A computer-implemented method, according to one embodiment, includes: splitting a video stream into a plurality of sub-streams, encoding each of the sub-streams in parallel, and transmitting a packet to a receiver, wherein the packet includes a number of the encoded sub-streams. Each of the sub-streams individually provide a unique version of the video stream having a lower video quality, while merging more than one of the sub-streams provides a merged version of the video stream having a relatively higher video quality. Moreover, the number of the encoded sub-streams included in the packet transmitted to the receiver corresponds to a quality of service associated with the receiver. Other systems, methods, and computer program products are described in additional embodiments.