Abstract: Methods and apparatus to process multimedia data enabling faster channel acquisitions, improved error recovery and improved efficiency. An encoder device encodes a first portion of multimedia data using inter-coding to generate a first version, and encodes the first portion of multimedia data using intra-coding to generate a second version. A decoder device receives a first version of a first portion of multimedia data, wherein the first version is inter-coded, receives a second version of the first portion of multimedia data, wherein the second version is intra-coded, and selectively decodes the first and second received versions.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to process multimedia data enabling faster channel acquisitions, improved error recovery and improved efficiency. An encoder device encodes a first portion of multimedia data using inter-coding to generate a first version, and encodes the first portion of multimedia data using intra-coding to generate a second version. A decoder device receives a first version of a first portion of multimedia data, wherein the first version is inter-coded, receives a second version of the first portion of multimedia data, wherein the second version is intra-coded, and selectively decodes the first and second received versions.

Abstract: In general, this disclosure describes techniques for exchanging information between a plurality of encoder modules and a multiplex module to combine segments of data from the encoder modules with an improved overall quality. In particular, the encoder modules associate their respective segments of data with quality and rate information and send at least the quality and rate information associated with the segments of data to the multiplex module. The multiplex module analyzes the quality and rate information to determine whether the segments of data that encoder modules desire to include in the current superframe fit within the available bandwidth of a transmission channel. If the multiplex module determines the plurality of segments of data do not fit within the available bandwidth, the multiplex module selects one or more of the segments to be resized based on the quality and rate information received from the encoder modules.

Abstract: In general, this disclosure describes techniques for exchanging information between a plurality of encoder modules and a multiplex module to combine segments of data from the encoder modules with an improved overall quality. In particular, the encoder modules associate their respective segments of data with quality and rate information and send at least the quality and rate information associated with the segments of data to the multiplex module. The multiplex module analyzes the quality and rate information to determine whether the segments of data that encoder modules desire to include in the current superframe fit within the available bandwidth of a transmission channel. If the multiplex module determines the plurality of segments of data do not fit within the available bandwidth, the multiplex module selects one or more of the segments to be resized based on the quality and rate information received from the encoder modules.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods of using content information for encoding multimedia data are described. A method of processing multimedia data includes classifying content of multimedia data, and encoding the multimedia data in a first data group and in a second data group based on the content classification. The first and second groups are associated with quality levels. A user can request a target quality level.

Abstract: Quantization techniques are used in video coding to quantize residual coefficients. So-called “dead zone parameters” are selected in the quantization process of residual coefficients of residual video blocks. The dead zone refers to a region of magnitude for coefficients below which any coefficient will be quantized to zero. A method and apparatus of quantizing coefficient values of video blocks in a video coding scheme is provided. A quantization parameter is selected for a set of video blocks. Dead zone parameters are then selected for different video blocks in the set of video blocks. Next, the quantization parameter and the dead zone parameters are applied to quantize the coefficient values of each of the video blocks.

Abstract: This disclosure describes techniques for detecting scene transitions in a digital video sequence. An encoding device may, for example, analyze a distribution of pixel values over a plurality of frames to detect locations at which the scene transitions occur. In particular, the encoding device analyzes the distribution of pixel locations having values in a mid-range of possible pixel values to identify locations in the plurality of frames that experience a significant short-term increase in the number of pixel locations having mid-range pixel values. A significant short-term increase in the number of pixel locations with pixel values in the mid-range of possible pixel values is indicative of a soft transition. In this manner, occurrences of gradual scene transitions are detected by identifying locations within the plurality of frames that have significant short-term increases in the number of pixel locations having mid-range pixel values.

Abstract: This disclosure describes techniques for controlling a perceived quality of multimedia sequences to try to achieve a desired constant perceptual quality regardless of the content of the sequences. In particular, an encoding device may implement quality control techniques to associate a sequence segment with a content “class” based on the content of the segment, determine a perceptual quality metric of the sequence segment, and adjust at least one encoding parameter used to encode the segment is encoded such that for the perceptual quality of the sequence segment converges to the desired quality.

Abstract: This disclosure describes techniques for second pass video coding in a multi-pass video coding scenario. The coding modes for some video blocks encoded during a second pass may be changed relative to the coding modes used for such video blocks in the first pass. However, motion information does not change for those video blocks that have the changed modes. In particular, mode changes can be made in the second coding pass relative to the modes used in the first coding pass without changing the manner in which motion information will be derived at the decoder, e.g., due to similarities between the original modes of the first pass and changed modes used in the second pass. The second pass coding techniques may also include quantization parameter adjustments, and the mode changes can cause such quantization parameter adjustments to have more profound refinements effects on the second pass coding.

Abstract: Techniques for video encoding and decoding a common guide media logic channel (MLC) to enable fast acquisition and re/synchronization of the video stream while preserving compression efficiency are provided. Systems and methods to process multimedia data using channel switch frames are presented. The system comprises an encoder operative to generate a common guide media logical channel (MLC) of a plurality of channel switch frames (CSFs), each respective active channel having one or more CSFs in the guide MLC. The decoder in the system is operative to decode a set of the plurality of CSFs from the guide MLC. The decoder simultaneously displays programming content of the decoded set of the plurality of CSFs on a display and automatically switches to a primary bitstream of an active channel associated with a selected one displayed CSF.

Abstract: This disclosure describes techniques for resizing multimedia content for efficient statistical multiplexing. In response to a request to resize a current segment of data, an encoding module associated with the selected segment adjusts the amount of motion information to be encoded to resize the segment of data. For example, the encoding module associated with the selected segment of data may merge two or more motion vectors to reduce the amount of motion information to be encoded. As another example, the encoding module reselects encoding modes for one or more blocks of pixels of at least one frame within the segment of data.

Abstract: In general, this disclosure describes techniques for exchanging information between a plurality of encoder modules and a multiplex module to combine segments of data from the encoder modules with an improved overall quality. In particular, the encoder modules associate their respective segments of data with quality and rate information and send at least the quality and rate information associated with the segments of data to the multiplex module. The multiplex module analyzes the quality and rate information to determine whether the segments of data that encoder modules desire to include in the current superframe fit within the available bandwidth of a transmission channel. If the multiplex module determines the plurality of segments of data do not fit within the available bandwidth, the multiplex module selects one or more of the segments to be resized based on the quality and rate information received from the encoder modules.

Abstract: This disclosure describes techniques for adjusting encoding variables of an encoding device. In response to a request to resize a segment of data, an encoding module adjusts at least one encoding variable used to encode one or more subsequent segments of data such that the subsequent segments of data are encoded at a bit rate that is different than the bit rate at which the subsequent segments of data would have been encoded had there been no request to resize. At some point, the encoding module re-adjusts the encoding variables used to encode the segments of data such that the subsequent segments of data are encoded to achieve a desired encoding result. For example, the encoding module may re-adjust the encoding variables after a period of time or may incrementally adjust the encoding variables until the encoding variables result in achieving the desired encoding result.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for service acquisition. In an aspect, a method is provided for service acquisition. The method includes generating one or more channel switch video (CSV) signals associated with one or more multimedia signals, encoding the CSV signals and the multimedia signals to produce error coded blocks, and encapsulating the error coded blocks into a multiplex signal. In an aspect, an apparatus is provided for service acquisition. The apparatus includes a source encoder configured to generate one or more channel switch video (CSV) signals associated with one or more multimedia signals, an error encoder configured to encode the CSV signals and the multimedia signals to produce error coded blocks, and a packer configured to encapsulate the error coded blocks into a multiplex signal.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods of using content information for encoding multimedia data are described. A method of processing multimedia data includes receiving multimedia data, and encoding the multimedia data into a first data group and a second data group based on content of the multimedia data, the first data group being configured to be independently decodable from the second data group, and wherein the first and second data groups are encoded at different quality levels. The method can also include classifying the content of the multimedia data and encoding the multimedia data based on the content classification.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods of using content information for encoding multimedia data are described. A method of processing multimedia data includes classifying content of multimedia data, and encoding the multimedia data in a first data group and in a second data group based on the content classification, wherein the first data group comprises a coefficient and the second data group comprises a first differential refinement associated with the first data group coefficient. An apparatus for using content information for encoding multimedia data includes a content classifying module configured to classify content of multimedia data and provide content classification data, and an encoder configured to encode the multimedia data in a first data group and in a second data group based on the content classification, wherein the first data group comprises a coefficient and the second data group comprises a first differential refinement associated with the first data group coefficient.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods of using content information for encoding multimedia data are described. A method of processing multimedia data includes A method of processing multimedia data, including obtaining content information of multimedia data, and encoding the multimedia data to form an encoded bitstream, said encoding comprising inserting at least one redundant block of intra-coded data into the encoded bitstream based on the content information. In some aspects, the encoding comprises encoding the multimedia data into a base layer and an enhancement layer, and wherein the intra-coded data is encoded using the quantization parameter for the base layer. In other aspects, the intra-coded data is encoded using the quantization parameter for the enhancement layer.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to process multimedia data enabling faster channel acquisitions, improved error recovery and improved efficiency. An encoder device encodes a first portion of multimedia data using inter-coding to generate a first version, and encodes the first portion of multimedia data using intra-coding to generate a second version. A decoder device receives a first version of a first portion of multimedia data, wherein the first version is inter-coded, receives a second version of the first portion of multimedia data, wherein the second version is intra-coded, and selectively decodes the first and second received versions.

Abstract: A method of processing a sequence of frames of multimedia data is presented. The method provides for progressively refreshing the image data. The method includes dynamically selecting portions of frames of the sequence with progressively increasing area to refresh, and excluding non-refreshed areas as potential reference data for other frames.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods of using content information for encoding multimedia data are described. A method of processing multimedia data includes obtaining content information of multimedia data, and encoding the multimedia data so as to align a data boundary with a frame boundary in a time domain, wherein said encoding is based on the content information. In another aspect, a method of processing multimedia data includes obtaining a content classification of the multimedia data, and encoding blocks in the multimedia data as intra-coded blocks or inter-coded blocks based on the content classification to increase the error resilience of the encoded multimedia data. Apparatus that can process multimedia data described in these methods are also disclosed.