Now Buffering: How to Solve the Top Hurdles Fans Face in Streaming Live Sports explores how the shift from traditional television to digital streaming is reshaping the way fans experience live sports. It examines the forces behind this transition, from evolving viewing habits and the rise of subscription services to the globalization of sports fandom.
VIDEO TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION AT INTERDIGITAL
At InterDigital's Video Lab, our mission is to optimize the end-to-end video pipeline, from the moment content is produced to when it's rendered on a phone, TV, or headset. Our research reduces media file size through advanced compression while enhancing visual quality. Whether 2D, 3D, or fully immersive, we make the video workflow seamless and sustainable for content producers, distributors, device makers, and the audiences who depend on it every day.
Our Video Work in Action
It's hard to watch a video, on any device, that isn't built on InterDigital innovations. Our research powers the fundamental technologies that make everyday video consumption possible.
Vibrant, Lifelike Imagery
Picture quality has come a long way, with movies, sports, and games now consistently delivering crisp, vivid images. InterDigital has played a key role in advancing HDR and the perceptual enhancements that make high-quality video possible across every screen.
3D Video
Free-viewpoint video, extended reality, and holographic projection might not be everyday household technologies yet, but they are not far off. Our immersive video standards are already making these applications possible—and increasingly scalable.
Seamless Binge-watching
Binge-watching an entire series is now a common, enjoyable activity thanks to compression and streaming technologies that reduce choppy movement, buffering, fuzziness, and long load times, making it easy to jump from one episode to the next without frustration.
Virtual Reality (VR) Headsets
The immersive codecs InterDigital contributes to enable ultra-low latency and high-resolution in VR—qualities that reduce motion sickness and help virtual reality gaming, therapy, and communication look realistic and feel comfortable.
Shorts and Social Clips
Mobile short-form content on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube is ubiquitous, but it would not be possible without advanced compression that keeps bandwidth and battery power demands low.
Video Calling and Telework
From FaceTiming family to interviewing over Zoom and conferencing on Slack, remote communication has become a fundamental part of personal and professional life. Clear, responsive video is essential for maintaining connections across distances and accessing job opportunities outside your immediate area.
Explore Our Video Research Areas in Depth
Dig into some of the key areas the Video Lab is focused on:
Next-Generation Codecs and Compression
Advancing a new generation of conventional, 3D/immersive, and AI-based codecs.
Explore Next-Generation Codecs and Compression 
Multimedia Streaming and Video Delivery
Eliminating low latency and buffering and enabling large-scale live streaming.
Explore Multimedia Streaming and Video Delivery
Extended Reality (XR) Quality of Experience
Enabling AR, VR, and mixed reality experiences that incorporate immersive visuals and haptics.
Explore Extended Reality (XR) Quality of Experience
HDR and Video Production Innovation
Giving content creators and producers the tools to make and share media at its highest quality.
Explore HDR and Video Production Innovation
Energy-Aware Video
Video is the largest driver of internet traffic—and one of the most energy-intensive. InterDigital's research in energy-aware video reduces the power needed to compress and display media without sacrificing quality. We also drive innovation in multimedia streaming, developing sustainable media delivery solutions that reduce network energy consumption and enhance user experiences.
- Efficient encoding and decoding lowers device power use and extends battery life
- Bandwidth savings cut network strain while preserving viewing quality
- Sustainable standards contribute to MPEG tools and metrics for measuring energy use
- Future-ready video and streaming technologies balance user experience with environmental responsibility
Our Video Teams
The Video Lab comprises four distinct teams:
Designing how traditional video is compressed and delivered
The 2D Codecs team innovates in video compression technologies, designing new ways to smoothly encode, deliver, and stream video.
• Explores both traditional compression techniques and AI-powered methods • Researches how to optimize video packaging, network distribution, and streaming • Standardizes codecs with low video delay, minimizing lag for cloud gaming and live streaming • Contributes to JVET (Joint Video Experts Team) to set international standards for next generation video
Leadership in Video Research
InterDigital advances video innovations through contributions to standards bodies, including MPEG, ETSI, ITU, SVTA, 3GPP, and SMPTE.
A Legacy of Innovative Video Technology
Since our 2018 acquisition of Technicolor Research & Innovation, InterDigital's Video Lab has combined decades of research leadership with Technicolor's century-long legacy of innovation. Together, our contributions have shaped the evolution of video from the first color films to today's immersive and ultra-high-definition experiences. While the focus of our work has evolved, the following technologies are an integral part of the Video Lab's legacy:
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InterDigital Honored with Produit en Bretagne Award: A Testament to Regional Leadership and Impact
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