Abstract: Examples of methods and apparatus for performing wavefront parallel decode of video bitstreams are described herein. An example apparatus includes a CABAC decoder configured to decode a CABAC bitstream and generate an output bitstream. The output bitstream contains a plurality of NAL units, each NAL unit being associated with a respective row of a macroblock. The apparatus includes an extractor block configured to extract entry point information associated with a row, and a memory configured to store the extracted entry point information associated with the row. The apparatus includes an insertion block configured to read from the memory the entry point information and insert the entry point information into the NAL unit associated with the row. The plurality of NAL units are provided to at least one macroblock decoder for performing parallel wavefront decode on the output bitstream.

Abstract: A video encoding method for encoding a stream of baseband video data. The stream of baseband video data is received as a plurality of coding units. Statistics of each coding unit in the plurality of coding units are gathered. A quantization parameter (QP) for each coding unit is determined from the corresponding statistics. The coding unit is trial encoded using the QP to generate a trial encoded coding unit; and the QP is updated based on the trial encoded coding unit. Trial encoding the coding unit and updating the QP are repeated until the trial encoded coding unit meets a predetermined criterion. Then the coding unit is final encoded using the updated QP to generate a final encoded coding unit.

Abstract: Examples of systems, apparatuses, and methods for to transcoding a bitstream are described herein. An example content distribution system may include an interconnect configured to provide encoded video data from an encoder to a decoder. The interconnect is configured to receive a bitstream including the encoded video data from the encoder. The bitstream is encoded using a first lossless coding methodology. The interconnect including a transcoder configured to transcode the bitstream using a second lossless coding methodology to provide a transcoded bitstream.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for initializing a CABAC state are disclosed herein. An example apparatus may include an encoder configured to receive a macroblock dependent on at least one unencoded macroblock. The encoder may further be configured to receive a plurality of CABAC states and initialize CABAC in accordance with one of the plurality of CABAC states to encode the macroblock prior to the at least one unencoded macroblock being encoded.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for optimizing rate-distortion of syntax elements are disclosed herein. An optimization block may be used in a video encoder and may include a candidate generation block and a best cost block. The optimization block may be configured to generate a plurality of candidates corresponding to respective differential levels. Each of the plurality of candidates may be based, at least in part, on a DC coefficient and provide a respective rate-distortion cost. The best cost block may be coupled to the candidate generation block and may be configured to select a candidate of the plurality of candidates according to a criteria.

Abstract: A technique to perform filtering of ringing artifacts is disclosed herein. An example apparatus may include a decoder configured to receive a bitstream, decode the bitstream into blocks, identify conditions in the blocks associated with generation of ringing artifacts, and filter the ringing artifacts from one or more of the blocks responsive to identification of the conditions by the decoder. An example method may include detecting conditions in a bitstream that lead to ringing artifacts, configuring a filter based on the conditions, and filtering the ringing artifacts from blocks of decoded bitstream.

Abstract: Examples of methods and apparatuses for estimating bit counts of a bitstream are described herein. An entropy encoder may include a bitstream encoding module and a bit count estimation module. The bitstream encoding module may be configured to encode a plurality of syntax elements according to a first encoding technique. The bit count estimation module may be configured to provide estimated bit counts for encoding the plurality of syntax elements according to a second encoding technique. In at least one embodiment, the bitstream encoding module may be further configured to encode the plurality of syntax elements based on the estimated bit counts.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for optimizing rate-distortion costs of a signal are disclosed. An apparatus may include an encoder. The encoder may be configured to receive a video signal and provide a residual indicative of a difference between the video signal and a reconstructed video signal. The encoder may further be configured to perform a transform on the residual to provide a plurality of transform coefficients and rate-distortion optimize the plurality of transform coefficients in accordance with an HEVC state transition scheme to provide a rate-distortion optimized plurality of quantized coefficients. The encoder may further be configured to encode the plurality of quantized coefficients in accordance with context-adaptive binary arithmetic coding.

Abstract: Examples of methods and apparatus for performing wavefront parallel decode of video bitstreams are described herein. An example apparatus includes a cabac decoder configured to decode a cabac bitstream and generate an output bitstream. The output bitstream contains a plurality of NAL units, each NAL unit being associated with a respective row of a macroblock. The apparatus includes an extractor block configured to extract entry point information associated with a row, and a memory configured to store the extracted entry point information associated with the row. The apparatus includes an insertion block configured to read from the memory the entry point information and insert the entry point information into the NAL unit associated with the row. The plurality of NAL units are provided to at least one macroblock decoder for performing parallel wavefront decode on the output bitstream.

Abstract: A technique to perform filtering of ringing artifacts is disclosed herein. An example apparatus may include a decoder configured to receive a bitstream, decode the bitstream into blocks, identify conditions in the blocks associated with generation of ringing artifacts, and filter the ringing artifacts from one or more of the blocks responsive to identification of the conditions by the decoder. An example method may include detecting conditions in a bitstream that lead to ringing artifacts, configuring a filter based on the conditions, and filtering the ringing artifacts from blocks of decoded bitstream.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for optimizing rate-distortion costs in a signal are disclosed. An apparatus may comprise a quantization block that may be configured to generate a plurality of candidates for each of a plurality of coefficients. The quantization block may further generate a respective plurality of arcs based, at least in part, on the plurality of candidates. The quantization block may be configured to determine which of the plurality of arcs has a lowest cost using a trellis optimization technique. Fractional bit estimations may be used to calculate rate, and inverse lambda may be used to calculate candidate coefficients.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for optimizing rate-distortion costs in a signal are disclosed herein. An apparatus may comprise a quantization block that may be configured to serially receive a plurality of coefficients and to generate a plurality of candidates for each of a plurality of coefficients. The quantization block may further be configured to generate a respective arc for each of the candidates having a respective rate and in accordance with the MPEG-2 coding standard. The quantization block may further be configured to identify which of the plurality of arcs has a minimum cost and provide a modified plurality of coefficients associated with the minimum cost arc.

Abstract: Examples of methods and apparatuses for performing video quantization rate distortion calculations are described herein. An example apparatus may include an encoder configured to encode a macroblock of a frame. The encoder including a rate-distortion (RD) calculator configured to individually quantize a set of coefficient blocks using each of a subset of a plurality of quantization parameter (QP) values to provide individual sets of quantized coefficient blocks. Each of the individual sets of coefficient blocks is based on data of the macroblock. The RD calculator is further configured to determine individual accumulated rate and accumulated distortion value pairs for each of the plurality of QP values based on the individual sets of quantized coefficient blocks.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for optimizing rate-distortion costs of a signal are disclosed. An apparatus may include an encoder. The encoder may be configured to receive a video signal and provide a residual indicative of a difference between the video signal and a reconstructed video signal. The encoder may further be configured to perform a transform on the residual to provide a plurality of transform coefficients and rate-distortion optimize the plurality of transform coefficients in accordance with an HEVC state transition scheme to provide a rate-distortion optimized plurality of quantized coefficients. The encoder may further be configured to encode the plurality of quantized coefficients in accordance with context-adaptive binary arithmetic coding.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for initializing a CABAC state are disclosed herein. An example apparatus may include an encoder configured to receive a macroblock dependent on at least one unencoded macroblock. The encoder may further be configured to receive a plurality of CABAC states and initialize CABAC in accordance with one of the plurality of CABAC states to encode the macroblock prior to the at least one unencoded macroblock being encoded.

Abstract: Examples of systems, apparatuses, and methods for to transcoding a bitstream are described herein. An example content distribution system may include an interconnect configured to provide encoded video data from an encoder to a decoder. The interconnect is configured to receive a bitstream including the encoded video data from the encoder. The bitstream is encoded using a first lossless coding methodology. The interconnect including a transcoder configured to transcode the bitstream using a second lossless coding methodology to provide a transcoded bitstream.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for optimizing rate-distortion costs in a signal are disclosed herein. An apparatus may comprise a quantization block that may be configured to serially receive a plurality of coefficients and to generate a plurality of candidates for each of a plurality of coefficients. The quantization block may further be configured to generate a respective arc for each of the candidates having a respective rate and in accordance with the MPEG-2 coding standard. The quantization block may further be configured to identify which of the plurality of arcs has a minimum cost and provide a modified plurality of coefficients associated with the minimum cost arc.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for optimizing rate-distortion of syntax elements are disclosed herein. An optimization block may be used in a video encoder and may include a candidate generation block and a best cost block. The optimization block may be configured to generate a plurality of candidates corresponding to respective differential levels. Each of the plurality of candidates may be based, at least in part, on a DC coefficient and provide a respective rate-distortion cost. The best cost block may be coupled to the candidate generation block and may be configured to select a candidate of the plurality of candidates according to a criteria.

Abstract: Examples of methods and apparatuses for estimating bit counts of a bitstream are described herein. An entropy encoder may include a bitstream encoding module and a bit count estimation module. The bitstream encoding module may be configured to encode a plurality of syntax elements according to a first encoding technique. The bit count estimation module may be configured to provide estimated bit counts for encoding the plurality of syntax elements according to a second encoding technique. In at least one embodiment, the bitstream encoding module may be further configured to encode the plurality of syntax elements based on the estimated bit counts.

Abstract: Examples of methods and apparatuses for inserting and removing stuffing data in a bitstream described. An encoding system may include an encoder configured to receive a video signal and stuffing data. The encoder may be configured encode the video signal in accordance with an encoding methodology and provide a bitstream based on the encoded video signal and the stuffing data. The stuffing data may include random and/or encrypted data. A decoder may receive a bitstream and remove stuffing data from the bitstream. The decoder may include a padding removal apparatus that may include a slice detection block and a bitstream editor. The slice detection block may be configured to determine locations of stuffing data in a bitstream and provide the locations to the bitstream editor using control signals. The bitstream editor may be configured to remove the stuffing data based on the control signals.