Abstract: Video coding tools can be controlled by including syntax in a video bitstream that makes better use of video decoding resources. An encoder inserts syntax into a video bitstream to enable a decoder to parse the bitstream and easily control which tools combinations are enabled, which combinations are not permitted, and which tools are activated for various components in a multiple component bitstream, leading to potential parallelization of bitstream decoding.

Abstract: A method and device for audio steering from a loudspeaker line array of a display device toward a user direction is disclosed. Data corresponding to a viewer gesture is obtained from at least one sensor of a display device. A distance and an angle between the viewer and a plurality of loudspeakers coupled to the display is determined based on the obtained data. Phase shifting is applied to an audio signal powering the plurality of loudspeakers based on the determined distance and angle to audio steer toward the user direction.

Abstract: Different implementations are described, particularly implementations for video encoding and decoding are presented. Accordingly, the encoding or decoding comprises obtaining a residual coding mode of a block of a picture, wherein the residual coding mode is one of regular residual coding mode (RRC) or transform skip residual coding mode (TSRC); decoding the block of the picture according to the obtained residual coding mode. According to a particular characteristic, the residual coding mode is set to regular residual coding mode (RRC) when transform skip is disabled. According to another particular characteristic, the residual coding mode is decoded from a syntax element when transform skip is enabled.

Abstract: Video coding tools can be controlled by including syntax in a video bitstream that makes better use of video decoding resources. An encoder inserts syntax into a video bitstream to enable a decoder to parse the bitstream and easily control which tools combinations are enabled, which combinations are not permitted, and which tools are activated for various components in a multiple component bitstream, leading to potential parallelization of bitstream decoding.

Abstract: In some chroma formats, monochrome processing is performed for each color component. For example, for 4:0:0, only luma components exist, and all chroma related syntax and code are not used. In addition, for 4:4:4 when separable color plane is activated, the chroma components are treated as independent luma components, and the codec may behave as if no chroma is present at all and no chroma related tools are used. To reduce redundancy in coding parameters related to chroma, in one implementation, a flag indicating the availability of chroma components is coded. In another implementation, inter-related syntax is omitted in an intra-only coding mode for video data. In addition, slice level control of LMCS is provided.

Abstract: Video coding tools can be controlled by including syntax in a video bitstream that makes better use of video decoding resources. An encoder inserts syntax into a video bitstream to enable a decoder to parse the bitstream and easily control which tools combinations are enabled, which combinations are not permitted, and which tools are activated for various components in a multiple component bitstream, leading to potential parallelization of bitstream decoding.

Abstract: Various embodiments relate to a video coding system in which some elements required for decoding are generated according to a process that not specified within the video coding system. This process is hereafter referenced to as being the “external” process. This external process may generate “external” reference pictures to be used by a decoder that is adapted to use these external pictures. Encoding method, decoding method, encoding apparatus, decoding apparatus based on this post-processing method are proposed.

Abstract: Methods (800, 900, 1600, 1700) and apparatuses (2100) for signaling decoding data in a video bitstream, wherein one uses a syntax element indicating whether the decoding data are explicitly coded in the video bitstream or inferred from previous data of the video bitstream. A bitstream, a computer-readable storage medium and a computer program product are also described.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for quantization matrix selection when using separate color plane mode so separate quantization matrices are assigned for each component of a video block. In one embodiment, even when in separate color plane mode, use of a color plane identification syntax element, such as colour_plane_id, is made for quantization matrix selection, instead of using the quantization matrices signaled for luma for all color components.

Abstract: Video coding tools can be controlled by including syntax in a video bitstream that makes better use of video decoding resources. An encoder inserts syntax into a video bitstream to enable a decoder to parse the bitstream and easily control which tools combinations are enabled, which combinations are not permitted, and which tools are activated for various components in a multiple component bitstream, leading to potential parallelization of bitstream decoding.

Abstract: A device (200, 230, 250) and a method for synchronizing the rendering of an audio/visual signal on different devices comprising an audio rendering device (220, 250) and a video rendering device (210, 230). The method comprises a synchronization phase where a synchronization signal (410, 420) is emitted (310) on each rendering device, the synchronization signals (411, 421) are captured by a microphone (130) in the synchronization module, the difference between the captured synchronization signal is measured and determines the delay to be applied either on the audio or the video signal in order to ensure accurate “lip sync”. The delay information is provided to a demultiplexer function (203, 233, 253) of the device allowing to delay either the video or the audio signal by caching the corresponding signal in memory (204, 234, 254) in its compressed form for the duration of the delay. In the preferred embodiment, the synchronization signals are identified using audio watermarks.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for detecting loudspeaker connection errors and positioning errors during calibration of a multichannel audio system to which a plurality of loudspeakers is connected. Within a calibration process of a multichannel audio system, the loudspeaker whose angle is to be measured is identified by emitting a test tone (451) and verifying (460) the conformance between angles measured and a range of acceptable angles for each loudspeaker. A positioning error is detected when the measured angle is not included in the range of acceptable angles but in the range of acceptable angles of the closest speaker. A connection error is detected when the measured angle is very different from the range of acceptable angles. In case of errors, a recommendation is expressed (470) to the user in order to make the appropriate corrections. A calibration device (100) and an audio processing device (120) implementing the method are disclosed.

Abstract: A recording is usually a mixture of signals from several sound sources. The directions of the dominant sources in the recording may be known or determined using a source localization algorithm. To isolate or focus on a target source, multiple beamformers may be used. In one embodiment, each beamformer points to a direction of a dominant source and the outputs from the beamformers are processed to focus on the target source. Depending on whether the beamformer pointing to the target source has an output that is larger than the outputs of other beamformers, a reference signal or a scaled output of the beamformer pointing to the target source can be used to determine the signal corresponding to the target source. The scaling factor may depend on a ratio of the output of the beamformer pointing to the target source and the maximum value of the outputs of the other beamformers.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for adjusting delay and gain parameters for calibrating a multichannel audio system to which a plurality of loudspeakers is connected. A calibration process includes emitting a plurality of test tones by an audio processing device on a plurality of loudspeakers with predetermined timings and amplitude levels, according to a calibration signal. A calibration device having a microphone captures the audio signal corresponding to the test tones from the listener's position. The captured audio signal is analyzed, either by the calibration device or the audio processing device, to determine the delays between loudspeakers and difference of amplitude levels between loudspeakers. Corresponding delay and gain parameters are determined and used by the audio processing device to correct the sound to be played back. A calibration device and an audio processing device implementing the method are disclosed as well as a calibration signal utilized in the calibration process.

Abstract: A process for switching television programs is wherein it detects (8, 9) and then stores (10) the appended data of intra type of programs other than the selected program, selects (10) and decodes (12), upon a command (14) for the switching over to a new program, the stored appended data relating to this new program, and temporarily transmits (13), while awaiting the decoding and transmission of the current data of the new program, the decoded appended data. Applications relate for example to the perusing of programs.

Abstract: The process for coding a scene composed of objects whose textures are defined on the basis of images or parts of images originating from various video sources is disclosed by spatially composing an image by dimensioning and positioning on the image, the other images or parts of images originating from various video sources, as to obtain a composed image, and, calculating and coding auxiliary data comprising information related to the composition of the composed image and information related to the textures of the objects.

Abstract: Block matching is a robust and simple method of motion estimation for television pictures. One important parameter in block matching is the block size. Large blocks give more reliable motion estimation than small blocks, particularly in the presence of noise on the input picture, but they produce a coarser motion vector field. However, if the motion estimation is being used for motion compensated interpolation, for example the upconversion between 50 and 100 Hz display rates, the effects on picture quality of wrong vectors for whole blocks, and also of vectors that do not correctly follow the boundaries of moving objects, can be severe. According to the invention, large block (LB) matching is combined with the performance of more localized motion vectors to get pixel motion vectors. For any pixel, the motion vector will be one of four possibilities; the vector calculated for the block containing the pixel and the vectors (V1, V2, V3, V4) of the nearest blocks horizontally, vertically and diagonally.

Abstract: A process for differential coding of a motion vector associated with a macro-block, including the steps: of determining the components of the said motion vector, of determining a prediction vector, each component of which is equal to the median value of the corresponding components of at least three candidate motion vectors, a candidate motion vector being a vector associated with a previously coded macro-block, and of subtracting the components thus obtained from the components of the vector to be coded. Implementation of the process is included.

Abstract: For motion compensated interpolation (MCI) with sub-pixel accuracy, the missing pixels need to be interpolated prior to the motion compensation. The required pixel values are stored using line and pixel delays. A switch matrix selects, in response to a motion vector, such stored pixels which are currently needed for the processing. In order to avoid sub-pixel MCI, the interpolation is carried out prior to the motion compensation. In order to avoid an increased input data rate of the motion compensation circuitry, only a standard switch matrix is used. A special arrangement of delays storing pixel values needed for the processing is used to extend the standard delay array. Because an increased number of pixels is involved, an improved sub-pixel MCI can be achieved. This is because such a delay extension does not significantly affect the decoded picture quality even if adjacent motion vectors do not exactly match the current motion vector.

Abstract: A procedure for quantification of coefficients in a variable data rate image compression system, in the form of blocks and macroblocks, the system including circuitry for transformation of blocks of pixels into blocks of coefficients, circuitry for quantification of these coefficients, circuitry for storage of coded information before transmission, and circuitry for regulation of quantification as a function of the state of the circuitry for storage.