Abstract: A method for decoding a picture embedded in a coded video sequence using a reference picture, includes: receiving at least a part of the coded video sequence; decoding the at least a part of the coded video sequence to determine a rotation of the embedded picture; rotating at least a part of the reference picture according to the determined rotation; and using the at least a part of a rotated reference picture to construct a reconstructed picture corresponding to the embedded picture.

Abstract: The representation of information related to the number of active enhancement layers in a scalable bitstream in data structures that are sent synchronous with coded pictures or slices is disclosed herein. Systems and methods for video coding include receiving and decoding an Active Number of Layers message.

Abstract: Disclosed are techniques for creating, coding, decoding, and using, rotation information related to one or more coded pictures in non-normative parts of a coded video bitstream.

Abstract: Disclosed are techniques for scalable, multiview, and multiple descriptive video coding using an improved Network Adaptation Layer (NAL) unit header. A NAL unit header can include a layer-id that can be a reference into a table of layer descriptions, which specify the properties of the layer. The improved NAL unit header can further include fields for reference picture management and to identify temproal layers.

Abstract: The disclosed subject matter describes a new pattern description that can be part of an SEI message or a parameter set, and can be used to describe a temporal picture coding structure and associated bitrates and frame rates. The knowledge of the coding structure can benefit transraters, bitstream extractors, and digital video recorders. Decoders can utilize the coding structure information for example, to decode pictures in parallel, using multiple threads/cores.

Abstract: Disclosed are techniques for temporal scalable video coding. By including a temporal_switching_point_flag and/or a temporal_nesting_flag into a normative part of the scalable bitstream, reference picture management in decoder can be simplified, and media-aware network elements and decoder can easily identify those pictures from which onward a higher temporal layer can be added.

Abstract: An encoder, a decoder, and corresponding methods are provided for encoding and decoding video signal data for an image block. The encoder includes a quantizer for receiving transform coefficients for the image block, and for adaptively performing dead-zone quantization based on coefficient positions and coefficient distributions of the transform coefficients.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for implementing a reduced cost HDTV/SDTV video decoder are disclosed. The described joint video decoder is capable of decoding HDTV pictures at approximately the resolution of standard definition television pictures and can be used to decode HDTV and/or SDTV pictures. The described video decoder may be used as part of a picture-in-picture decoder circuit for providing picture-in-picture capability without providing multiple full resolution video decoders. The reduction in decoder circuit complexity is achieved through the use of a plurality of data reduction techniques including the use of a preparser, downsampling, and truncating pixel values.

Abstract: There are provided scalable complexity video decoder and encoders for respectively decoding and encoding a video bitstream. A scalable complexity video decoder includes a first combiner, a second combiner, and a deblocking filter. The first combiner is for combining full resolution motion compensated predictions and decoded upsampled base layer residuals to form reconstructed upsampled base layer pictures for display without any deblocking operations applied thereto. The second combiner, in signal communication with the first combiner, is for combining the reconstructed upsampled base layer pictures with decoded enhancement layer residuals to form reconstructed full resolution enhancement layer pictures. The deblocking filter, in signal communication with the second combiner, is for performing deblocking operations on only the reconstructed full resolution enhancement layer pictures to output filtered reconstructed full resolution enhancement layer pictures for display.

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: There is provided an encoder and a corresponding method for encoding video signal data corresponding to a plurality of pictures. The encoder includes an overlapping window analysis unit for performing a video analysis of the video signal data using a plurality of overlapping analysis windows with respect to at least some of the plurality of pictures corresponding to the video signal data, and for adapting encoding parameters for the video signal data based on a result of the video analysis.

Abstract: A video decoder, a video decoding method, a video encoder and a video encoding method are disclosed. A video decoder for decoding a video bitstream for an image block includes a motion vector resolution reducer and a motion compensator. The motion vector resolution reducer is for receiving decoded high resolution motion vectors included in the video bitstream and for reducing an accuracy of the high resolution motion vectors to correspond to a low resolution. The motion compensator, in signal communication with the motion vector resolution reducer, is for forming a motion compensated high resolution prediction using the reduced accuracy motion vectors. The video encoder for encoding scalable video comprises a motion compensator for forming a motion compensated full resolution prediction and combining the motion compensated full resolution prediction from an image block to form a prediction residual. The prediction residual is downsampled to form a low resolution downsampled prediction residual and then coded.

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: Individual pixels in an image block undergo blending with film grain from a film grain block randomly selected from among a pool of previously established film grain blocks in accordance with a luma characteristic of the image block. Prior to blending, the selected film grain block undergoes deblocking by a deblocking filter (28). Following blending, a clipper clips the individual pixels prior to display. The pool of film grain blocks is created by scaling a set of film grain patterns in accordance with at least one parameter of a film grain information message that accompanies the image block.

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: The simulation of film grain in an image makes use of parameters contained in a Supplemental Enhancement Information (SEI) message that accompanies the image upon transmission. The SEI message specifies film grain simulation parameters such as the film simulation model, the blending mode, and color space.

Abstract: The addition of comfort noise to an image serves to hide compression artifacts. To facilitate comfort noise addition, supplemental information accompanying a video image contains at least one parameter that specifies an attribute regarding comfort noise. Typically, the supplemental information includes parameters that function to turn the comfort noise on and off, as well as to indicate the level of noise to add, based on the expected level of compression artifacts.

Abstract: Film grain is simulated in an output image using pre-established blocks of film grain from a pool of pre-established blocks. Successive film grain blocks are selected by matching the average intensity of a block from the pool to the average intensity of a successive one of a set of M×N pixels in an incoming image. Once all of the successive pixel blocks from the image are matched to selected film grain blocks, the selected film grain blocks are “mosaiced”, that is composited into a larger image mapped to the incoming image.

Abstract: A video encoder, decoder, and methods, for watermarking video content are disclosed; the encoder including a quantization unit for quantizing coefficients of the video bitstream, and an embedding unit in signal communication with the quantization unit for embedding bits of the digital fingerprint in blocks of the video bitstream as a function of the parity of the number of coded coefficients in the block; and the decoder including a detection unit for detecting bits of the digital fingerprint in blocks of the video bitstream as a function of the parity of the number of coded coefficients in the block, and an inverse-quantization unit in signal communication with the detection unit for inverse-quantizing coefficients of the video bitstream.

Abstract: A hybrid intra-inter bi-predictive (or multi-predictive) coding mode allows both intraframe (intra) and interframe (inter) predictions to be combined together for hybrid-encoding a current macroblock or a subblock Bi-prediction may be used also in I-pictures, combining two intra predictions that use two different intra prediction directions. A video encoder processes data representing a two-dimensional video image which has been produced by a conventional commercially available video camera. The video encoder is adapted to select, for coding a current macroblock, between an intra encoding mode, an P-frame inter encoding mode, a B-frame bi-predictive inter mode, and a hybrid intra-inter bi-predictive encoding mode. A video decoder (800) receives and decodes a data stream that may contain a block/macroblock encoded in accordance with the hybrid intra-inter bi-predictive encoding mode.