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, apparatus and computer program products are provided for capturing omnidirectional video with one or more cameras, streaming the video over a network, and rendering the video on a Head Mounted Display (HMD) and more specifically to a method, apparatus, and computer program product for improving the visual quality of viewport-based omnidirectional video streaming. One example method includes selecting a primary viewport, encoding a first representation that covers the primary viewport, and encoding a second representation that provides a gradual picture quality change from a background viewport to the primary viewport.

Abstract: A reference picture marking process and a reference picture list management process is handled in a unified reference picture marking and reference picture list management process. A new idle reference picture list may be used for handling reference pictures that are not used for reference in the current picture. Differential coding of picture order count may be used to increase coding efficiency. The reference picture management syntax structure may be sent in the picture parameter set for improved coding efficiency e.g. in regular GOP (group of pictures) arrangements.

Abstract: A method comprising encoding a bitstream comprising a base layer, a first enhancement layer and a second enhancement layer; encoding an indication of both the base layer and the first enhancement layer used for prediction for the second enhancement layer in the bitstream; encoding, in the bitstream, an indication of a first set of prediction types that is applicable from the base layer to the second enhancement layer, wherein the first set of prediction types is a subset of all prediction types available for prediction between layers, and encoding, in the bitstream, an indication of a second set of prediction types that is applicable from the base layer or the first enhancement layer to the second enhancement layer, wherein the second set of prediction types is a subset of all prediction types available for prediction between layers.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method, apparatus and computer program product in which a view synthesis prediction utilizes a depth map, disparity information or other ranging information of a co-located reference frame in another view. A first uncompressed texture block of a first texture picture representing a first view and ranging information associated with the first uncompressed texture block are obtained. Disparity information with reference to a second view is derived on the basis of the ranging information. Reference samples of the second view are obtained on the basis of the disparity information. A view synthesis prediction is performed by using the reference samples to obtain a reference block for encoding the first uncompressed texture block.

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: 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. The type of prediction used for a reference picture index may be signaled in the video bit-stream. The omission of motion vectors from the video bit-stream for a certain image element may also be signaled; signaling may indicate to the decoder that motion vectors used in prediction are to be construed at the decoder. The construction of motion vectors may take place by using disparity information that has been obtained from depth information of the picture being used as a reference.

Abstract: There are disclosed various methods, apparatuses and computer program products for video encoding. According to an embodiment, an encoding method comprises including a static media item into a container file; including one or more media tracks into the container file; indicating, in the file, that the static media item and one or more entities form a group; and indicating, in the file, a grouping type for the group. According to an embodiment, a decoding method comprises parsing, from a container file, that a static media item and one or more entities form a group; parsing, from the container file, a grouping type for the group; determining a processing for the static media item and the one or more of the entities based on the group and the grouping type.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided to provide the rendering of audiovisual content, such as 360-degree virtual reality content, in a manner that allows for control over whether, and to what degree, the content presented to a viewer should take into account the relative positioning of the content with respect to the viewer. In particular, implementations are presented that allow for situational control over the rendering of content based on an initial observation setup associated with a segment or subsegment of content, the orientation of the viewing device, and/or the manner in which the segment or subsegment is accessed by a playback device.

Abstract: A reference picture marking process and a reference picture list management process is handled in a unified reference picture marking and reference picture list management process. A new idle reference picture list may be used for handling reference pictures that are not used for reference in the current picture. Differential coding of picture order count may be used to increase coding efficiency. The reference picture management syntax structure may be sent in the picture parameter set for improved coding efficiency e.g. in regular GOP (group of pictures) arrangements.

Abstract: There is provided methods, apparatuses and computer program products for forming a plurality of syntax element assignments, each syntax element assignment relating to a subset of parameters of a set of parameters, and each syntax element assignment comprising assignments of values to said related subset of parameters, forming an index for each of said plurality of syntax element assignments, forming a plurality of combination parameter sets, each combination parameter set comprising indexes of a plurality of said syntax element assignments of said subsets of parameters, and encoding at least one said combination parameter set into a video bitstream for determining parameter values for video decoding.

Abstract: In accordance with an example embodiment of the invention there is at least a method and apparatus to perform operations including determining, by a media recording device, a differential location sample identifying a current location in time associated with the media recording device relative to a reference location; and at least one of storing and transmitting, by the media recording device, the differential location sample in an audio-visual media file. In accordance with another example embodiment of the invention there is at least a method and apparatus to perform operations including receiving and parsing, by a parser device, a plurality of differential location samples of an audio-visual media file to identify an absolute location of a media recording device.

Abstract: A method comprising encoding a bitstream comprising a base layer, a first enhancement layer and a second enhancement layer; encoding an indication of both the base layer and the first enhancement layer used for prediction for the second enhancement layer in the bitstream; encoding, in the bitstream, an indication of a first set of prediction types that is applicable from the base layer to the second enhancement layer, wherein the first set of prediction types is a subset of all prediction types available for prediction between layers, and encoding, in the bitstream, an indication of a second set of prediction types that is applicable from the base layer or the first enhancement layer to the second enhancement layer, wherein the second set of prediction types is a subset of all prediction types available for prediction between layers.

Abstract: There are disclosed various methods, apparatuses and computer program products for media encapsulating and decapsulating. A container file according to a first format is obtained or generated including or referring to at least two media data units and to an obtained or generated metadata item according to a second format, the metadata item being valid for one or more media data units; and scope information is included in the container file indicating said one or more of said at least two media data units. There is also disclosed a method comprising receiving the container file; receiving the metadata item; and parsing from the container file the scope information; selecting one or more of said at least two media data units on the basis of the scope information; and determining the validity of the metadata item for said one or more of said at least two media data units.

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.

Abstract: A method and related apparatus for decoding an image sequence from a bitstream, wherein an identifier indicating if all output pictures are decodable with a predefined set of reference pictures is decoded; an indication of required reference pictures for a given output picture is decoded; the indicated at least one reference picture for the given output picture is decoded; and the at least one output picture is decoded.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform: determining at least a first signal and an associated second signal; storing the first signal in a first file; generating in the first file and associated with the first signal a reference pointer to a location; and storing at the location indicated by the reference pointer the second signal associated with the first signal.

Abstract: There are disclosed various methods, apparatuses and computer program products for video encoding. In some embodiments the method for encoding comprises examining availability of a depth block co-located with a texture block, determining a prediction method for a texture block on the basis of availability of a co-located depth block; and deriving a first prediction block for the texture block on the basis of the availability of the co-located depth block. The method further comprises deriving a first prediction block for the texture block on the basis of the co-located depth block, if the co-located depth block is available, and otherwise deriving a second prediction block for the texture block without using the co-located depth block. There are also disclosed corresponding method for various methods, apparatuses and computer program products for video decoding.