Add RFC: WebRTC Simulcast

Author: Sean-Der

text/0055-webrtc-simulcast.md

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+# Summary
+
+Add Simulcast support to WebRTC output.
+
+Simulcast is a WebRTC protocol feature that allows a uploader to send multiple encodes of one track. This is built into the protocol so every WebRTC
+ingest already understands this. These layers can be different resolutions, bitrates and even codecs.
+
+# Motivation
+
+The sucess/demand for this feature has already been demonstrated with [Twitch's Multiple Encodes](https://help.twitch.tv/s/article/multiple-encodes).
+These are my personal reasons I am working on this.
+
+* **Low Latency** - Transcodes add latency. WebRTC is chosen by OBS users because they want an interactive streams, transcodes break that.
+
+* **Cheaper** - Running a streaming service is expensive. This would allow more streaming services to exist and for more self hosting.
+
+* **Prevent Tampering/Ad Insertion** - WebRTC provides APIs for E2E Encryption. This means a user can upload Simulcast and share the keys viewers. Services can't modify the media anymore.
+
+* **Better Quality** - 'Free Transcodes' is a race to the bottom. Streaming sites do the cheapest/lowest quality possible (to save money). Simulcast gives control to the user.
+
+* **P2P Streaming** - Simulcast + E2E would enable P2P. You can have a mesh of viewers that distribute media to each other. Since things are E2E Encrypted you can detect tampering.
+
+# Design
+
+## Provide a `QSpinBox` with description to configure Simulcast Layers
+
+When users select `WHIP` for their service a description will appear below `Ignore streaming service setting recommendiations`.
+
+This QSBinBox will say `Simulcast Layers`. It will provide a description of what Simulcast is. This value will be 1 by default.
+This value can be 1 to 4.
+
+As they increase the number box it will show the details of what the encodes that will be generated. The encodes settings will be ratios
+derived from their current encoding settings. These settings are not editable, but it allows the user to know explicitly what is happening.
+
+```
+If user selects `Simulcast Layers: 1`
+
+* 1920x1080 5000Kbps
+```
+
+```
+If user selects `Simulcast Layers: 2`
+
+* 1920x1080 5000Kbps
+* 1440x810  3750Kbps (75%)
+```
+
+```
+If user selects `Simulcast Layers: 3`
+
+* 1920x1080 5000Kbps
+* 1440x810  3750Kbps (75%)
+* 960x540   2500Kbps (50%)
+```
+
+```
+If user selects `Simulcast Layers: 4`
+
+* 1920x1080 5000Kbps
+* 1440x810  3750Kbps (75%)
+* 960x540   2500Kbps (50%)
+* 480x270   1250Kbps (25%)
+```
+
+
+## Create multiple encoders with the requested settings.
+
+A new member will be added to the `BasicOutputHandler` class. This new member `std::vector<OBSEncoder> simulcastEncoders` will contain
+the encoders.
+
+`BasicOutputHandler` will query `SimulcastLayers`. If greater then 0 it will loop and create the encoders.
+
+## Configure PeerConnection in `obs_output_info.start`
+
+`WHIPOutput::Start` will use `obs_output_get_video_encoder2` to query how many encoders exist. It will create a WebRTC offer with the requested details.
+
+This offer contains the number of layers and the bitrate/resolution of them. The server can process this and decide to accept it or reject.
+
+The server may respond with an error that 'Simulcast Configuration was not accepted'. The user can then modify
+how many layers they send and try again. Services can configure this ahead of time in OBS.
+
+# Proposed UX
+
+## Stream Page
+
+![Service Example](./0055-webrtc-simulcast/service-page.png)
+
+## Simple Output Mode
+
+No changes will be made.
+
+## Advanced Output Mode
+
+No changes will be made.
+
+# Alternatives
+
+## Allow users to configure Bitrate/Resolution manually
+
+This would require a large amount of UI work. The consensus was this would be frustrating for users. Nothing stops this from being done in the future though.
+
+## Extend WHIP Protocol to enable 'Server Driven Configuration'
+
+WHIP is an existing protocol with many users of Simulcast already. Something that does 'Server Driven Configuration' could be added to the protocol, but
+it would have to be done in a way that doesn't break existing clients. The value/advantage of WHIP is that it maintains compatability with 13 years of WebRTC servers and clients.
+
+This is something we could take to the IETF. I don't anticipate much support since clients already have implemented 'Configuration driven by enviroment' (See point below)
+
+One possibility is `GetClientConfiguration` is opt-in and driven via `services.json`.
+
+## Configuration driven by enviroment
+
+WebRTC clients today configure the amount of layers by observing the enviroment. They measure CPU Load/Network usage and enable layers dynamically. This
+is really powerful since the use cases for OBS are so diverse. If someone is streaming a demanding game they will want less layers. If you are just streaming
+your desktop you can accomodate more.
+
+This could be possible in the future, but requires a lot more work.
+
+# Drawbacks
+
+## Additional Complexity
+
+Simulcast will add additional code to the OBS code base. If this feature is unused it would be extra burden on the project for no value.
+
+## More Compute/Network Usage
+
+Simulcast will require extra compute and network. If users encounter hardware/network overusage they will need to reduce bitrate/resolution.
+
+In the future I would like to write a dynamic simulcast feature. The WebRTC protocol allows layers to be disabled/enabled at anytime. We could detect network
+overusage and disable layers to ensure the streamer has the best experience possible. We would then re-enable them when the network and/or hardware recovers.
+
+I develop and use OBS on a T420 (a laptop from 2011). When streaming using WebRTC and using x264 I see ~6% CPU usage in OBS. With Simulcast enabled I see ~8%. I can gather
+more fine performance information if that helps.
+
+# Additional Information
+
+How these layers are played is entirely controlled by the server operator.
+
+With Broadcast Box I provide a drop down so users can explicitly choose the layer they want to watch.
+
+![Broadcast Box](./0055-webrtc-simulcast/broadcast-box.png)
+
+A better implementation would be to dynamically measure the users internet and deliver them the best rendition their internet can support.
+
+Implementation:
+* [PR](https://github.com/obsproject/obs-studio/pull/9165)