Optimal streaming of layer-encoded multimedia presentations

In the context of communication networks with no QoS guarantees, we describe the problem of streaming layer encoded multimedia presentation data as a two-phase decision problem. We propose a measure of presentation quality called the refined max-min metric that yields a computationally inexpensive algorithm for determining an optimal transmission policy needed within the second decision making phase. We compare this metric with a more traditional one, called the total quality metric, which yields an optimization problem that can be solved with dynamic programming. Using a slide show presentation with a randomly generated sequence of layer-encoded JPEG images, we compare the refined max-min criterion with the total quality criterion.