Abstract: A statistical multiplexing apparatus and method for generating and combining a plurality of encoded video bit streams. A storage device contains pre-stored a priori statistics indicative of the encoding complexity of the video signals from which the encoded video bit streams will be generated. The pre-stored a priori statistics may include inter-pixel differences in the same picture or between multiple pictures or pre-encoding a priori statistics generated during a preliminary encoding of the video signals. Examples of pre-encoding a priori statistics include the number of bits per picture at a given quantization level, an average quantization level, picture types, scene change locations and repeat field for one or more of the video bit streams. The video signals are applied to encoders which compress the signals in accordance with bit allocation decisions generated by a statistics computer.

Abstract: A statistical multiplexing apparatus and method for generating and combining a plurality of encoded video bit streams. A storage device contains pre-stored a priori statistics indicative of the encoding complexity of the video signals from which the encoded video bit streams will be generated. The pre-stored a priori statistics may include inter-pixel differences in the same picture or between multiple pictures or pre-encoding a priori statistics generated during a preliminary encoding of the video signals. Examples of pre-encoding a priori statistics include the number of bits per picture at a given quantization level, an average quantization level, picture types, scene change locations and repeat field for one or more of the video bit streams. The video signals are applied to encoders which compress the signals in accordance with bit allocation decisions generated by a statistics computer.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for compressing multiple resolution versions of a video signal are disclosed. A first resolution version of a video signal is applied to an input of a first video compressor and to an input of a video scaler. The first video compressor encodes the first resolution version of the video signal to generate a first compressed video bit stream. The video scaler generates a reduced resolution version of the video signal from the first resolution version. The reduced resolution version is supplied to a second video compressor and to the first video compressor. The first video compressor utilizes the reduced resolution version of the video signal in performing a hierarchical motion estimation (ME) search as part of the encoding process for the first resolution version. The second video compressor encodes the reduced resolution version to generate a second compressed bit stream.

Abstract: A rate control algorithm for an MPEG-2 compliant encoder has embodiments useful for constant bit rate and variable bit rate encoding. In particular, the present invention relates to variable bit rate encoding.

Abstract: A rate control algorithm for an MPEG-2 compliant encoder is described. The rate control algorithm has embodiments useful for constant bit rate and variable bit rate encoding. In particular, the invention relates to scene change detection.

Abstract: A rate control algorithm for an MPEG-2 compliant encoder wherein the rate control algorithm has embodiments useful for constant bit rate and variable bit rate encoding. In particular, the present invention relates to statistical multiplexing.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and apparatus for filtering an input video frame sequence to be encoded. An odd-tap filter is used to generate a first interpolated pixel from a group of pixels in an even field of the video sequence. An even-tap filter is used to generate a second interpolated pixel from a group of pixels in an odd field of the video sequence. The use of the even-tap filter for the group of pixels in the odd field ensures that the interpolated pixels generated for both the odd and even fields are located at substantially the same vertical location. This significantly reduces an undesirable vertical signal component which would otherwise be generated when the first and second interpolated pixels are subtracted as part of a field comparison operation. The resulting improvement in field comparison accuracy provides advantages in a variety of video preprocessing applications such as deinterlacing, inverse telecine processing, adaptive field/frame filtering and PAL video framing.

Abstract: A rate control algorithm for an MPEG-2 compliant encoder is described. The rate control algorithm has embodiments useful for constant bit rate and variable bit rate encoding.In particular, the present invention relates to statistical multiplexing.

Abstract: A rate control algorithm for an MPEG-2 compliant encoder is described. The rate control algorithm has embodiments useful for constant bit rate and variable bit rate encoding. In particular, the invention relates to rate control with panic mode.

Abstract: A rate control algorithm for an MPEG-2 compliant encoder is described. The rate control algorithm has embodiments useful for constant bit rate and variable bit rate encoding. In particular, the present invention relates to the overall rate control implementation.

Abstract: A method and system for performing inverse telecine processing requires a minimum amount of memory capacity. Specifically, the inverse telecine processing technique requires only first and second dual field buffers. The first dual field buffer has a first even buffer (1E) and a first odd buffer (1O). The second dual field buffer has a second even buffer (2E) and a second odd buffer (2O). The input video sequence to be processed comprises a sequence of video fields of alternating even and odd parity. The even fields of the input sequence are written into the even buffers of the two dual field buffers on an alternating basis and the odd fields of the input sequence are written into the odd buffers of the dual field buffers on an alternating basis. This order is changed (i.e., toggled) when a repeat field is detected. The repeat field is dropped by writing over it with the next field of the same parity in the input sequence.

Abstract: A rate control algorithm for an MPEG-2 compliant encoder. The rate control has embodiments useful for constant bit rate and variable bit rate encoding of video frames. The present invention relates to statistical multiplexing, virtual buffers and virtual buffer verifiers.

Abstract: A rate control algorithm for an MPEG-2 compliant encoder is described. The rate control algorithm has embodiments useful for constant bit rate and variable bit rate encoding.In particular, the invention relates to a quantization biased, activity based inter/intra decision.