Media synchronisation an distributed multimedia systems

We defend the use of separated virtual channels and independent client processes to handle each media stream in a multistream presentation. The main reason for that is the simplicity gained for developing new applications. In order to maintain this gain, it is important to have a synchronisation mechanism that does not increase the complexity of client processes. We have designed a model for media synchronisation that achieves multistream synchronisation transparently to client processes. In our model, client processes do not know that they are being synchronised. They run as if they were completely independent of any other process or media stream. The synchronisation mechanism is responsible for blocking client processes and for discarding information to maintain the correct multistream synchronisation.< >