Synchronized delivery of multimedia content over uncoordinated broadcast broadband networks

Existing broadcast networks can deliver identical content to a large number of users. Broadband networks can deliver personalized content to specific users. Hybrid delivery tries to use the best of both types of networks to provide customized services to many users. This paper studies the theoretical aspects and challenges behind the delivery of multimedia content over hybrid broadcast broadband networks, including bootstrapping, synchronization and resynchronization. It presents a solution based on the use of a global clock which does not require communication across networks and is compatible with existing technologies. This solution is implemented in a multimedia player and evaluated against two real-world scenarios, mixing DVB or FM broadcast networks with a broadband IP network. The results confirm the theoretical approach and show that some fine tuning in the networks is needed for a tighter synchronization.