247, interworking between these two systems at the User Service level is not addressed. In order for MBMS and LTE-based 5G broadcast to leverage MBS User Service technologies, a study is warranted to identify the gaps to fully support this functionality. Selected MBMS Functionalities not supported in MBS: In completing TS 26.502 and TS 26.517, it is obvious that only a subset of the MBMS functionalities is supported in Rel-17. While many MBMS functionalities are likely not important to be supported for MBS, a systematic analysis of MBMS User Services features and their potential relevance for MBS should be completed and recommendations made on which ones to migrate to MBS User Services specifications and how best to achieve this. DASH/HLS Interoperability: DASH/HLS interoperability is a key issue to support highly scalable distribution systems for CDN-based distribution as well as for MBS/MBMS distribution. Offering common CMAF segments that can be consumed by both DASH and HLS media players promises to address these issues. However, detailed nuances need to be identified to ensure optimized delivery and CTA WAVE has provided detailed guidelines in CTA-5005-A to support this matter. Studying these guidelines and understanding the impacts on the 5GMS System as well as MBS/MBMS distribution is of relevance. In addition, formats and techniques supporting DASH/HLS interoperability such as MPEG-DASH part 9 (ReAP) may be taken into account. Further harmonization of RTC and Streaming for Advanced Media Delivery: With the creation of TS 26.510 in Rel-18, Media delivery across the 5G Media Streaming (5GMS) System and the Real-time media Communication (RTC) System was harmonized. However, not all functionalities from TS 26.512 are yet commonly available for RTC as well. Study of further harmonization is encouraged to fully implement common Media Delivery functions. Issues identified by Market Representation Partners, in particular 5G-MAG: Through the development in 5G-MAG of reference implementations for MBMS, 5GMS and MBS, 5G-MAG is identifying specific problems which are collected in https://github.com/5G-MAG/Standards/issues . While some of the issues are purely related to bug fixes, some of the issues may require study by SA4 and the development of new functionalities in the relevant technical specifications. It is vital to support the industry and MRPs in deploying 3GPP technologies. Improved QoS support: In Rel-18, SA2 has defined a number of new features in the 5G System, especially in the PCF, from which media delivery may benefit. Examples documented in TS 23.501 include the use of Explicit Congestion Notification (ECN) to support Low Latency, Low Loss, Scalable Throughput (L4S) services (clause 5.37.3), PDU Set handling (clause 5.37.5) and QoS Monitoring (clause 5.45), and there are likely others. The impact and usefulness of selected features is preferably studied. The functions identified in this context may be studied in one or more of the above work topics. Impacts and opportunities of QUIC for segmented content delivery: Since the finalisation of the QUIC protocol by the IETF in May 2021, there has been significant deployments of QUIC driven by the usage of HTTP/3 for streaming services. In the IETF, the working group on Media Over QUIC (MOQ) is working towards an extensible protocol for publishing media for ingest and distribution. While QUIC is mostly used today as the underlying protocol of HTTP/3, there is still open questions as to how media segments are delivered over QUIC streams when using HTTP/3 but also considering other QUIC-based protocols such as MOQ. Considering different types of media application, e.g. multi-stream use cases, will be of interest. Studying the various strategies for delivering segmented content over QUIC streams will also bring insights for the network management aspects. For instance, findings in this domain may be relevant to WT#2.1 in the ongoing study in SA2 called FS_XRM_Ph2 (SP-231671) whose deliverable is available as TR 23.700-70.

Jaime Sánchez Roldán (iTEAM-UPV) provides a demonstration showing the work done to implement an LTE-based 5G Terrestrial Broadcast transmitter closing the gap towards 3GPP Release 16 specifications. VIDEO

Daniel Silhavy (Fraunhofer FOKUS) provides insight into "Playback of a multicast DASH stream in dash.js & 5G-MAG Reference Tools" using features implemented in the 5G-MAG Reference Tools. Read the full story at: https://websites.fraunhofer.de/video-dev/playback-of-a-dash-multicast-stream-in-dash-js-using-the-5g-mag-reference-tools/ ABSTRACT Typically, media streaming in browser-based environments is based on unicast delivery. Streaming services such as Netflix, DAZN, Amazon Prime, Disney and Youtube use Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) to deliver media segments and manifest files in a one-to-one (unicast) fashion to their customers. Especially for large-scale events the delivery of multicast streams can have a large impact on the scalability and the costs of streaming services. Ideally, the main content like a sports game can be multicasted to all viewers while preserving the benefits of classic unicast streaming such as personalized advertisements or the option to switch between different languages or camera angles. In this blog post we will explore an implementation that uses the 5G-MAG Reference Tools to receive a multicast DASH stream and provide the manifest files and the media segments to the dash.js player for final playback. Read the full story at: https://websites.fraunhofer.de/video-dev/playback-of-a-dash-multicast-stream-in-dash-js-using-the-5g-mag-reference-tools/

Klaus Kühnhammer (ORS/Bitstem) and Daniel Silhavy (Fraunhofer FOKUS) provide insight into "Seamless switching between broadcast and broadband delivery" using features implemented in the 5G-MAG Reference Tools. Read the full story at: https://websites.fraunhofer.de/video-dev/5g-mag-reference-tools-seamless-switching-between-broadcast-and-broadband-delivery/ ABSTRACT In one of our previous blog posts we looked into playback of a multicast DASH stream in dash.js using the 5G-MAG Reference Tools . In this article, we go even a step further: Based on the availability we dynamically and seamlessly switch between broadcast and broadband delivery. A dynamic switch between broadcast and broadband delivery offers many possibilities and advantages. Most importantly: As a service provider, we can enable/disable broadcast delivery based on consumption metrics while guaranteeing a smooth playback experience for the end user. In cases in which users are out of broadcast coverage the service continues to operate by falling back to broadband. It enables personalized ad-insertion by receiving the main content via broadcast and the ad content via broadband. Read the full story at: https://websites.fraunhofer.de/video-dev/5g-mag-reference-tools-seamless-switching-between-broadcast-and-broadband-delivery/ VIDEO

Richard Bradbury, David Waring, Dev Audsin, John Elliot and other colleagues at BBC R&D are involved in the development and implementation of 5G Media Streaming functions for delivering media services over mobile networks. This video provides insight into the status of the 5G-MAG Reference Tools involved in the demonstration and the laboratory setup as of January 2023. VIDEO MORE DETAILS The BBC R&D signal processing lab in London has been building a 5G Standalone testbed to experiment with advanced features of the 5G system. We've built a cloud-based 5G Core and a 5G cloud RAN and we're using software-based radio technology to act as a 5G base station where off-the-shelf mobile handsets connect to. Working as part of the 5G-MAG Reference Tools, we've also started developing reference implementations of 3GPP's Application Server and Application Function for 5G Media Streaming. 5G Media Streaming Application Function (5GMS AF) and Application Server (5GMS AS) in action 5G Media Streaming specifies a Media Session Handling network API that allows mobile applications to collaborate with the 5G network through a 5GMS Application Function. With the aim of improving the Quality of Experience (QoE), using this API handsets can request a different network Quality of Service (QoS) to satisfy the needs of a particular media streaming session. Applications can also request an estimate of the bitrate that the network can currently sustain and can request a short boost to help them replenish their buffers. Finally the mobile handset can report both media consumption and QoE metrics to the 5GMS Application Function to help it better understand what's going on in the network. The first feature we have implemented is content hosting, where the 5GMS Application Server (5GMS AS) is configured to act as a CDN. To make this work an application provider first provisions a content hosting configuration in the 5GMS AF. The 5GMS AF then configures one or more 5GMS AS. These act as caching web proxies back to the content origin. Finally, the 5GMS AF returns Service Access Information to the application provider which it can pass privately to the 5GMS-Aware Application. This includes a media entry point URL pointing to, e.g. an MPEG-DASH MPD. Learn more: 27.01.23 - 5G-MAG Reference Tools XCHANGE + DEMOS (Videos and Slides)

Daniel Silhavy is providing guidelines for an end-to-end setup for 5G Downlink Media Streaming containing the Android clients components and applications contributed by Fraunhofer FOKUS and a reference DVB-I app contributed by Dolby . These developments grow on top of the server side components contributed by the BBC and covered here . Build you the end-to-end setup: https://github.com/5G-MAG/Getting-Started/wiki/Use-Case:-5G-Downlink-Media-Streaming-End-to-End-Setup We welcome new contributions and feedback through our communication channels. Learn more at developer.5g-mag.com VIDEO MORE DETAILS The starting point around 5G Downlink Media Streaming was to implement basic functionalities for 5G Media Streaming with DASH-based media streaming using 5GMS formats and protocols. Continuing the efforts reported here , additional components have been implemented. A 5GMSd Application Server (5GMSd AS) is configured as a CDN node with the configuration provided by the 5GMSd Application Function , over reference points M1d and M3d. Test assets are pulled from a content origin at reference point M2d and cached. A 5GMSd Media Stream Handler to play back DASH media is built around the open-source Exoplayer and invoked by a 5GMSd-Aware Application using the M7 client API. The 5GMSd-Aware Application uses a Service Access Information JSON file provided by the Application Provider via the private M8d reference point. The Service Access Information file includes a media entry point such as the URL to a DASH MPD hosted by the 5GMSd AS and exposed via reference point M4d. A 5GMSd Media Session Handler is added to the list of components. The 5GMSd Media Session Handler is invoked by the 5GMSd-Aware Application at the start of each media streaming session via a client API call at reference point M6d. The 5GMSd Media Session Handler retrieves Service Access Information from a 5GMSd Application Function (5GMSd AF) via reference point M5d. The returned resource includes a Media Entry Point such as the URL of a DASH MPD hosted on the 5GMSd Application Server. The Media Entry Point is passed to the 5GMSd Media Stream Handler by invoking a client API at reference point M7d. UPDATED REPOSITORIES AND DOCUMENTATION Check the Developer Space and the new Wikis for more details on the architectures, repositories, implementations and news around the 5G-MAG Reference Tools Development Programme .

Learn about the recent development on the 5G Media Streaming projects. Find more resources at www.5g-mag.com/repositories We welcome new contributions and feedback through our communication channels. Learn more at developer.5g-mag.com 5G Media Streaming: Driving effective collaboration between mobile media applications and mobile networks - by Richard Bradbury , BBC Richard Bradbury is a Lead Engineer with BBC Research & Development where he investigates network and systems architectures and protocols for efficient, scalable and cost-effective delivery of media. He co-chairs the DVB working group on Multicast ABR, is a delegate to 3GPP SA4 and is an active participant in 5G-MAG, currently coordinating BBC R&D's contributions to an Open Source reference implementation of 5G Media Streaming. SLIDES Download slides VIDEO

Learn about the recent development on the 5G Broadcast projects. Find more resources at www.5g-mag.com/repositories We welcome new contributions and feedback through our communication channels. Learn more at developer.5g-mag.com 5G Broadcast with the 5G-MAG Reference Tools - by Klaus Kühnhammer , Bitstem Klaus has been involved in signal processing and multimedia streaming since 1998. He has an MA in computational and theoretical linguistics from the University of Vienna, and started his professional career creating acoustic and syntactic models for speech recognition systems at Philips, where he later was part of the team that developed the first range of IP-enabled Hi-Fi sets for multimedia streaming. Through his company Bitstem, founded in 2007, he has created IP interfaces for analog and digital two-way radio communication, drive test systems for various broadcast and radio standards, and provides consulting and development services in the communication and infrastructure industries. Its latest product is a modulator for 5G Broadcast. Klaus has been actively progressing the 5G Broadcast ecosystem through the creation of the open-source 5G-MAG reference tools for transmission, reception and processing of 5G Broadcast signals. SLIDES Download slides VIDEO

Learn about the recent development on the 3D and XR projects. Find more resources at www.5g-mag.com/repositories We welcome new contributions and feedback through our communication channels. Learn more at developer.5g-mag.com XR Player and integration in 5G - by Imed Bouazizi , Qualcomm Imed Bouazizi received the Ph.D. degree from the RWTH Aachen University in 2004. He is a Principal Engineer with Qualcomm. He contributes to different international standardization activities, such as MPEG and 3GPP. His key research areas cover immersive multimedia formats and distribution, 5G and cloud media processing, and AI-based media processing. He received an Emmy Inventor Award for his work on 3GPP DASH in 2022.. The XR Player is a set of projects that were added to the 5G-MAG reference tools to enable the streaming and playback of 3D media over 5G networks. In this talk, we will describe the XR Player implementation and lay out the plans for upcoming features. We will also address the integration of the XR Player with the other 5G-MAG reference tools to leverage the capabilities of 5G for an optimized XR media playback. VIDEO