Abstract: Various methods, apparatuses and computer program products for video encoding and decoding. In some embodiments a data structure is encoded that is associated with a base-layer picture and an enhancement-layer picture in a file or a stream comprising a base layer of a first video bitstream and/or an enhancement layer of a second video bitstream, wherein the enhancement layer may be predicted from the base layer; and into the data structure information that is indicative of whether the base-layer picture is regarded as an intra random access point picture for enhancement layer decoding is also encoded. If the base-layer picture is regarded as an intra random access point picture for enhancement layer decoding; the data structure information is further indicative of the type of the intra random access point IRAP picture for the decoded base-layer picture to be used in the enhancement layer decoding.

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: 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: 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: 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. 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: 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: associating a first set of data units into a first bitstream partition and associating a second set of data units into a second bitstream partition, where the first set comprises data units different from those of the second set; inputting the first bitstream partition into a first buffer; inputting the second bitstream partition into a second buffer; obtaining buffering parameters for at least one of the second bitstream partition and the second buffer; and using the buffering parameters in at least one of inputting the second bitstream partition into the second buffer and outputting from the second buffer.

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: In one aspect, a method includes receiving a multimedia data block. The multimedia data block includes a plurality of data parts. The method further includes interleaving the plurality of data parts to form an interleaved data block based on a priority order. The priority order based on a multimedia data type of the data parts. The method further includes transmitting the interleaved data block. In another aspect, a method includes receiving one or more data parts of an interleaved multimedia data block and determining a first data part of the one or more data parts based on information. The method further includes determining a schedule entry in a schedule for the first data part based on other information.

Abstract: An encoder for encoding a video signal, wherein the encoder is configured to generate an encoded scalable data stream comprising a base layer and at least one enhancement layer, wherein the encoder is further configured to generate information associated with each of the base layer and the at least one enhancement layer.

Abstract: There are disclosed various methods, apparatuses and computer program products for video encoding and decoding. In some embodiments a method comprises at least one of the following: encoding into a bitstream an indication that motion fields are stored, but only for inter-layer motion prediction; encoding into a bitstream an indication on a limited scope of motion field usage; encoding into a bitstream an indication whether or not to use the motion field for prediction; encoding into a bitstream an indication of storage parameters for storing motion information.

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: 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: There are disclosed various methods, apparatuses and computer program products for video encoding and decoding. In some embodiments of the method second motion information is decoded for a second block; two or more parameters of adjustment are determined for said second motion information in order to be used for decoding of a first block, said two or more parameters being selected among a spatial resolution scaling factor and/or offset, an inter-view scaling factor and/or offset, a disparity offset, a temporal scaling factor and/or offset, and/or zero or more other scaling factors and/or offsets. Said second motion information is adjusted/mapped with said two or more parameters; and said adjusted/mapped second motion information is utilized for decoding of the first block.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to video coding for multi-view video content. It provides a coding system enabling scalability for the multi-view video content. In one embodiment, a method is provided for encoding at least two views representative of a video scene, each of the at least two views being encoded in at least two scalable layers, wherein one of the at least two scalable layers representative of one view of the at least two views is encoded with respect to a scalable layer representative of the other view of the at least two views.

Abstract: There are disclosed various methods, apparatuses and computer program products for video coding. In some embodiments motion parameters are obtained for a block of first layer samples and a first layer reference picture for the block of first layer samples is identified. A second layer reference picture corresponding to the first layer reference picture is identified, intermediate reference picture samples are derived by using sample values of the first layer reference picture and information based on sample values of the second layer reference picture, and inter-layer reference picture samples are derived by using intermediate reference picture samples and first layer samples. In some embodiments motion compensated sample values are derived from the second layer reference picture on the basis of the motion parameters; and an inter-layer reference block is derived by using residual sample values of first layer samples and motion compensated sample values from the second layer reference picture.

Abstract: There are disclosed various methods, apparatuses and computer program products for video encoding and decoding. In some embodiments diagonal inter-layer prediction is enabled by providing an indication of a reference picture. In some embodiments the indication is provided as a combination of a temporal picture identifier and a layer identifier of the reference picture in another layer than the picture to be predicted. In an encoding method a first picture of a first layer representing a first time instant is encoded; a second picture representing a second time instant on a second layer is predicted by using the first picture as a reference picture; and a temporal picture identifier and an indication of the first layer are provided to indicate the first picture.

Abstract: Various methods, apparatuses and computer program products for video encoding and decoding. In some embodiments a first picture having a first resolution on a first layer is encoded without inter-layer prediction; a second picture having a second resolution on a second layer is encoded without inter-layer prediction; a third picture having the second resolution on the second layer is encoded without inter-layer prediction and without temporally referencing to pictures prior to the second picture. Further, a corresponding indication is encoded. In some embodiments one or more indications are received to determine if a switching point, referring to a picture coded using inter-layer prediction, from the first layer to the second layer exists, and if so, pictures in the first layer prior to the switching point; pictures associated with the switching point; and pictures in the second layer after the switching point may be decoded.

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.