Abstract: Virtual Reality (VR) processing devices and methods are provided for transmitting user feedback information comprising at least one of user position information and user orientation information, receiving encoded audio-video (A/V) data, which is generated based on the transmitted user feedback information, separating the A/V data into video data and audio data corresponding to a portion of a next frame of a sequence of frames of the video data to be displayed, decoding the portion of a next frame of the video data and the corresponding audio data, providing the audio data for aural presentation and controlling the portion of the next frame of the video data to be displayed in synchronization with the corresponding audio data.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods for performing parallel histogram calculation with application to palette table derivation are disclosed. An encoder calculates a first histogram for a first portion of pixel component value bits of a block of pixels. Then, the encoder selects a first number of the highest pixel count bins from the first histogram. Also, the encoder calculates a second histogram for a second portion of pixel component value bits of the block. The encoder selects a second number of the highest pixel count bins from the second histogram. A third histogram is calculated from the concatenation of bits assigned to the first and second number of bins, and the highest pixel count bins are selected from the third histogram. A palette table is derived based on these highest pixel count bins selected from the third histogram, and the block of pixels is encoded using the palette table.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods for calculating multi-pass histograms for palette table derivation are disclosed. An encoder calculates a first histogram for a first portion of most significant bits (MSBs) of pixel component values of a block of an image or video frame. Then, the encoder selects a given number of the highest pixel count bins from the first histogram. The encoder then increases the granularity of these selected highest pixel count bins by evaluating one or more additional bits from the pixel component values. A second histogram is calculated for the concatenation of the original first portion MSBs from the highest pixel count bins and the one or more additional bits, and the highest pixel count bins are selected from the second histogram. A palette table is derived based on these highest pixel count bins selected from the second histogram, and the block is encoded using the palette table.

Abstract: Virtual Reality (VR) processing devices and methods are provided for transmitting user feedback information comprising at least one of user position information and user orientation information, receiving encoded audio-video (A/V) data, which is generated based on the transmitted user feedback information, separating the A/V data into video data and audio data corresponding to a portion of a next frame of a sequence of frames of the video data to be displayed, decoding the portion of a next frame of the video data and the corresponding audio data, providing the audio data for aural presentation and controlling the portion of the next frame of the video data to be displayed in synchronization with the corresponding audio data.

Abstract: A video keying processing device is provided which comprises memory configured to store data and a processor configured to determine, which pixel portions, in a YUV color space of a first video comprising a foreground object and a background color, represent the foreground object and the background color of the first video. The processor is also configured to, for each pixel portion of the first video determined to represent the foreground object and the background color, convert YUV values of the pixel portion to red-green-blue (RGB) color component value and determine a blended display value for each RGB color component of the pixel portion based on a blending factor. The processor is also configured to generate a composite video for display using the blended display values of each pixel portion determined to represent the foreground object and the background color.

Abstract: Various codecs and methods of using the same are disclosed. In one aspect, a method of processing video data is provided that includes encoding or decoding the video data with a codec in aggressive deployment and correcting one or more errors in the encoding or decoding wherein the error correction includes re-encoding or re-decoding the video data in a non-aggressive deployment or generating a skip picture.

Abstract: An encoder encodes pixels representative of a picture in a multimedia stream, generates a first approximate signature based on approximate values of pixels in a reconstructed copy of the picture, and transmits the encoded pixels and the first approximate signature. A decoder receives a first packet including the encoded pixels and the first approximate signature, decodes the encoded pixels, and transmits a first signal in response to comparing the first approximate signature and a second approximate signature generated based on approximate values of the decoded pixels. If a corrupted packet is detected, the multimedia application requests an intra-coded picture in response to the first approximate signature differing from the second approximate signature. The second signal instructs the decoder to bypass requesting an intra-coded picture and to continue decoding received packets in response to the first approximate signature being equal to the second approximate signature.

Abstract: An encoder of a multimedia system encodes data representative of each image in a video stream to form a bitstream that is transmitted over a network to a decoder that decodes the bitstream and provides the decoded information to a multimedia application for display to the user. As consecutive images may have nearly identical pixel values, the multimedia system detects pixel value variations between consecutive images that are below a specified threshold to reduce active processing on such pictures, which includes, for example, encoding, decoding, and post-processing. The multimedia system either selectively encodes or selectively processes the current image that has pixel values that vary from an immediately preceding image within the specified threshold.

Abstract: A processing system filters blocks of a picture to minimize a size and error of the blocks prior to encoding. A pre-processing module of the processing system measures characteristics of a plurality of blocks and evaluates the effects of applying each of a plurality of filters to the blocks prior to encoding in order to predict an increase in compressibility of blocks having similar characteristics that are filtered with each filter before being encoded, with the least impact on quality. The pre-processing module trains models to predict a size and error of blocks filtered with each filter based on block characteristics. The pre-processing module uses the models to calculate a cost in terms of size and error of applying each filter to a given block having certain characteristics. The pre-processing module then applies to the block the filter that is predicted to result in the best cost.

Abstract: A system and method for dynamically changing encode quality at a block level based on runtime pre-encoding analysis of content in a video stream. A video encoder continuously analyzes the content during runtime, and collects statistics and/or characteristics of the content before encoding it. This classifies the block among pre-defined categories of content, where every category has its own compression parameters.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods for generating a model for determining a quantization strength to use when encoding video frames are disclosed. A pre-encoder performs multiple encoding passes using different quantization strengths on a portion or the entirety of one or more pre-processed video frames. The pre-encoder captures the bit-size of the encoded output for each of the multiple encoding passes. Then, based on the multiple encoding passes, the pre-encoder generates a model for mapping bit-size to quantization strength for encoding video frames or portion(s) thereof. When the encoder begins the final encoding pass for one or more given video frames or any portion(s) thereof, the encoder uses the model to map a preferred bit-size to a given quantization strength. The encoder uses the given quantization strength when encoding the given video frame(s) or frame portion(s) to meet a specified bit-rate for the encoded bitstream.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to maximize video slice size is described herein. The method packs as many macroblocks as possible within a capped-size slice, while preserving user-defined quality constraints. The probability to conform to the maximum slice size constraint may be adjusted according to a user-defined parameter. The method may be integrated into a rate control process of a video encoder. The method predicts whether encoding a macroblock with a quantization parameter exceeds a current slice size constraint. It further predicts whether encoding a given number of macroblocks with a given configuration of quantization parameters exceeds the current slice size constraint. The method then proceeds to encode the current macroblock either on a condition that encoding the given number of macroblocks with the given configuration of quantization parameters falls below the size constraint of the current slice or after determining that a new slice is needed.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods for rendering images directly to a video encoder are disclosed. A game engine includes an embedded rendering unit configured to render images in different color spaces depending on the mode. The rendering unit renders images for a first color space only to be driven directly to a display while operating in a first mode. The rendering unit renders images for a second color space only which are provided directly to a video encoder while operating in a second mode. In a third mode, the rendering unit renders images for both color spaces. In one embodiment, the first color space is RGB and the second color space is YUV. The game engine also generates a plurality of attributes associated with each rendered image and the video encoder encodes each rendered image into an encoded bitstream based on the attributes associated with the rendered image.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed a system and method for exploiting camera and depth information associated with rendered video frames, such as those rendered by a server operating as part of a cloud gaming service, to more efficiently encode the rendered video frames for transmission over a network. The method and system of the present disclosure can be used in a server operating in a cloud gaming service to improve, for example, the amount of latency, downstream bandwidth, and/or computational processing power associated with playing a video game over its service. The method and system of the present disclosure can be further used in other applications where camera and depth information of a rendered or captured video frame is available.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods for encoding bitstreams of uniquely rendered video frames with variable frame rates are disclosed. A rendering unit and an encoder in a server are coupled via a network to a client with a decoder. The rendering unit dynamically adjusts the frame rate of uniquely rendered frames. Depending on the operating mode, the rendering unit conveys a constant frame rate to the encoder by repeating some frames or the rendering unit conveys a variable frame rate to the encoder by conveying only uniquely rendered frames to the encoder. Depending on the operating mode, the encoder conveys a constant frame rate bitstream to the decoder by encoding repeated frames as skip frames, or the encoder conveys a variable frame rate bitstream to the decoder by dropping repeated frames from the bitstream.

Abstract: Virtual Reality (VR) processing devices and methods are provided for transmitting user feedback information comprising at least one of user position information and user orientation information, receiving encoded audio-video (A/V) data, which is generated based on the transmitted user feedback information, separating the A/V data into video data and audio data corresponding to a portion of a next frame of a sequence of frames of the video data to be displayed, decoding the portion of a next frame of the video data and the corresponding audio data, providing the audio data for aural presentation and controlling the portion of the next frame of the video data to be displayed in synchronization with the corresponding audio data.

Abstract: A compressor is configured to determine delta color compression values for a plurality of pixels in a block and subdivide the plurality of pixels in the block into a plurality of groups and transmit a compressed bitstream representative of the delta values. The compressed bitstream includes bits representative of a block header that indicates a range of numbers of bits that are sufficient to represent the delta values, a plurality of group headers that each indicate a group minimum number of bits that is sufficient to represent the delta values in a corresponding one of the plurality of groups, and the delta values encoded using the group minimum number of bits for the group that includes the delta values. A decompressor configured to decompress the compressed bitstream based on the block header, the plurality of group headers, and the encoded delta values.

Abstract: A feedback processing module includes a memory configured to store feedback received from an encoder. The feedback includes parameters associated with encoded graphics content generated by a graphics engine. The feedback processing module also includes a processor configured to generate configuration information for the graphics engine based on the feedback. The graphics engine is configured to execute a workload based on the configuration information. In some cases, the feedback processing module is also configured to receive feedback from a decoder that is used to decode the graphics content that is encoded by the encoder and generate the configuration information based on the feedback received from the decoder.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed a system and method for exploiting camera and depth information associated with rendered video frames, such as those rendered by a server operating as part of a cloud gaming service, to more efficiently encode the rendered video frames for transmission over a network. The method and system of the present disclosure can be used in a server operating in a cloud gaming service to improve, for example, the amount of latency, downstream bandwidth, and/or computational processing power associated with playing a video game over its service. The method and system of the present disclosure can be further used in other applications where camera and depth information of a rendered or captured video frame is available.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods for reducing latency when consuming an encoded video bitstream in real-time are disclosed. A video encoder encodes a video bitstream and writes chunks of the encoded bitstream to a bitstream buffer. Prior to the encoder completing the encoding of an entire frame, or an entire slice of a frame, a consumer module consumes encoded chunks of the bitstream. In one implementation, to enable pipelining of the consumption with the encoding, the encoder updates a buffer write pointer with an indication of the amount of data that has been written to the bitstream buffer. The consumer module retrieves encoded data from the bitstream buffer up to the location indicated by the buffer write pointer. In this way, the consumer module is able to access and consume encoded video data prior to the encoder finishing encoding an entire frame or an entire slice of the frame.