HTTP Adaptive Streaming: A Review on Current Advances and Future Challenges

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Christian Timmerer, Hadi Amirpour, Farzad Tashtarian, Samira Afzal, Amr Rizk, Michael Zink, Hermann Hellwagner

Published: 2025, Last Modified: 27 Feb 2026ACM Trans. Multim. Comput. Commun. Appl. 2025EveryoneRevisionsBibTeXCC BY-SA 4.0
Abstract: Video streaming has evolved from push-based, broad-/multicasting approaches with dedicated hard-/software infrastructures to pull-based unicast schemes utilizing existing Web-based infrastructure to allow for better scalability. In this article, we provide an overview of the foundational principles of HTTP Adaptive Streaming (HAS), from video encoding to end user consumption, while focusing on the key advancements in adaptive bitrate algorithms, Quality of Experience (QoE), and energy efficiency. Furthermore, the article highlights the ongoing challenges of optimizing network infrastructure, minimizing latency, and managing the environmental impact of video streaming. Finally, future directions for HAS, including immersive media streaming and neural network-based video codecs, are discussed, positioning HAS at the forefront of next-generation video delivery technologies.