Abstract: There is provided a slice header prediction method and apparatuses for 3D video encoding and decoding. In some example embodiments the following features can be derived from the header prediction method. Any decoding order of texture and depth view components may be supported. Also flexible prediction of syntax elements from any slice header appearing earlier in decoding order within the same access unit is allowed. The prediction can be turned on or off on view component basis. The syntax elements of the slice header may be categorized in a few sets and the use of the prediction as well as the prediction source for each set can be individually controlled. By using some example embodiments of the method all syntax elements of the slice header may be predicted.

Abstract: A method and related apparatus, the method comprising receiving a bitstream comprising picture data units on one or more scalability layers; determining a first set of layers that are decoded from the bitstream; decoding, from or along the bitstream, a first indication indicative of an end of a coded picture, wherein the first indication is associated with a first layer identifier; decoding, from or along the bitstream, a second indication indicative of a second set of layers that are not present in an access unit; and determining an end of the access unit, when the first layer identifier is the greatest among the first set of layers, or all layers with a layer identifier greater than the first identifier among the first set of layers are included in the second set of layers.

Abstract: A method comprising decoding one or both chroma components of a coded texture picture into one or two decoded chroma sample arrays, obtaining a reference sample array on the basis of said one or two decoded chroma sample arrays, and forming a decoded depth view component on the basis of said reference sample array; encoding one or two chroma components of a texture picture into one or two coded chroma components and reconstructing one or two reconstructed chroma sample arrays, obtaining a reference sample array on the basis of said one or two reconstructed chroma sample arrays, and using the reference sample array as a reference for prediction in encoding of a depth view component.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method, an apparatus, a server, a client and a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising a computer program stored therein for multi view video coding and decoding. View random access (VRA) pictures or access units are coded into a multiview bitstream. VRA pictures enable starting the decoding of a subset of the views present in the bitstream. The views selected to be accessible in VRA pictures are alternated in successive VRA pictures so that all views are gradually reconstructed when two or more VRA pictures have been decoded.

Abstract: There are disclosed various methods, apparatuses and computer program products for video encoding and decoding. In other embodiments, there is provided a method, an apparatus, a computer readable storage medium stored with code thereon for use by an apparatus, and a video encoder, for encoding a scalable bitstream, to provide indicating an encoding configuration, where only samples and syntax from intra coded pictures of base layer is used for coding the enhancement layer pictures.

Abstract: A method comprising: encoding a first picture on a first scalability layer and on a lowest temporal sub-layer; encoding a second picture on a second scalability layer and on the lowest temporal sub-layer, wherein the first picture and the second picture represent the same time instant, encoding one or more first syntax elements, associated with the first picture, with a value indicating that a picture type of the first picture is other than a step-wise temporal sub-layer access (STSA) picture; encoding one or more second syntax elements, associated with the second picture, with a value indicating that a picture type of the second picture is a step-wise temporal sub-layer access picture; and encoding at least a third picture on a second scalability layer and on a temporal sub-layer higher than the lowest temporal sub-layer.

Abstract: There are disclosed various methods, apparatuses and computer program products for video encoding. In some embodiments pictures are encoded into a bitstream. The bitstream comprises at least two scalability layers and pictures being associated with access units. A first indication and a second indication are encoded into the bitstream. The first indication is configured to indicate an output layer. And the second indication is configured to indicate at least one alternative output layer. A first picture of said at least one alternative output layer is output by a decoding process of the bitstream when no picture of the output layer is in an access unit containing said first picture of said at least one alternative output layer.

Abstract: A method comprising: receiving a first description of a first file, the first description including properties of at least a derived image included in or referred to by the first file; determining, based on the properties of the derived image, whether to obtain the derived image; and in response to determining to obtain the derived image, obtaining the first file comprising the derived image.

Abstract: A method and related apparatus, the method comprising receiving a bitstream comprising picture data units on one or more scalability layers; determining a first set of layers that are decoded from the bitstream; decoding, from or along the bitstream, a first indication indicative of an end of a coded picture, wherein the first indication is associated with a first layer identifier; decoding, from or along the bitstream, a second indication indicative of a second set of layers that are not present in an access unit; and determining an end of the access unit, when the first layer identifier is the greatest among the first set of layers, or all layers with a layer identifier greater than the first identifier among the first set of layers are included in the second set of layers.

Abstract: A method includes encoding information of at least two short-term reference picture sets into a bitstream; encoding into the bitstream a structure of pictures description with an indication being indicative of which one of the at least two short-term reference picture sets to be used for decoding by a picture in question within the structure of pictures, the structure of pictures including one or more consecutive pictures in decoding order; encoding pictures according to the structure of pictures description into the bitstream.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method, an apparatus, a server, a client and a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising a computer program stored therein for multi view video coding and decoding. View random access (VRA) pictures or access units are coded into a multiview bitstream. VRA pictures enable starting the decoding of a subset of the views present in the bitstream. The views selected to be accessible in VRA pictures are alternated in successive VRA pictures so that all views are gradually reconstructed when two or more VRA pictures have been decoded.

Abstract: A method comprising: encoding pictures into a bitstream, the bitstream comprising at least two scalability layers, pictures being associated with access units and pictures being associated individually with one of the at least two scalability layers; indicating in the bitstream inter-layer prediction dependencies, indicative of direct reference layers, if any, of a first scalability layer and indirect reference layers, if any, of the first scalability layer; selecting an earlier picture in decoding order as a basis for deriving picture order count (POC) related variables for a current picture based on a pre-defined algorithm, the current picture being associated with a current scalability layer, wherein the earlier picture is the closest preceding picture, in decoding order, to the current picture among a set of pictures that are associated with the current scalability layer or any direct or indirect reference layer of the current scalability layer.

Abstract: There are disclosed various methods, apparatuses and computer program products for video encoding and decoding. In other embodiments, there is provided a method, an apparatus, a computer readable storage medium stored with code thereon for use by an apparatus, and a video encoder, for encoding a scalable bitstream, to provide indicating an encoding configuration, where only samples and syntax from intra coded pictures of base layer is used for coding the enhancement layer pictures. In other embodiments, there is provided an apparatus, a computer readable storage medium stored with code thereon for use by an apparatus, and a video decoder, for decoding a scalable bitstream, to receive indications of an encoding configuration, where only samples and syntax from intra coded pictures of base layer is used for coding the enhancement.

Abstract: There are disclosed various methods, apparatuses and computer program products for video encoding. In some embodiments pictures are encoded into a bitstream. The bitstream comprises at least two scalability layers and pictures being associated with access units. A first indication and a second indication are encoded into the bitstream. The first indication is configured to indicate an output layer. And the second indication is configured to indicate at least one alternative output layer. A first picture of said at least one alternative output layer is output by a decoding process of the bitstream when no picture of the output layer is in an access unit containing said first picture of said at least one alternative output layer.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product facilitate the viewing of a storyline defined in a video. In regards to a method, viewing by a user of different sequential areas of a video over time is monitored. The different sequential areas of the video over time define a storyline. If the storyline is followed, the video continues to be presented. However, if the storyline is not followed in that a next sequential area of the video is not viewed, a portion of the video prior to the next sequential area is caused to be repeatedly replayed in a loop. Following this repeated replay of the portion of the video, the repeated replay of the portion of the video is ceased and the presentation of the video is resumed if the storyline is followed and the next sequential area of the video in the storyline is viewed.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided in order to create and/or decode video content of a scene that includes regions having looping video of different loop lengths with the video content of the scene being configured to be repeatedly looped, such as in the form of a cinemagraph, without any temporal discontinuity. In the context of a method, the video content of a scene is encoded. The video content includes at least two regions having looping videos of different loop lengths. The method also includes constructing metadata in association with the video content. The metadata comprises information identifying a location of each region within the scene. The metadata further comprises a loop length for each of the at least two regions. The method further includes causing provision of the video content as encoded and the metadata.

Abstract: The invention relates to concatenating or splicing of scalable video bitstreams. There are disclosed various methods, apparatuses and computer program products for video encoding and decoding and modifying coded video bitstreams. In some embodiments, indications are provided in the coded video bitstream to indicate a layer-wise decoding start-up process. These indications may be generated by encoders or splicers.

Abstract: A method comprises encoding a first view component of a first view of a multiview bitstream; and encoding a second view component of a second view; wherein the encoding of the second view component enables generating of a reference picture list for the second view component to include at least one of the following: (a) a first field view component based on the first view component or (b) a first complementary field view component pair including the first view component.

Abstract: Various methods, apparatuses and computer program products for video encoding and decoding are provided. In some embodiments, to indicate a composition of pictures of different time instants, some usability information may be embedded to the video bitstream indicating the intended display behavior when more than one layer is used and associated display behavior using this information. More specifically, the embedded information may indicate how the layers need to be composed in the video bitstream. The information may indicate if the intended display behavior is to combine (overlay) base layer and enhancement layer decoded pictures. The information may indicate that the base and enhancement layer decoded pictures are allowed to be overlaid. In addition or alternatively, the information may indicate that the enhancement layer picture should not be combined with base layer picture during display.

Abstract: A method includes encoding information of at least two short-term reference picture sets into a bitstream; encoding into the bitstream a structure of pictures description with an indication being indicative of which one of the at least two short-term reference picture sets to be used for decoding by a picture in question within the structure of pictures, the structure of pictures including one or more consecutive pictures in decoding order; encoding pictures according to the structure of pictures description into the bitstream.