Abstract: The input image controller reduces the frame rate of a motion image signal as a preprocessing, provides process information indicating the skipped frames and/or skipped fields to the image coder, wherein the image coder codes, by use of the MPEG 2 method, the motion image signal whose frame rate has been reduced, and outputs the data which is in conformity with the MPEG 2 method and includes overhead information on the basis of the process information.

Abstract: A picture analyzer detects coding difficulty information by analyzing the source picture data. A picture converter converts the format of the source picture data using spatial conversion or temporal conversion, or both. A coding unit then codes the converted picture data output from the picture converter. A preprocess controller controls the picture converter based on the coding difficulty information, selecting either spatial conversion or temporal conversion, or both. The resulting encoded picture features visually outstanding image quality in which block distortion is not conspicuous, and the coding unit avoids using a coarser than necessary quantization step even when the bit rate is low.

Abstract: A picture analyzer detects coding difficulty information by analyzing the source picture data. A picture converter converts the format of the source picture data using spatial conversion or temporal conversion, or both. A coding unit then codes the converted picture data output from the picture converter. A preprocess controller controls the picture converter based on the coding difficulty information, selecting either spatial conversion or temporal conversion, or both. The resulting encoded picture features visually outstanding image quality in which block distortion is not conspicuous, and the coding unit avoids using a coarser than necessary quantization step even when the bit rate is low.

Abstract: The input image controller reduces the frame rate of a motion image signal as a preprocessing, provides process information indicating the skipped frames and/or skipped fields to the image coder, wherein the image coder codes, by use of the MPEG 2 method, the motion image signal whose frame rate has been reduced, and outputs the data which is in conformity with the MPEG 2 method and includes overhead information on the basis of the process information.

Abstract: An image encoding/transmitting apparatus and method implemented by applying the vector quantization technology utilizing the differential pulse code modulation system in which an estimated error signal is compared with a threshold value to generate a change or movement detection signal and a differential signal, which are then quantized so as to be transmitted and received wherein the polarity of the differential signal is judged by a polarity judgment circuit, a polarity is assigned to the threshold value based on the judgment value by a polarity adding circuit, the differential signal is corrected depending on the threshold value with the polarity, and the corrected differential signal is quantized so as to be transmitted and received.