Multiple Description Coding and Practical Network Coding for Video Multicast

Multiple description codes have been shown to facilitate heterogeneous multicast using routing with replication. We develop the combination of practical network coding and multiple description coding (introduced by Chou et al.), but here for video multicast in lossless networks where users get video according to their available resources. We also show that network coding enables the server to provide Quality of Service that is centrally controlled. The lack of the need to maintain multiple trees (as in routing) helps in ease of construction of the multicast delivery system. The simulation results show that using practical network coding provides significant control over the rate allocation for the resources.