Abstract: An image processing method includes: determining a first block and a second block corresponding to a current block; dividing each of the current block, the first block and the second block into a plurality of clusters; for a cluster having a corresponding location within each of the current block, the first block and the second block, performing gradient calculations on pixel values within the cluster of the first block and pixel values within the cluster of the second block, and accordingly determining an adjustment value, wherein a window size of the cluster used in the gradient calculations is one or zero; and for a pixel within the cluster of the current block, referring to a pixel value of the pixel of the first block, a pixel value of the pixel of the second block and the adjustment value to calculate a pixel value of the pixel of the current block.

Abstract: A bit rate control method includes the following operations: receiving a first target bit of a video to be coded; determining a second target bit for first coding tree units (CTUs) in CTUs of the video according to the first target bit; determining a fourth target bit of at least one fourth CTU in the CTUs according to an actual bit of at least one second CTU in the CTUs and a third target bit of at least one third CTU in the CTUs, in which the at least one second CTU is completely coded, the at least one third CTU is completely coded, and a coding of the at least one fourth CTU is not started; and sequentially adjusting at least one coding parameter for coding the video according to the second target bit, the third target bit, and the fourth target bit.

Abstract: A selection module for selecting an intra mode comprises a histogram of oriented gradient (HOG) module, for receiving a coding unit (CU), to select four angular modes from 33 angular modes of the CU, a DC mode of the CU and a planar mode of the CU; and a decision module, couple to the HOG module, for receiving the six modes from the HOG module, to compare the six modes according to a Split Sum of Absolute Transformed Difference (SSATD) algorithm, to select one of the six modes.

Abstract: A selection module for selecting an intra mode comprises a histogram of oriented gradient (HOG) module, for receiving a coding unit (CU), to select four angular modes from 33 angular modes of the CU, a DC mode of the CU and a planar mode of the CU; and a decision module, couple to the HOG module, for receiving the six modes from the HOG module, to compare the six modes according to a Split Sum of Absolute Transformed Difference (SSATD) algorithm, to select one of the six modes.

Abstract: A transmitter for handling multiple formats of a video sequence, comprises a preprocessing module, for receiving a first format of a video sequence, to generate metadata of a second format of the video sequence according to the first format of the video sequence and the second format of the video sequence; and an encoder, couple to the preprocessing module, for transmitting the first format of the video sequence and the metadata in a bit stream to a receiver.

Abstract: A transmitter for handling multiple formats of a video sequence, comprises a preprocessing module, for receiving a first format of a video sequence, to generate metadata of a second format of the video sequence according to the first format of the video sequence and the second format of the video sequence; and an encoder, couple to the preprocessing module, for transmitting the first format of the video sequence and the metadata in a bit stream to a receiver.

Abstract: A decoding method is adapted to be implemented using a Context-based Adaptive Binary Arithmetic Coding (CABAC) decoding apparatus, and includes: initializing a plurality of context variables; storing the context variables; performing arithmetic decoding of a syntax element according to the context variables so as to output a decoded syntax element and an update signal; and updating at least one of the context variables according to the update signal. At least one of the context variables is pre-initialized in the initializing step before a bit stream ready.

Abstract: A multimedia decoding apparatus and method thereof can accelerate decoding speed. The multimedia decoding apparatus is adapted for decoding a multimedia packet that includes a header portion and a data portion. The multimedia decoding apparatus includes a header parsing module, a storage unit, and a data processing module. The header parsing module receives the multimedia packet and parses the header portion of the multimedia packet to output at least one parameter. The storage unit is coupled to the header parsing module for storing the parameter and the data portion of the multimedia packet. The data processing module is coupled to the storage unit for processing the data portion of the multimedia packet according to the parameter. When the data processing module processes the data portion of the multimedia packet, the header parsing module parses the header portion of another multimedia packet simultaneously.

Abstract: A decoder for compressed video signals comprises a central processing unit (CPU), a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) controller, a variable length code (VLC) decoder, a pixel filter and a video output unit. The microcoded CPU performs dequantization and inverse cosine transform using a pipelined data path, which includes both general purpose and special purpose hardware. In one embodiment, the VLC decoder is implemented as a table-driven state machine where the table contains both control information and decoded values.