Abstract: Coding of a video signal is provided according to a predefined standard, wherein in a given operation mode some of the tools provided by the predefined standard are disabled, and wherein an identification of the disabled tools is included in the bit-stream, the disabled tools being one or more out of the group of: bidirectional predictive coding of pictures or picture parts, use of a de-blocking filter, use of more than one reference picture.

Abstract: Method for encoding a digital video stream, comprising the steps of encoding a video sequence into a full frame sequence, forming a decimated frame sequence by removing a predetermined number of frames from the full frame sequence by means of temporal decimation, locally decoding the full frame sequence, locally decoding the decimated frame sequence, temporally interpolating the decoded decimated frame sequence by means of an interpolator, comparing the locally decoded frames of the full frame sequence with the corresponding frames of the locally interpolated frame sequence, determining residual information for a frame based on at least the comparison for that frame, and providing an output stream comprising the decimated frame sequence and the determined residual information.

Abstract: In macroblock-based coding systems such as MPEG-1 video, MPEG-2 video and MPEG-4 visual, an encoder in the invention decides on macroblock level whether the macroblock is to be encoded or whether local motion-compensated interpolation processing at a compatible decoder can be used to reconstruct the macroblock. In the latter case, the macroblock is skipped. If the decoder detects a skipped macroblock, the decoder reconstructs the macroblock and overwrites the data conventionally generated in MPEG under the skipped macro-block condition.

Abstract: Techniques utilising Time Scale Modification (TSM) of signals are described. The signal is analysed and divided into frames of similar signal types. Techniques specific to the signal type are then applied to the frames thereby optimising the modification process. The method of the present invention enables TSM of different audio signal parts to be realized using different methods, and a system for effecting said method is also described.