Multi-channel variable bit-rate video compression

1. A system comprising:

a plurality of encoders each providing, to a controller, pre-compression coding data for a channel of program content that identifies a relationship between (a) one or more bit rates and (b) corresponding video compression quality levels, wherein the pre-compression coding data is generated at each of the plurality of encoders by said each encoder encoding a reduced resolution version of said channel of program content a plurality of times at a different bit rate; and

the controller that:

receives, from each of the plurality of encoders, the pre-compression coding data;

determines a total bit rate available for the system;

identifies, for each of the plurality of encoders, a highest video compression quality level based on (a) the pre-compression coding data, including said parameters, and (b) the total bit rate available; and

instructs each of the plurality of encoders, which sent said pre-compression coding data, to use a particular highest video compression quality level identified for that encoder.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of encoders each receive uncompressed channels of program content.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the relationship identifies a plurality of bit rates and corresponding video compression quality levels each achievable at a respective bit rate.

4. The system of claim 3 , wherein the controller further:

identifies a first video compression quality level,

determines, from the pre-compression coding data, a corresponding bit rate required to achieve the first video compression quality level for each encoder; and

identifies the first video compression quality level as the highest video compression quality level if the sum of the bit rates required to achieve the first video compression quality level for the plurality of encoders is less than or equal to the total bit rate available.

5. The system of claim 4 , wherein the controller further:

identifies a second video compression quality level that is of a lesser quality than the first video compression quality level if the sum of the bit rates required to achieve the first video compression quality level for the plurality of encoders is greater than the total bit rate available.

6. The system of claim 5 , wherein the controller further:

determines a corresponding bit rate required to achieve the second video compression quality level for each encoder; and

identifies the second video compression quality level as the highest video compression quality level if the sum of the bit rates required to achieve the second video compression quality level for the plurality of encoders is less than or equal to the total bit rate available.

7. The system of claim 5 , wherein the controller further:

identifies a third video compression quality level that is of a lesser quality than the first video compression quality level but better quality than the second video compression quality level if the sum of the bit rates required to achieve the first video compression quality level or the second video compression quality level for the plurality of encoders is greater than the total bit rate available.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the controller controls at least two of the plurality of encoders to achieve the identified highest video compression quality level but at a different bit rate.

9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the controller:

determines, for each encoder, a bit rate corresponding to the identified highest video compression quality level; and

assigns the determined bit rate to each encoder to achieve the identified highest video compression quality level.

10. The system of claim 9 , wherein the assigned bit rates are different for at least two of the plurality of encoders.

11. The system of claim 9 , wherein at least two encoders encode respective one or more channels of program content based on the assigned bit rate, the assigned bit rate being fixed and constant.

12. The system of claim 11 , further comprising:

a multiplexer to receive two or more channels encoded based on the assigned bit rate from the plurality of encoders and to aggregate the two or more encoded channels to produce compressed video data.

13. The system of claim 11 , wherein each encoder generates a table comprising the pre-compression coding data that describes each bit rate and corresponding video compression quality level.

14. A method comprising:

receiving, from each of a plurality of encoders, pre-compression coding data identifying a relationship between (a) one or more bit rates and (b) corresponding video compression quality levels, wherein the pre-compression coding data is generated at each of the plurality of encoders by said each encoder encoding a reduced resolution version of said channel of program content a plurality of times at a different bit rate;

determining a total bit rate available for encoding one or more channels of program content;

identifying a highest video compression quality level based on (a) the pre-compression coding data, including said parameters, and (b) the total bit rate available; and

instructing each of a plurality of encoders, which sent said pre-compression coding data, to use a particular highest video compression quality level identified for that encoder.

15. The method of claim 14 , further comprising receiving uncompressed channels of program content,

wherein receiving pre-compression coding data includes receiving the uncompressed channels encoded a plurality of times, each time at a different bit rate to provide a plurality of corresponding video compression quality levels each achievable at a respective bit rate from which the relationship is identified.

16. The method of claim 14 , further comprising:

identifying a first video compression quality level;

determining, from the pre-compression coding data, a corresponding bit rate required to achieve the first video compression quality level for each encoder; and

identifying the first video compression quality level as the highest video compression quality level if the sum of the bit rates required to achieve the first video compression quality level for the plurality of encoders is less than or equal to the total bit rate available.

17. The method of claim 16 , further comprising:

identifying a second video compression quality level that is of a lesser quality than the first video compression quality level if the sum of the bit rates required to achieve the first video compression quality level for the plurality of encoders is greater than the total bit rate available.

18. The method of claim 17 , further comprising:

determining a corresponding bit rate required to achieve the second video compression quality level for each encoder; and

identifying the second video compression quality level as the highest video compression quality level if the sum of the bit rates required to achieve the second video compression quality level for the plurality of encoders is less than or equal to the total bit rate available.

19. The method of claim 17 , further comprising:

identifying a third video compression quality level that is of a lesser quality than the first video compression quality level but better quality than the second video compression quality level if the sum of the bit rates required to achieve the first video compression quality level or the second video compression quality level for the plurality of encoders is greater than the total bit rate available;

determining a corresponding bit rate required to achieve the third video compression quality level for each encoder; and

identifying the third video compression quality level as the highest video compression quality level if the sum of the bit rates required to achieve the third video compression quality level for the plurality of encoders is less than or equal to the total bit rate available.

20. The method of claim 14 , wherein controlling the plurality of encoders includes controlling at least two of the plurality of encoders to achieve the identified highest video compression quality level but at a different bit rate.

21. The method of claim 14 , further comprising:

determining, for each encoder, a bit rate corresponding to the identified highest video compression quality level; and

assigning the determined bit rate to each encoder to achieve the identified highest video compression quality level.

22. The method of claim 21 , wherein assigning the determined bit rate includes assigning a different bit rate for at least two of the plurality of encoders.

23. The method of claim 22 , further comprising:

multiplexing two or more channels encoded based on the assigned bit rate from the plurality of encoders to produce compressed video data.

24. A system comprising:

a plurality of encoders each providing, in real time, coding data identifying a relationship (a) between a plurality of bit rates and (b) corresponding video compression quality levels, wherein the coding data is generated at each of the plurality of encoders by said each encoder encoding a reduced resolution version of said channel of program content a plurality of times at a different bit rate; and

a controller that:

receives, from each of the plurality of encoders, the coding data;

identifies, for each of the plurality of encoders, a video compression quality level based on (a) the coding data, including said parameters, and (b) a total bit rate available for transmission in a transmission medium through which program content encoded by the plurality of encoders are to be transmitted; and

instructs each of the plurality of encoders, which sent said pre-compression coding data, in real time based on the identified video compression quality level for each encoder.

25. The system of claim 1 , wherein the reduced resolution version of said channel of program content possesses a reduced spatial resolution compared to said program content.

26. The system of claim 1 , wherein the reduced resolution version of said channel of program content possesses a reduced temporal resolution compared to said program content.