Abstract: A method and system for generating a compressed spectral image is provided. Spectral image data including a plurality of spectral intensity values is received. The spectral intensity values are associated with a first spatial dimension (x-dimension), a second spatial dimension (y-dimension) and a wavelength dimension (?-dimension). A window is applied to the spectral image data along the ?-dimension, to select a subset of the spectral image data corresponding to a range of wavelengths. A Fourier transform is performed on the windowed spectral image data along the ?-dimension, at locations along the x-dimension and y-dimension, to generate Fourier coefficients associated with each of the locations. The Fourier transformed data is filtered by retaining a subset of the Fourier coefficients at each of the locations. Wavelet compression is performed on the filtered data along the x-dimension and the y-dimension to generate the compressed spectral image.

Abstract: A significant digit number encoding unit designates a predetermined number of coefficient data items generated from image data as a set. The maximum number of significant digits that have the greatest absolute value in relation to each set every cycle is obtained and information is encoded regarding the maximum number. An absolute value is extracted for the maximum number of each coefficient data item in a set; and the absolute value is encoded at a cycle different from that of the significant digit number encoding unit. A sign encoding unit encodes a positive or negative sign of each coefficient data item in a set whose absolute value is not 0 at a cycle different from that of the absolute value encoding unit.

Abstract: A new approach is proposed that contemplates systems and methods to support block-based compression of a compound image by skipping “don't care” blocks in the layers of the image while neither introducing significant overhead nor requiring changes to the compression method used. The block-based compression approach first segments a compound image into multiple layers and then recomposes a new set of image layers, possibly with new dimensions, from only the non-“don't care” blocks in the layers of the original image. The approach may later decompress the compressed image layers and restore the image by copying the decompressed blocks to their respective positions in the original image.

Abstract: A hierarchical system and method of encoding and compressing image data, or video data including a sequence of images. In one embodiment, a line buffer is used to hold a line of an image, and as the second line of the image is read from the input data stream, 2×2 blocks of the image are transformed, e.g., by a Hadamard transform. Each transform results in a low-frequency component and three high-frequency component. The high-frequency components are encoded, e.g., using entropy coding, and sent out to the output bit stream. The low-frequency components are pushed to the line buffer. This process is continued until enough low-frequency components have been formed to complete a 2×2 block of low-frequency components, which is then transformed. The process may be repeated hierarchically for multiple layers.

Abstract: An embodiment for encoding digital images includes: partitioning the images into image blocks, subjecting the image blocks to transform into the frequency domain, and, possibly after thresholding resulting in lossy encoding, subjecting the image blocks transformed into the frequency domain to variable length coding to produce compressed encoded image blocks. Transform into the frequency domain may be, e.g., via wavelet transform, such as Haar wavelet transform, and variable length coding may be via Exponential-Golomb codes. An embodiment may also be adapted for transferring picture data over a bus in a system such as, e.g., a System-on-Chip (SoC) by generating compressed encoded image blocks for transfer over the bus and decoding compressed encoded image blocks transferred over the bus.

Abstract: The present invention includes an image processing system with several data compression processing units connected together with a communication bus. Each data compression processing unit includes a wavelet transform processing unit, a shared register file and an address computation processing unit. The wavelet transform processing unit decomposes data from one or more segments of an image into wavelets using a discrete wavelet transform. The shared register stores the intermediate wavelet coefficient computations. The address computation processing unit identifies addresses of wavelets to be decomposed by subsequent operation of the wavelet transform processing unit. The system also includes storage where the resultant wavelet coefficients from each segment may be stored. The present invention also includes methods of compressing image data using multiple processors where each processor operates on a segment of the image data.

Abstract: The embodiment provides a method for temporal compression of one or more images. The method includes receiving the one or more images, performing temporal compression on the one or more images, and generating one or more compressed images using the temporal compression.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a two-dimensional orthogonal transform unit configured to perform two-dimensional orthogonal transform on a plurality of images, an one-dimensional orthogonal transform unit configured to perform one-dimensional orthogonal transform in a direction in which the images are arranged on two-dimensional orthogonal transform coefficient data obtained by performing the two-dimensional orthogonal transform on the images using the two-dimensional orthogonal transform unit, and a three-dimensional orthogonal transform coefficient data encoder configured to encode three-dimensional orthogonal transform coefficient data obtained by performing the one-dimensional orthogonal transform on the two-dimensional orthogonal transform coefficient data using the one-dimensional orthogonal transform unit.

Abstract: Provided are a method and apparatus for providing and reproducing a three-dimensional (3D) video content, and a computer readable recording medium storing a program to execute the method. The method of providing 3D image content includes: inserting content type information indicating whether the image content is two-dimensional (2D) image content or 3D image content into a reserved region of a Program Map Table (PMT); inserting additional information about the 3D image content into one of an Elementary Stream (ES) descriptor region of the PMT and a reserved region included in a video sequence of the ES; and multiplexing the PMT and the ES of the 3D image content so as to generate a Transport Stream (TS). Accordingly, compatibility with a conventional digital broadcasting system can be maintained and more realistic 3D image content can be provided to a user.

Abstract: An image decoding method is an image decoding method of decoding coded image data, including selecting, based on a type of a decoding target signal, an arithmetic decoding method that is used to decode the decoding target signal, from among a plurality of arithmetic decoding methods that include: a first arithmetic decoding method which is performed based on a symbol occurrence probability obtained according to a context, and which involves update of the symbol occurrence probability according to a decoding symbol; and a second arithmetic decoding method which is performed based on a symbol occurrence probability obtained according to a context, and which maintains the symbol occurrence probability that is other than 50%.

Abstract: A method for encoding pictures within a groups of pictures using prediction, where a first reference picture from a group of pictures and a second reference pictures from the subsequent group of pictures are used in predicting pictures in the group of pictures associated with the first reference picture. A plurality of anchor pictures in the group of pictures associated with the first reference picture may be predicted using both the first and second reference pictures to ensure a smooth transition between different groups of pictures within a video frame.

Abstract: A system and method for image and video compression and decompression using compressive sensing is provided. A method for decompressing a compressed image, where the compressed image having a plurality of compressed image blocks, and the method is performed on a processor, includes selecting a compressed image block, entropy decoding the selected compressed image block, and recovering an image block corresponding to the decoded selected compressed image block using compressive sensing recovery.

Abstract: A video processor is described, which is useful for implementing a forward transform process, in compliance with the H.264 standard. The video processor includes an input, for receiving a block of image data. The image data is loaded into an internal register. In response to receiving a SIMD instruction, a multiplier, which incorporates the H.264 forward transform matrix in its associated hardware, processes the block of image data, and writes the resulting partially transformed pixel data back to the internal register, transposing the data during the process.

Abstract: A method for removing boundary distortion includes receiving a one-dimensional input signal and determining whether the one-dimensional input signal includes an even number of data elements. If the one-dimensional input signal includes an even number of data elements, an extrapolation operation is performed on one of a first or second boundary of the one-dimensional input signal. The extrapolation operation produces one additional data element. The method may further include performing a mirroring operation on the signal data resulting from the extrapolation operation to produce a mirrored signal, and performing a transform operation the mirrored signal.

Abstract: A method of improving accuracy and reliability of motion estimation is described herein. In one aspect, a 2D neighborhood of phase correlation peak is approximated with an outer-product of two 1D vectors to eliminate the sub-pixel error. In another aspect, estimation of reliability is improved. In yet another aspect, two-pass phase correlation is implemented to eliminate sub-pel motion bias.

Abstract: A video processor is described, which is useful for implementing a Hadamard transform process, in compliance with the H.264 standard. The video processor includes an input, for receiving a block of image data. The image data is loaded into an internal register. In response to receiving a SIMD instruction, a multiplier, which incorporates the H.264 Hadamard transform matrix in its associated hardware, processes the block of image data, and writes the resulting partially transformed pixel data back to the internal register, transposing the data during the process.

Abstract: Acquired mask data of a defect portion is sent to a simulated repair circuit 300 to be simulated. The simulation of the acquired mask data 204 is returned to the mask inspection results 205 and thereafter sent to a wafer transfer simulator 400 along with a reference image at the corresponding portion. A wafer transfer image estimated by the wafer transfer simulator 400 is sent to a comparing circuit 301. When it is determined that there is a defect in the comparing circuit 301, the coordinates and the wafer transfer image which is a basis for the defect determination are stored as transfer image inspection results 206. The mask inspection results 205 and the transfer image inspection result 206 are then sent to the review device 500.

Abstract: A method, in one embodiment, can include performing difference transformation of image samples. In addition, the method can also include performing length selection. Furthermore; the method can include performing packing that includes utilizing varying sized bit fields to produce a compressed representation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an image enhancement apparatus for enhancing an input image of a sequence of input images. To provide the ability to increase the resolution of an input image and/or to temporally reduce artifacts and/or noise in an input image, the apparatus comprises a motion compensation unit, a weighted selection unit, a feature analysis unit, an image model unit configured to generate a modelled image by applying an image model on said input image and/or said weighted selection image, a spatio-temporal detail signal generation unit configured to generate a detail signal from said input image and said weighted selection image, and a combination unit configured to generate said enhanced output image from said input image, said detail signal and said modelled image.

Abstract: A Hadamard transform-based image compression method includes performing a Hadamard transform on 2k pixel values according to a product of a 2k×2k stage Hadamard matrix and a 2k×2k adjustment matrix to generate 2k conversion values, where k is a positive integer and at least one of the 2k conversion values is zero. The adjustment matrix satisfies a condition that: when the 2k pixel values are divided into G pixel groups each comprising 2k/G adjacent pixels values and the adjustment matrix is multiplied with a first 2k×1 matrix formed by the 2k pixel values to transform the first 2k×1 matrix to a second 2k×1 matrix, each pixel value of the first matrix is transformed to an average of a pixel group comprising the pixel value to form the second 2k×1 matrix.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a compression unit is provided which may perform compression of a pixel stream. Similarly, a decompression unit may be provided which may decompress the compressed pixel stream. The compression and decompression units may include a streaming wavelet transform, which may perform the wavelet transform through a pipeline of wavelet operations. Each section of the pipeline may perform a pass of the wavelet transform on the pixel stream, and the section may provide input to another section of the pipeline that performs a next pass of the wavelet transform. The transform may thus be performed on the fly as the pixels are received.

Abstract: A data compression system and a data compression method using the same are provided. The data compression method includes acquiring original data from a memory and performs image processing and quantization on the original data to transform the original data into a quantization matrix. The data compression method then transforms the quantization matrix into a digital sequence based on a coding table and compares the data volume of the digital sequence and a target volume to generate a volume difference. The data compression method transforms the digital sequence into an inverse quantization matrix based on the volume difference and then transforms the inverse quantization matrix into a modified digital sequence based on the volume difference. The data compression method repeats the processes until the data volume of the digital sequence is substantially equal to a target volume or within an acceptable range of the target volume.

Abstract: Decoding tasks are identified for decoding encoded video. Decoding tasks may include entropy decoding tasks, motion compensation tasks, inverse frequency transform tasks, inverse quantization tasks, intra decoding tasks, loop filtering tasks, or other tasks. Task dependencies are identified for the video decoding tasks. For example, one or more decoding tasks may depend on prior completion of entropy decoding tasks. The decoding tasks are prioritized based at least in part on the task dependencies. For example, a higher priority may be assigned to tasks that must be completed before other tasks that depend on them can begin. Prioritized decoding tasks are selected to be performed by hardware threads. For example, a first hardware thread may perform a first decoding task that does not depend on any uncompleted tasks while a second hardware thread performs a second decoding task that does not depend on any uncompleted tasks.

Abstract: Acquired mask data of a defect portion is sent to a simulated repair circuit 300 to be simulated. The simulation of the acquired mask data 204 is returned to the mask inspection results 205 and thereafter sent to a wafer transfer simulator 400 along with a reference image at the corresponding portion. A wafer transfer image estimated by the wafer transfer simulator 400 is sent to a comparing circuit 301. When it is determined that there is a defect in the comparing circuit 301, the coordinates and the wafer transfer image which is a basis for the defect determination are stored as transfer image inspection results 206. The mask inspection results 205 and the transfer image inspection result 206 are then sent to the review device 500.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a two-dimensional orthogonal transform coding data acquisition unit for sequentially acquiring two-dimensional orthogonal transform coding data acquired by transforming three-dimensional orthogonal transform coding data generated from a plurality of images, a two-dimensional orthogonal transform coefficient data generation unit for generating a plurality of pieces of two-dimensional orthogonal transform coefficient data using the plurality of pieces of acquired two-dimensional orthogonal transform coding data, and a three-dimensional transformation unit for encoding three-dimensional orthogonal transform coefficient data acquired by transforming the plurality of pieces of generated two-dimensional orthogonal transform coefficient data.

Abstract: Encoding image data and mask information to be used for matte images and for image and video matting. Image data and mask information for pixels of the image data in a first representation domain are accessed. The mask information defines background pixels and foreground pixels. The image data in the first representation domain is transformed to a second representation domain. Mask information in the second representation domain is determined by using the mask information in the first representation domain. The image data in the second representation domain is masked by setting image data to zero for background pixels as defined by the determined mask information in the second representation domain. The masked image data in the second representation domain is encoded.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, to eliminate DC leakage into surrounding AC values, scaling stage within a photo overlap transform operator is modified such that the off-diagonal elements of the associated scaling matrix have the values of 0. In certain embodiments, the on-diagonal scaling matrix are given the values (0.5, 2). In some embodiments, the scaling is performed using a combination of reversible modulo arithmetic and lifting steps. In yet other embodiments, amount of DC leakage is estimated at the encoder, and preprocessing occurs to mitigate amount of leakage, with the bitstream signaling that preprocessing has occurred. A decoder may then read the signal and use the information to mitigate DC leakage.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for obtaining a size of a transform block, where the method includes: obtaining a dividing manner of an image block; and obtaining size information of a post-dividing transform block according to the dividing manner of the image block and a width and a height of a pre-dividing transform block. By using the method for obtaining a size of a transform block provided in this embodiment of the present disclosure, a size of a transform block may be coded according to a dividing manner of an image block or a height and a width of a pre-dividing transform block, thereby effectively improving coding efficiency.

Abstract: A method for scanning MacroBlocks in video compression and selecting alternative sized Large Macroblocks accordingly. The scanning pattern is divided into scanning fragments with a size corresponding to different possible Large Macroblocks. This allows for varying the size of the selected Macroblocks, based on minimizing distortion and/or bit rate consumption.

Abstract: A video transmission method is provided, which includes receiving state information from at least one mobile terminal that intends to perform a video stream service through a wireless network, determining a size of an image by selecting a specified spatial layer bit stream on the basis of the state information of the mobile terminal from a plurality of spatial layer bit streams generated at different bit rates during encoding of the bit stream, selecting a specified time and an SNR layer bit stream by increasing or decreasing time of the image and a layer position of the SNR layer bit stream on the basis of network parameters included in the state information of the mobile terminal, and transmitting the bit stream generated by extracting the specified layer bit stream of the selected layer to the mobile terminal.

Abstract: A method for encoding video or images includes receiving input data associated with a block within a video or image frame and performing a transform of the input data to produce a first set of output coefficients. The method also includes receiving the first set of output coefficients and performing a second transform to produce a second set of output coefficients. The method further includes quantizing the second set of output coefficients. The second transform is performed using a rotational transform matrix that is selected to maximize a degree of orthogonality of the rotational transform matrix.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention provides a method for acquiring position information of a transform block. The method includes: obtaining a splitting manner of an image block; obtaining splitting direction information according to the splitting manner of the image block and a splitting layer number of a transform block, or obtaining splitting direction information according to the splitting manner of the image block and a numerical relationship between a width and a height of a transform block; and obtaining position information of a post-splitting transform block according to the splitting direction information. In embodiments of the present invention, splitting direction information is obtained directly according to a splitting manner of an image block and a layer number, and then, size information of a transform block is coded according to the splitting direction information, thereby effectively reducing complexity of a coding process.

Abstract: An encoder is operable to encode input data to generate corresponding encoded output data. The encoder includes data processing hardware. The encoder compresses content associated with blocks or packets, so that the encoded output data is smaller in size than the input data.

Abstract: Analysis filter processing is recursively repeated on horizontal and vertical low frequency component coefficients obtained as a result of the analysis filter processing, until a predetermined decomposition level is reached. Coefficients obtained during a process of computation in the analysis filter processing and, except for a preset decomposition level, horizontal and vertical low frequency component coefficients obtained as a result of the computation in the analysis filter processing are stored in a first storage section independently for each decomposition level. The coefficients stored in the first storage section are read as appropriate and the read coefficients are supplied for the analysis filter processing. The horizontal and vertical low frequency component coefficients of the preset decomposition level are stored in a second storage section. The coefficients stored in the second storage section are read as appropriate. The read coefficients are supplied for the analysis filter processing.

Abstract: A method and system for performing a 2D transform is disclosed. The 2D transform may include a row transform and/or a column transform. When performing the row or column transform, it may be determined whether each of different subsets of the data values including a partition of a row or column includes at least one zero value, whether each of different subsets of a first subset of the partition includes at least one zero value, and whether each of different subsets of at least one other subset of the partition includes at least one zero value. When performing the row or column transform, at least one transformation operation on at least one zero value may be bypassed or performed in a reduced-power manner, where such transformation operation would otherwise be performed in a manner consuming full power if the zero value were a non-zero value.

Abstract: A method and a system for bit reorganization and packetization of uncompressed video for transmission over wireless communication channels. The bit stream of the uncompressed video is reorganized according to importance levels of video bits. Then, various unequal protection methods such as encoding are applied to bits at different video importance levels. The reorganized and encoded information is then transmitted from a transmitter to a receiver over a wireless channel. The receiver performs the reverse steps of the transmitter, along with error detection/correction as needed, to recover the uncompressed video information.

Abstract: An invention is disclosed for performing differencing of graphical data in post-transform space for a remote presentation session. Graphical data is transformed from a first representation to a second representation (e.g. with a DWT), and then a difference is taken of the post-transform data and the post-transform data of the frame that preceded the current frame. This difference is then encoded and transmitted to a client, which decodes it, and creates a representation of the graphical data using the delta, and a previously determined representation of the previous frame. By performing differencing in post-transform space, fidelity of the remote presentation session is retained while it may decrease bandwidth. This may occur because the entropy of the delta representation is usually lower than a non-delta representation while the scheme retains the identical data of the final decoded image of the non-delta version of the same compression scheme.

Abstract: The present technique relates to image processing devices and methods that realize reductions of memory usage in orthogonal transform operations and inverse orthogonal transform operations.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method for performing and a system configured to perform a 2D transform (for example, an inverse discrete cosine transform) on each block of a sequence of data blocks, where the 2D transform includes a row transform and a column transform. To perform the row or column transform on a row or column of data, these embodiments determine whether each of different subsets of the data values comprising a partition of the row (column) includes at least one zero value, whether each of different subsets of a first subset of the partition includes at least one zero value, and whether each of different subsets of at least one other subset of the partition includes at least one zero value.

Abstract: Modified compression/decompression and metadata in burst mode images reduce the storage space consumed by burst mode images. Metadata is added to image files (e.g., EXIF files) to establish links between images in a burst mode image series. A series of linked burst mode images can include delta images representing a temporal difference between the image data (e.g., pixel data) for two burst images captured at different time instances. Difference information can be compressed. A root image for a linked burst mode series can be identified and used as a reference for other burst images. Metadata can be added to image files to link burst images prior to compression, after compression, or at an intermediate stage of compression of image data. Difference information for delta image files can be derived prior to compression, after compression, or at an intermediate stage of compression of image data.

Abstract: A system for processing a video signal into a processed video signal includes a pattern recognition module for detecting a face in the image sequence, based on coding feedback data, and generating pattern recognition data in response thereto, wherein the pattern recognition data indicates the pattern of interest. A video codec generates the processed video signal and generates the coding feedback data in conjunction with the processing of the image sequence.

Abstract: An image decoding apparatus for decoding a bit stream includes a decoding unit that decodes the bit stream and generates a chroma component of quantized coefficients. In addition, the image decoding apparatus includes a setting unit that sets a chroma quantization parameter calculated on the basis of a luma quantization parameter weighted by an addition operation that adds a weight parameter. In addition, the image decoding apparatus includes a dequantization unit that performs dequantization on the chroma component of quantized coefficients using the chroma quantization parameter. Further, the image decoding apparatus includes a transform unit that performs an inverse orthogonal transform.

Abstract: To make available a HDR image encoding mechanism with strongly improved usability, we describe an image encoding unit (301) arranged to encode a high dynamic range image (IM_HDR-in) comprising: -an LDR selector (311) for identifying a low dynamic range of luminances (R_Norml_LDR) or corresponding range of luma code values (R_LDR) within the total range of luminances (Range_HDR) covered by the high dynamic range image; -a HDR selector for selecting at least one complementary range (R_above) within the total range of luminances (Range_HDR), comprising mostly luminances not covered by the low dynamic range of luminances (R_Norml_LDR); -a code mapping unit (315) arranged to encode in a first image (Im_1*), having a luma component comprising N bit code words, pixel luminances of the high dynamic range image (IM_HDR-in) falling within the low dynamic range of luminances (R_Norml_LDR) to code values (Y_out) according to a first mapping (CMAP_L), and pixel luminances of the high dynamic range image (IM_HDR-in) fallin

Abstract: Provided are a method and apparatus for transforming an image, in which an input image is transformed into a frequency domain by selectively using a plurality of frequency transform algorithms according to a frequency characteristic of the input image. The method includes: selecting a frequency transform algorithm to be used for a current block from a plurality of frequency transform algorithms according to a result obtained by transforming frequencies of peripheral blocks adjacent to the current block; and transforming the current block into a frequency domain by using the selected frequency transform algorithm.

Abstract: At least one particular method and apparatus provide an enhanced quality low resolution image extracted from a scalable high resolution bit stream in a DCP bit stream. In various implementations, an enhancement layer is used to produce the enhanced low resolution image. The enhancement layer may include, for example, spatial-domain or frequency-domain information to be used to enhance the typical low resolution image extracted from a DCP bit stream. One specific process includes encoding a digital image into an encoded image. The encoded image is capable of being processed to provide a higher resolution decoding of the digital image and to provide a lower resolution decoding of the digital image. The process further includes encoding additional information for enhancing the lower resolution decoding to provide an enhanced lower resolution image. A complimentary signal and decoding process are also provided, as well as structures for performing the processes.

Abstract: Using scan conversion processing of changing the scan order for each block, parallel scan conversion processing is executed if possible. A scan status holding unit holds statistical information based on the appearance frequency values of coefficients in a block. A scan order holding unit holds coefficient position information in which the coefficient positions in a block are arranged based on the scan order. A significant data position information generation unit scans one block data in accordance with coefficient position information, and generates information representing nonzero/zero for each data position. Based on the statistical information and the information generated by the significant data position information generation unit, a parallel number determination unit determines whether to process two blocks in parallel or process one block. In accordance with the determination, a scan conversion unit scan-converts two input blocks in parallel or scan-converts only one of the blocks.

Abstract: A decoding method decodes a bit stream in an image decoding apparatus. The method includes decoding, in a decoding unit in the image decoding apparatus, the bit stream, and generating a luma component of quantized coefficients and a chroma component of quantized coefficients. The method also includes performing, in a dequantization unit in the image decoding apparatus, dequantization on the luma component of quantized coefficients and the chroma component of quantized coefficients using a chroma quantization parameter calculated on the basis of a luma quantization parameter weighted by an addition operation.

Abstract: A decoding method decodes a bit stream in an image decoding apparatus. The method includes receiving a weight parameter that is added to a luma quantization parameter as the bit stream. The method also includes decoding, in a decoding unit in the image decoding apparatus, the bit stream, and generating a luma component of quantized coefficients and a chroma component of quantized coefficients. Further, the method includes performing, in a dequantization unit in the image decoding apparatus, dequantization on the luma component of quantized coefficients using the luma quantization parameter and the chroma component of quantized coefficients using a chroma quantization parameter calculated on the basis of the luma quantization parameter weighted by an add operation of the weight parameter. In addition, the method includes performing, in a transform unit in the image decoding apparatus, an inverse orthogonal transform.

Abstract: An image decoding apparatus for decoding a bit stream includes a decoding unit that decodes the bit stream and generates a chroma component of quantized coefficients. The image decoding apparatus also includes a dequantization unit that performs a dequantization on the chroma component of quantized coefficients using a chroma quantization parameter calculated on the basis of a luma quantization parameter weighted by an addition operation. Further, the image decoding apparatus includes a transform unit that performs an inverse orthogonal transform.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for encoding and decoding a video stream. Each picture in a video stream can be divided into slices, each of which contains a contiguous row of macroblocks. All the blocks corresponding to a single video component within each slice can then be used as the basis for encoding the picture. By decomposing each picture into slices, the video stream can be efficiently converted for displays of varying size and/or quality. The encoded bitstream can include a slice table to allow direct access to each slice without reading the entire bitstream. Each slice can also be processed independently, allowing for parallelized encoding and/or decoding.