Transmitting delay-sensitive video streaming over IEEE 802.11e wireless local area networks (WLANs) is becoming increasingly popular. However, the transmission of real-time video streaming is very challenging because of the time-varying wireless channels and video content characteristics. The authors propose an accurate model to assess the perceived quality of video streaming over WLANs with enhanced distributed coordination function (EDCF) mechanism. The analytical model considers not only the packet loss caused by wireless interference and channel fading, but also the effects of loss from channel access competition. Based on the Markov chain, the authors then present the discrete probability distribution of medium access control (MAC) layer packet service time by using the signal transfer function of the generalised state transition diagram. Moreover, the coding relation of lost video frames is also explored in the performance analysis of the proposed model. Simulations based on Network Simulator 2 (NS-2) are conducted to verify the performance of the analytical model. The results show that the proposed model provides superior accuracy for the perceived quality of MPEG-4 video streaming over IEEE 802.11e EDCF-based WLANs.