Encoding & Data Transfer Optimization

Question

Hi,

I am developing a solution which will include data transfer between mobile phone and server. However, I would like to minimize the quantity of the transferred data.

I was planning to try several types of encoding with TCP/UDP connection and measure the traffic and data loss. Otherwise I believe there already exist some kind of recommendations for protocol development (application layer) for different kind of data (audio, video, text) and network characteristics.

I would be really thankful if anyone provided any link or tip regarding this topic.

Thanks!

Answer 1

Regarding the compression aspect, Jeff Atwood wrote a post recently about compression which contained a link to this page which very nicely shows which compression algorithms/implementations that are best under which conditions when also considering the overhead imposed by doing compression.

For a mobile phone <--> server connection I would guess the speed could be something like 100-500kbps, and then "7za -mx=9" seems to be the choice that gives the best compression with least overhead.

For the more general "how to select/develop network protocols" for different scenarios part, this is an very open question and I am not sure if any clear answer can be given. But for video/audio I suggest looking here and I would guess RTSP and RTP can be used.