Abstract: Sub-picture extraction is rendered less complex by providing each slice with start position information which indicates a starting position from which onwards the picture is, along a coding path, encoded into the respective slice, relative to an onset position at which the coding path starts traversing a segment the starting position is located in. Alternatively or additionally, sub-picture extraction processes are treated like choosing one layer out of a multi-layer datastream.

Abstract: A video encoder according to embodiments is provided. The video encoder is configured for encoding a plurality of pictures of a video by generating an encoded video signal, wherein each of the plurality of pictures includes original picture data. The video encoder includes a data encoder configured for generating the encoded video signal including encoded picture data, wherein the data encoder is configured to encode the plurality of pictures of the video into the encoded picture data. Moreover, the video encoder includes an output interface configured for outputting the encoded picture data of each of the plurality of pictures. Furthermore, a video decoders, systems, methods for encoding and decoding, computer programs and encoded video signals according to embodiments are provided.

Abstract: A scalable video decoder is described which is configured to reconstruct a base layer signal from a coded data stream to obtain a reconstructed base layer signal; and reconstruct an enhancement layer signal including spatially or temporally predicting a portion of an enhancement layer signal, currently to be reconstructed, from an already reconstructed portion of the enhancement layer signal to obtain an enhancement layer internal prediction signal; forming, at the portion currently to be reconstructed, a weighted average of an inter-layer prediction signal obtained from the reconstructed base layer signal, and the enhancement layer internal prediction signal to obtain an enhancement layer prediction signal such that a weighting between the inter-layer prediction signal and the enhancement layer internal prediction signal varies over different spatial frequency components; and predictively reconstructing the enhancement layer signal using the enhancement layer prediction signal.

Abstract: A video data stream having a video encoded thereinto and is described. It includes first timing information on first coded picture buffer, CPB, removal times to be applied at decoder side in case of buffering a complete version of the video data stream, and second timing information on second CPB removal times to be applied at decoder side for buffering a reduced version of the video data stream, differing from the video data stream by removal of a portion of the video data stream from the complete version of the video data stream. Corresponding video encoders, video decoders, network nodes, apparatuses for managing the coded picture buffer, CPB, of a video decoder, and apparatuses for splicing together video data streams are also referred to.

Abstract: Video codec concepts which allows more effective video composition/merging and/or a more effective implementation of gradual decoding refresh are described along with concepts of allowing video composition/merging being more effective, for instance, in terms of complexity of the composition/merging task.

Abstract: Scalable coding concepts are described. One aspect improves parallel decoding of inter-dependent layers of a multi-layer video data stream by introducing a long-term syntax element structure for guaranteeing that during a predetermined time period the pictures of the dependent layer are subdivided so that borders of the spatial segments of the pictures of the second layer and the spatial segments of the first layer overlay. Another aspect concerns upsampling from base layer to enhancement layer. Another aspect introduces a long-term syntax element structure allowing the decoder to determine the inter-layer offset for a predetermined time period. Another aspect introduces a type indicator field changing a way a layer indicator field within the NAL unit headers is to be interpreted. Another aspect allows different codecs/standards to be used for the different layers. Another aspect concerns a syntax element structure which indicates the inter-layer offset in units of the base layer blocks.

Abstract: A scalable video decoder is described which is configured to reconstruct a base layer signal from a coded data stream to obtain a reconstructed base layer signal; and reconstruct an enhancement layer signal including spatially or temporally predicting a portion of an enhancement layer signal, currently to be reconstructed, from an already reconstructed portion of the enhancement layer signal to obtain an enhancement layer internal prediction signal; forming, at the portion currently to be reconstructed, a weighted average of an inter-layer prediction signal obtained from the reconstructed base layer signal, and the enhancement layer internal prediction signal to obtain an enhancement layer prediction signal such that a weighting between the inter-layer prediction signal and the enhancement layer internal prediction signal varies over different spatial frequency components; and predictively reconstructing the enhancement layer signal using the enhancement layer prediction signal.

Abstract: Different concepts for improving video coding efficiency are described, many of them allow for video coding in a manner realizing tile-independent coding with reducing, however, the coding efficiency losses otherwise associated with the tile-dependency disruptions, with nevertheless merely marginally, if all, modifying the codec behavior alongside the tile boundaries

Abstract: A scalable video decoder is described which is configured to reconstruct a base layer signal from a coded data stream to obtain a reconstructed base layer signal; and reconstruct an enhancement layer signal including spatially or temporally predicting a portion of an enhancement layer signal, currently to be reconstructed, from an already reconstructed portion of the enhancement layer signal to obtain an enhancement layer internal prediction signal; forming, at the portion currently to be reconstructed, a weighted average of an inter-layer prediction signal obtained from the reconstructed base layer signal, and the enhancement layer internal prediction signal to obtain an enhancement layer prediction signal such that a weighting between the inter-layer prediction signal and the enhancement layer internal prediction signal varies over different spatial frequency components; and predictively reconstructing the enhancement layer signal using the enhancement layer prediction signal.

Abstract: An interleaved multi-layered video data stream with interleaved decoding units of different layers is provided with further timing control information in addition to the timing control information reflecting the interleaved decoding unit arrangement. The additional timing control information pertains to either a fallback position according to which all decoding units of an access unit are treated at the decoded buffer access unit-wise, or a fallback position according to which an intermediate procedure is used: the interleaving of the DUs of different layers is reversed according to the additionally sent timing control information, thereby enabling a DU-wise treatment at the decoder's buffer, however, with no interleaving of decoding units relating to different layers. Both fallback positions may be present concurrently. Various advantageous embodiments and alternatives are the subject of the various claims attached herewith.

Abstract: The signalization of the inter-layer dependencies between layers of a multi-layered data stream is described. A good compromise between a too intensive restriction of the potential diversity of inter-layer dependencies on the one hand and a too complex signaling of the inter-layer dependencies on the other hand has been found by describing the inter-layer dependencies by way of a first inter-dependency syntax structure indicating inter-dependencies between pairs of different values representable by a base layer-ID and a second inter-dependency syntax structure indicating inter-dependencies between pairs of different values representable by an extension layer-ID, the base layer ID and extension layer ID indexing the layers the portions of the multi-layer data stream are associated with.

Abstract: A signaling of at least one characteristic for layers of a multi-layered video signal such as, for example, for each layer the indication of dependent layers to which the respective layer directly relates via inter-layer prediction, or the signaling of the afore-mentioned second inter-dependency syntax structure, is described. A maximum syntax element is signaled within the multi-layered video signal to indicate a maximally used value of an extension layer-ID field of the packets of the multi-layered video signal, the scope of the maximum syntax element being, for example, a predetermined portion of the multi-layered video signal extending, for example, across several portions of the multi-layered video signal. Accordingly, it is feasible for devices such as decoders or network elements receiving the multi-layered video signal to gain, for a relatively large predetermined portion of the multi-layered video signal, knowledge about the actually consumed portion of the possible domain of possible values.

Abstract: A video encoder for providing an encoded video representation, wherein the video encoder is configured to provide a video stream comprising encoded parameter information describing a plurality of encoding parameters, encoded video content information and one or more merge identifiers indicating whether and/or how the encoded video representation can be merged with another encoded video representation.

Abstract: Scalable coding concepts are described. One aspect improves parallel decoding of inter-dependent layers of a multi-layer video data stream by introducing a long-term syntax element structure for guaranteeing that during a predetermined time period the pictures of the dependent layer are subdivided so that borders of the spatial segments of the pictures of the second layer and the spatial segments of the first layer overlay. Another aspect concerns upsampling from base layer to enhancement layer. Another aspect introduces a long-term syntax element structure allowing the decoder to determine the inter-layer offset for a predetermined time period. Another aspect introduces a type indicator field changing a way a layer indicator field within the NAL unit headers is to be interpreted. Another aspect allows different codecs/standards to be used for the different layers. Another aspect concerns a syntax element structure which indicates the inter-layer offset in units of the base layer blocks.

Abstract: An interleaved multi-layered video data stream with interleaved decoding units of different layers is provided with further timing control information in addition to the timing control information reflecting the interleaved decoding unit arrangement. The additional timing control information pertains to either a fallback position according to which all decoding units of an access unit are treated at the decoded buffer access unit-wise, or a fallback position according to which an intermediate procedure is used: the interleaving of the DUs of different layers is reversed according to the additionally sent timing control information, thereby enabling a DU-wise treatment at the decoder's buffer, however, with no interleaving of decoding units relating to different layers. Both fallback positions may be present concurrently. Various advantageous embodiments and alternatives are the subject of the various claims attached herewith.

Abstract: A signaling of at least one characteristic for layers of a multi-layered video signal such as, for example, for each layer the indication of dependent layers to which the respective layer directly relates via inter-layer prediction, or the signaling of the afore-mentioned second inter-dependency syntax structure, is described. A maximum syntax element is signaled within the multi-layered video signal to indicate a maximally used value of an extension layer-ID field of the packets of the multi-layered video signal, the scope of the maximum syntax element being, for example, a predetermined portion of the multi-layered video signal extending, for example, across several portions of the multi-layered video signal. Accordingly, it is feasible for devices such as decoders or network elements receiving the multi-layered video signal to gain, for a relatively large predetermined portion of the multi-layered video signal, knowledge about the actually consumed portion of the possible domain of possible values.

Abstract: The signalization of the inter-layer dependencies between layers of a multi-layered data stream is described. A good compromise between a too intensive restriction of the potential diversity of inter-layer dependencies on the one hand and a too complex signaling of the inter-layer dependencies on the other hand has been found by describing the inter-layer dependencies by way of a first inter-dependency syntax structure indicating inter-dependencies between pairs of different values representable by a base layer-ID and a second inter-dependency syntax structure indicating inter-dependencies between pairs of different values representable by an extension layer-ID, the base layer ID and extension layer ID indexing the layers the portions of the multi-layer data stream are associated with.

Abstract: A signaling of the layer ID is described which each of the packets of a multi-layered video signal is associated with. In particular, an efficient way of signaling this layer association is achieved, with nevertheless maintaining the backward compatibility with codecs according to which a certain value of the base layer-ID field is restricted to be non-extendable such as base layer-ID value 0 in the base layer-ID field. Instead of circumventing this restriction specifically with respect to this non-extendable base layer-ID value, the layer-ID of portions of the multi-layer data stream is signaled in an extendable manner by sub-dividing the base layer-ID field into a first sub-field and a second sub-field: whenever the first sub-field of the base layer-ID field fulfills a predetermined criterion, an extension layer-ID field is provided, and if the first sub-field of the base layer-ID field does not fulfill the predetermined criterion, the extension layer-ID field is omitted.

Abstract: A video encoder according to embodiments is provided. The video encoder is configured for encoding a plurality of pictures of a video by generating an encoded video signal, wherein each of the plurality of pictures has original picture data. The video encoder has a data encoder configured for generating the encoded video signal having encoded picture data, wherein the data encoder is configured to encode the plurality of pictures of the video into the encoded picture data. Moreover, the video encoder has an output interface configured for outputting the encoded picture data of each of the plurality of pictures. Furthermore, a video decoders, systems, methods for encoding and decoding, computer programs and encoded video signals according to embodiments are provided.

Abstract: Scalable video coding is rendered more efficient by deriving/selecting a subblock subdivision to be used for enhancement layer prediction, among a set of possible subblock subdivisions of an enhancement layer block by evaluating the spatial variation of the base layer coding parameters over the base layer signal. By this measure, less of the signalization overhead has to be spent on signaling this subblock subdivision within the enhancement layer data stream, if any. The subblock subdivision thus selected may be used in predictively coding/decoding the enhancement layer signal.