Abstract: Innovations in stream configuration operations and playback operations for adaptive streaming of panoramic video are described. The innovations include features of adaptive streaming of panoramic video with composite pictures. For example, a stream configuration tool splits an input picture of panoramic video into multiple sections and creates multiple composite pictures. A composite picture includes one of the sections as well as a low-resolution version of the input picture. A playback tool reconstructs one or more composite pictures. Under normal operation, the playback tool can use the reconstructed section(s) of the composite picture(s) to render high-quality views of the panoramic video. If the view window dramatically changes, however, or if encoded data for a section is lost or corrupted, the playback tool can use the low-resolution version of the input picture to render lower-quality details for views of the panoramic video, without disruption of playback.

Abstract: Innovations in stream configuration operations and playback operations for adaptive streaming of panoramic video are described. The innovations include features of adaptive streaming of panoramic video with composite pictures. For example, a stream configuration tool splits an input picture of panoramic video into multiple sections and creates multiple composite pictures. A composite picture includes one of the sections as well as a low-resolution version of the input picture. A playback tool reconstructs one or more composite pictures. Under normal operation, the playback tool can use the reconstructed section(s) of the composite picture(s) to render high-quality views of the panoramic video. If the view window dramatically changes, however, or if encoded data for a section is lost or corrupted, the playback tool can use the low-resolution version of the input picture to render lower-quality details for views of the panoramic video, without disruption of playback.

Abstract: Innovations in stream configuration operations and playback operations for adaptive streaming of panoramic video are described. The innovations include features of adaptive streaming of panoramic video with composite pictures. For example, a stream configuration tool splits an input picture of panoramic video into multiple sections and creates multiple composite pictures. A composite picture includes one of the sections as well as a low-resolution version of the input picture. A playback tool reconstructs one or more composite pictures. Under normal operation, the playback tool can use the reconstructed section(s) of the composite picture(s) to render high-quality views of the panoramic video. If the view window dramatically changes, however, or if encoded data for a section is lost or corrupted, the playback tool can use the low-resolution version of the input picture to render lower-quality details for views of the panoramic video, without disruption of playback.

Abstract: Innovations in stream configuration operations and playback operations for adaptive streaming of panoramic video are described. The innovations include features of adaptive streaming of panoramic video with composite pictures. For example, a stream configuration tool splits an input picture of panoramic video into multiple sections and creates multiple composite pictures. A composite picture includes one of the sections as well as a low-resolution version of the input picture. A playback tool reconstructs one or more composite pictures. Under normal operation, the playback tool can use the reconstructed section(s) of the composite picture(s) to render high-quality views of the panoramic video. If the view window dramatically changes, however, or if encoded data for a section is lost or corrupted, the playback tool can use the low-resolution version of the input picture to render lower-quality details for views of the panoramic video, without disruption of playback.

Abstract: Innovations in stream configuration operations and playback operations for adaptive streaming of panoramic video are described. The innovations include features of adaptive streaming of panoramic video with composite pictures. For example, a stream configuration tool splits an input picture of panoramic video into multiple sections and creates multiple composite pictures. A composite picture includes one of the sections as well as a low-resolution version of the input picture. A playback tool reconstructs one or more composite pictures. Under normal operation, the playback tool can use the reconstructed section(s) of the composite picture(s) to render high-quality views of the panoramic video. If the view window dramatically changes, however, or if encoded data for a section is lost or corrupted, the playback tool can use the low-resolution version of the input picture to render lower-quality details for views of the panoramic video, without disruption of playback.

Abstract: Innovations in stream configuration operations and playback operations for adaptive streaming of panoramic video are described. The innovations include features of adaptive streaming of panoramic video with overlapping sections. For example, a stream configuration tool splits an input picture of panoramic video into overlapping sections. A playback tool reconstructs one or more of the sections. Because of overlap between adjacent sections, for gradual changes in a view window, the playback tool can, in effect, preemptively fetch a new section as the view window moves out of a current section into the new section. By the time the view window reaches a non-overlapping part of the adjacent, new section, the playback tool has retrieved encoded data for the new section and can reconstruct the new section. This hides network latency and stream switching latency from the viewer, and disruption of playback is avoided.

Abstract: Innovations in reconstruction and rendering of panoramic video are described. For example, a view-dependent operation controller of a panoramic video playback system receives an indication of a view direction for an application and, based at least in part on the view direction, identifies a section of a picture of panoramic video in an input projection. The view-dependent operation controller limits operations of a color converter, video decoder, and/or streaming controller to the identified section. In this way, the panoramic video playback system can avoid performing operations to reconstruct sections of the picture of panoramic video that will not be viewed. As another example, a mapper of a panoramic video playback system re-projects at least some sample values in an input flat projection towards a center location for a view direction, producing an output flat projection, which an application can use to generate one or more screen projections.

Abstract: Innovations in stream configuration operations and playback operations for adaptive streaming of panoramic video are described. The innovations include features of adaptive streaming of panoramic video with composite pictures. For example, a stream configuration tool splits an input picture of panoramic video into multiple sections and creates multiple composite pictures. A composite picture includes one of the sections as well as a low-resolution version of the input picture. A playback tool reconstructs one or more composite pictures. Under normal operation, the playback tool can use the reconstructed section(s) of the composite picture(s) to render high-quality views of the panoramic video. If the view window dramatically changes, however, or if encoded data for a section is lost or corrupted, the playback tool can use the low-resolution version of the input picture to render lower-quality details for views of the panoramic video, without disruption of playback.

Abstract: Innovations in stream configuration operations and playback operations for adaptive streaming of panoramic video are described. The innovations include features of adaptive streaming of panoramic video with overlapping sections. For example, a stream configuration tool splits an input picture of panoramic video into overlapping sections. A playback tool reconstructs one or more of the sections. Because of overlap between adjacent sections, for gradual changes in a view window, the playback tool can, in effect, preemptively fetch a new section as the view window moves out of a current section into the new section. By the time the view window reaches a non-overlapping part of the adjacent, new section, the playback tool has retrieved encoded data for the new section and can reconstruct the new section. This hides network latency and stream switching latency from the viewer, and disruption of playback is avoided.

Abstract: Innovations in reconstruction and rendering of panoramic video are described. For example, a view-dependent operation controller of a panoramic video playback system receives an indication of a view direction for an application and, based at least in part on the view direction, identifies a section of a picture of panoramic video in an input projection. The view-dependent operation controller limits operations of a color converter, video decoder, and/or streaming controller to the identified section. In this way, the panoramic video playback system can avoid performing operations to reconstruct sections of the picture of panoramic video that will not be viewed. As another example, a mapper of a panoramic video playback system re-projects at least some sample values in an input flat projection towards a center location for a view direction, producing an output flat projection, which an application can use to generate one or more screen projections.

Abstract: Innovations in reconstruction and rendering of panoramic video are described. For example, a view-dependent operation controller of a panoramic video playback system receives an indication of a view direction for an application and, based at least in part on the view direction, identifies a section of a picture of panoramic video in an input projection. The view-dependent operation controller limits operations of a color converter, video decoder, and/or streaming controller to the identified section. In this way, the panoramic video playback system can avoid performing operations to reconstruct sections of the picture of panoramic video that will not be viewed. As another example, a mapper of a panoramic video playback system re-projects at least some sample values in an input flat projection towards a center location for a view direction, producing an output flat projection, which an application can use to generate one or more screen projections.

Abstract: Innovations in reconstruction and rendering of panoramic video are described. For example, a view-dependent operation controller of a panoramic video playback system receives an indication of a view direction for an application and, based at least in part on the view direction, identifies a section of a picture of panoramic video in an input projection. The view-dependent operation controller limits operations of a color converter, video decoder, and/or streaming controller to the identified section. In this way, the panoramic video playback system can avoid performing operations to reconstruct sections of the picture of panoramic video that will not be viewed. As another example, a mapper of a panoramic video playback system re-projects at least some sample values in an input flat projection towards a center location for a view direction, producing an output flat projection, which an application can use to generate one or more screen projections.

Abstract: Innovations in reconstruction and rendering of panoramic video are described, including the use of a platform rendering engine to provide a screen projection based on a view direction specified for an application through an interface. For example, based at least in part on the view direction specified for the application, at least a section of panoramic video in an input projection is identified. At least some of sample values of the at least a section of the picture of panoramic video in the input projection are mapped to a screen projection. The screen projection is output for display to a buffer for the application. Thus, an application may use panoramic video, including updating a view direction, without itself having to render a screen projection for the panoramic video.

Abstract: Innovations in rendering of high dynamic range (“HDR”) video on a display device having enhanced dynamic range (“EDR”). The peak brightness for an EDR display device is lower than the peak brightness for a typical HDR display device but higher than the peak brightness for a typical display device having standard dynamic range. The increased range of brightness values in an EDR display device can be utilized effectively to show bright highlights of the HDR video. For example, decision logic is configured to evaluate a peak brightness of a target display device and select an HDR-to-EDR tone mapping mode. A tone mapper is configured to apply tone mapping to input values for the sample values of HDR video, according to a tone mapping function, thereby producing output values for sample values of EDR video.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a video processing system 300 may filter a video data set to correct skew and wobble using a central processing unit 220 and a graphical processing unit 230. The video processing system 300 may apply a rolling shutter effect correction filter to an initial version of a video data set. The video processing system 300 may simultaneously apply a video stabilization filter to the initial version to produce a final version video data set.

Abstract: Innovations in rendering of high dynamic range (“HDR”) content are described. A playback system can adjust a tone mapping function used when rendering the HDR content, thereby improving quality when rendering the HDR content. For example, the playback system includes decision logic, which is configured to receive summary information (e.g., histogram information) for sample values of a picture of HDR content, and set a tone mapping function based at least in part on the summary information. The tone mapping function can be selected from among multiple available tone mapping functions, and parameters of the selected tone mapping function can be determined based at least in part on the summary information. A tone mapper is configured to apply tone mapping to input values for the sample values of the picture of HDR content, according to the tone mapping function, and thereby produce output values.

Abstract: Innovations in rendering of high dynamic range (“HDR”) content are described. A playback system can dynamically and proactively adjust the brightness level of a target display device. In some cases, this can reduce power consumption when rendering HDR content, without any noticeable degradation in quality. For example, the playback system includes decision logic. The decision logic is configured to receive summary information for sample values of a picture of HDR content and determine (based at least in part on the summary information) a brightness level of the target display device. The playback system can send, to the target display device, a control signal that indicates the brightness level of the target display device. A tone mapper can be configured to apply tone mapping to input values for the sample values of the picture of HDR content, according to a tone mapping function, and thereby produce output values.

Abstract: Innovations in rendering of high dynamic range (“HDR”) content are described. A playback system can dynamically and proactively adjust the brightness level of a target display device. In some cases, this can reduce power consumption when rendering HDR content, without any noticeable degradation in quality. For example, the playback system includes decision logic. The decision logic is configured to receive summary information for sample values of a picture of HDR content and determine (based at least in part on the summary information) a brightness level of the target display device. The playback system can send, to the target display device, a control signal that indicates the brightness level of the target display device. A tone mapper can be configured to apply tone mapping to input values for the sample values of the picture of HDR content, according to a tone mapping function, and thereby produce output values.

Abstract: Innovations in rendering of high dynamic range (“HDR”) content are described. A playback system can adjust a tone mapping function used when rendering the HDR content, thereby improving quality when rendering the HDR content. For example, the playback system includes decision logic, which is configured to receive summary information (e.g., histogram information) for sample values of a picture of HDR content, and set a tone mapping function based at least in part on the summary information. The tone mapping function can be selected from among multiple available tone mapping functions, and parameters of the selected tone mapping function can be determined based at least in part on the summary information. A tone mapper is configured to apply tone mapping to input values for the sample values of the picture of HDR content, according to the tone mapping function, and thereby produce output values.

Abstract: Innovations in reconstruction and rendering of panoramic video are described, including the use of a platform rendering engine to provide a screen projection based on a view direction specified for an application through an interface. For example, based at least in part on the view direction specified for the application, at least a section of panoramic video in an input projection is identified. At least some of sample values of the at least a section of the picture of panoramic video in the input projection are mapped to a screen projection. The screen projection is output for display to a buffer for the application. Thus, an application may use panoramic video, including updating a view direction, without itself having to render a screen projection for the panoramic video.