Abstract: There are provided methods and apparatus for the use of slice groups in encoding and decoding multi-view video coding (MVC) information. An apparatus and method are described which encodes at least two views corresponding to multi-view video content using multiple slice groups. Furthermore, an apparatus and method are described for decoding at least two views corresponding to multi-view video content using multiple slice groups.

Abstract: A method comprising the steps of outputting periodically a schedule for a transmission of a plurality of multimedia contents to a client receiver over a unidirectional data communication channel; transmitting said schedule to said client receiver over said communication channel before said transmission of said plurality of multimedia contents, said schedule including a metadata indicating a plurality of broadcast times for respective ones of said plurality of multimedia contents for selectively activating said client receiver in accordance with said plurality of broadcast times; estimating first and second available bandwidths of said communication channel at respective ones of first and second points in time; selecting one multimedia content file of a given compression level for transmission in response to a change of available bandwidth of said communication channel between said first and second points in time so that said plurality of multimedia contents may be received at said client receiver in accordanc

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for redundant video coding. The apparatus includes an encoder for encoding a redundant coded picture corresponding to a source picture by selecting individual blocks in the source picture for inclusion into the redundant coded picture.

Abstract: There are provided methods and apparatus for the use of slice groups in encoding and decoding multi-view video coding (MVC) information. An apparatus and method are described which encodes at least two views corresponding to multi-view video content using multiple slice groups. Furthermore, an apparatus and method are described for decoding at least two views corresponding to multi-view video content using multiple slice groups.

Abstract: A video decoder, and corresponding method are described for enabling fast channel change of compressed video, where a video decoder for receiving compressed stream data and providing decompressed video output includes receiving the compressed stream data and separating the normal stream and the channel change stream, a normal decoding portion for selectably receiving the compressed normal and channel change streams, and providing decompressed video output, and a normal frame store in signal communication with the normal decoding portion for storing reference pictures.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for motion estimation using combined reference bi-prediction. The apparatus includes an encoder (200) for encoding a multi-prediction picture from a combination of two or more reference pictures by respectively predicting a motion vector for a particular one of the two or more reference pictures in a motion estimation process while initializing motion vectors for remaining ones of the two or more reference pictures to a predefined value for use by the motion estimation process.

Abstract: There is provided methods and apparatus for enabling a fast channel change for a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) system. A channel change processing unit for enabling a channel change in a DSL system includes a demultiplexer (132) and a selector (134) in signal communication with the demultiplexer. The demultiplexer (132) is for receiving a normal stream and a channel change stream. The selector (134) is for receiving a channel change request and for sending the channel change stream in response to receiving the channel change request. The channel change stream coded pictures are of a lower quality than the normal stream coded pictures.

Abstract: A video encoder and corresponding methods are provided for selecting the mode of a current macroblock of an inter-coded frame, including one or more of checking first modes for a subset of macroblock modes, selectively checking other modes in response to motion vector information of the checked first modes, and selecting the mode for the current macroblock in response to the checked modes; checking the macroblock mode of at least one neighboring macroblock, and selecting the mode for the current macroblock in response to the macroblock mode of the at least one checked neighboring macroblock; checking the cost of a subset of macroblock modes, further checking only intra-coded modes if the checked cost meets a preset criteria, and selecting the mode for the current macroblock in response to the checked modes; and adjusting an early-stopping threshold in response to checked macroblock modes, and selecting the mode for the current macroblock in response to the checked macroblock modes if the adjusted early-stoppi

Abstract: There are provided methods and apparatus for block-based error concealment. An apparatus includes an error concealment module for concealing a current block in a lost picture in a group of pictures by using a last available inter-coded picture in a previous group of pictures, when the lost picture is a first inter-coded picture in the group of pictures. The group of pictures has a pattern characterized as an intra-coded picture followed by a sequence of inter-coded pictures.

Abstract: Detection of errors in a video stream occurs by calculating an error detection code, such as a Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC) code over a group of not more than N macroblocks in a slice of the stream prior and after transmission, where N is an integer greater than zero but less than the total number of macroblocks in the slice. A comparison of the error detection codes reveals whether any errors exist in the group of macroblocks. If the group has no errors, normal decoding occurs. If the macroblock group has an error, then the macroblock group, and the remaining blocks in the slice undergo error concealment.

Abstract: A video decoder, and corresponding method are described for enabling fast channel change of compressed video, where a video decoder for receiving compressed stream data and providing decompressed video output includes a demultiplexor for receiving the compressed stream data and separating the normal stream and the channel change stream, a normal decoding portion in signal communication with the demultiplexor for selectably receiving the compressed normal and channel change streams, and providing decompressed video output, and a normal frame store in signal communication with the normal decoding portion for storing reference pictures.

Abstract: There are provided encoders, decoders and corresponding encoding and decoding methods. A reduced resolution update based video encoder for encoding video data divisible into macroblocks includes a memory device, a downsampler, INTRA coding means, an encoder, a decoder, and an upsampler. The memory device is for storing reduced resolution neighboring pixels. The downsampler is for downsampling a full resolution macroblock to obtain a reduced resolution macroblock. The INTRA coding means is for performing INTRA prediction for the reduced resolution macroblock using the stored reduced resolution neighboring pixels. The encoder is for encoding residual data for the reduced resolution macroblock. The decoder is for decoding the residual data for the reduced resolution macroblock to form a reconstructed low resolution INTRA coded macroblock. The upsampler is for upsampling the reconstructed low resolution INTRA coded macroblock to form a full resolution INTRA coded macroblock.

Abstract: There is provided methods and apparatus for enabling a fast channel change for a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) system. A channel change processing unit for enabling a channel change in a DSL system includes a demultiplexer and a selector in signal communication with the demultiplexer. The demultiplexer is for receiving a normal stream and a channel change stream. The selector is for receiving a channel change request and for sending the channel change stream in response to receiving the channel change request. The channel change stream coded pictures are of a lower quality than the normal stream coded pictures.

Abstract: There are provided methods and apparatus for film grain SEI message insertion for bit-accurate simulation in a video system. A method for simulating film grain in an ordered sequence includes the steps of providing film grain supplemental information corresponding to a plurality of intra coded pictures, and providing additional film grain supplemental information corresponding to inter coded pictures between consecutive intra coded pictures, in decode order. The inter coded pictures are selected based upon display order.

Abstract: There are provided method and apparatus for use in a multi-view video coding system. The apparatus includes an encoder for encoding at least two views corresponding to multi-view video content into a resultant bitstream, wherein the resultant bitstream is encoded to include view specific information. The view specific information indicates a decoding interdependency between at least some of the at least two views.

Abstract: A video encoder is disclosed, the encoder for encoding image frames that are divisible into macroblocks. The video encoder includes means for generating a QP estimate for the macroblocks of an image frame. The video encoder further includes means for selection of a frame level quantization parameter (QP) for the image frame, using one of mean, median, and mode of QP estimates for the macroblocks. A method for encoding video is disclosed for encoding image frames that are divisible into macroblocks. The method generates a quantization parameter (QP) estimate for the macroblocks of an image frame and selects a frame level QP for the image frame, using one of mean, median, and mode of QP estimates for the macroblocks.

Abstract: There are provided scalable video encoders, scalable video decoders, and corresponding scalable video encoding and decoding methods. A scalable video encoder includes an encoder for encoding a block in an enhancement layer of a picture by using a motion vector that corresponds to a block in a lower layer of the picture as a motion vector predictor for the block in the enhancement layer, and using a weighting parameter that was applied to a particular lower layer reference picture to encode the block in the lower layer for motion compensation of the block in the enhancement layer. The block in the enhancement layer corresponds to the block in the lower layer.

Abstract: A video encoder and corresponding method are described for enabling fast channel change of compressed video, where a video encoder for receiving input pictures and providing compressed stream data includes a normal encoding portion for receiving input pictures and providing normal stream data, a lower-quality encoding portion for receiving input pictures and providing channel change stream data, and a multiplexor in signal communication with each of the normal and lower-quality portions for receiving and combining the normal and channel change data streams.

Abstract: A video decoder, encoder, and corresponding methods for processing video data for an image block and a particular reference picture index to predict the image block are disclosed that utilize adaptive weighting of reference pictures to enhance video compression, where a decoder includes a reference picture weighting factor unit for determining a weighting factor corresponding to the particular reference picture index; an encoder includes a reference picture weighting factor assignor for assigning a weighting factor corresponding to the particular reference picture index; and a method for decoding includes receiving a reference picture index with the data that corresponds to the image block, determining a weighting factor for each received reference picture index, retrieving a reference picture for each index, motion compensating the retrieved reference picture, and multiplying the motion compensated reference picture by the corresponding weighting factor to form a weighted motion compensated reference picture

Abstract: According to an implementation, a value of distortion is determined. The value is associated with at least a portion of a particular picture in a series of pictures. The value is based on distortion in the particular picture that is attributable to error in the particular picture or in a previous picture in the series. The value is also based on distortion in a subsequent picture in the series that is attributable to error in the particular picture or in a previous picture.