Abstract: Decoder retrieval timing information, ROI information and tile identification information are conveyed within a video data stream at a level which allows for an easy access by network entities such as MANEs or decoder. In order to reach such a level, information of such types are conveyed within a video data stream by way of packets interspersed into packets of access units of a video data stream. In accordance with an embodiment, the interspersed packets are of a removable packet type, i.e. the removal of these interspersed packets maintains the decoder's ability to completely recover the video content conveyed via the video data stream.

Abstract: An interleaved multi-layered video data stream with interleaved decoding units of different layers is provided with further timing control information in addition to the timing control information reflecting the interleaved decoding unit arrangement. The additional timing control information pertains to either a fallback position according to which all decoding units of an access unit are treated at the decoded buffer access unit-wise, or a fallback position according to which an intermediate procedure is used: the interleaving of the DUs of different layers is reversed according to the additionally sent timing control information, thereby enabling a DU-wise treatment at the decoder's buffer, however, with no interleaving of decoding units relating to different layers. Both fallback positions may be present concurrently. Various advantageous embodiments and alternatives are the subject of the various claims attached herewith.

Abstract: A signaling of at least one characteristic for layers of a multi-layered video signal such as, for example, for each layer the indication of dependent layers to which the respective layer directly relates via inter-layer prediction, or the signaling of the afore-mentioned second inter-dependency syntax structure, is described. A maximum syntax element is signaled within the multi-layered video signal to indicate a maximally used value of an extension layer-ID field of the packets of the multi-layered video signal, the scope of the maximum syntax element being, for example, a predetermined portion of the multi-layered video signal extending, for example, across several portions of the multi-layered video signal. Accordingly, it is feasible for devices such as decoders or network elements receiving the multi-layered video signal to gain, for a relatively large predetermined portion of the multi-layered video signal, knowledge about the actually consumed portion of the possible domain of possible values.

Abstract: The signalization of the inter-layer dependencies between layers of a multi-layered data stream is described. A good compromise between a too intensive restriction of the potential diversity of inter-layer dependencies on the one hand and a too complex signaling of the inter-layer dependencies on the other hand has been found by describing the inter-layer dependencies by way of a first inter-dependency syntax structure indicating inter-dependencies between pairs of different values representable by a base layer-ID and a second inter-dependency syntax structure indicating inter-dependencies between pairs of different values representable by an extension layer-ID, the base layer ID and extension layer ID indexing the layers the portions of the multi-layer data stream are associated with.

Abstract: A video decoder for decoding an encoded video signal including encoded picture data and indication data of a picture of a video to reconstruct the picture of the video is provided. The video decoder includes an interface configured for receiving the encoded video signal, and a data decoder configured for reconstructing the picture of the video by decoding the encoded picture data using the indication data. The picture is partitioned into a plurality of coding areas. One or more coding areas of the plurality of coding areas include two or more coding tree units of the plurality of coding tree units, wherein each coding area of the one or more coding areas which includes two or more coding tree units exhibits a coding order for the two or more coding tree units of the coding area.

Abstract: Adaptive streaming is rendered more efficiently combinable with the usage of an open GOP structure by configuring a device for retrieving a video such that the same schedules a transition phase before switching from a first video stream to the second video stream, and/or by configuring a device for outputting a video in accordance with the adaptive streaming protocol such that the same supports switching outputting the video in form of a layered video stream or an increased spatial resolution stream. A media scene composed of several channels is made more efficiently streamable spending, for each channel, a set of representations of the respective channel which differ in a temporal distribution of random access points. By this measure, a client device may schedule the switching between the representations for optimizing fast tune-in and low bitrate variations.

Abstract: A video data stream is rendered reducible in a manner so that the reduction leads to a restriction of pictures of the reduced video data stream to merely a predetermined subarea of the pictures of the original video data stream and in a manner so that transcoding, such as re-quantization, may be avoided and a conformance of the reduced video data stream relative to the codec underlying the original video data stream be maintained. This is achieved by providing the video data stream with information including an indication of the predetermined subarea and replacement indices for redirecting the indices included by the payload portion so as to refer to, and/or replacement parameters for adjusting the first set of coding parameter settings so as to result in, a second set of coding parameter settings.

Abstract: A video data stream is rendered reducible in a manner so that the reduction leads to a restriction of pictures of the reduced video data stream to merely a predetermined subarea of the pictures of the original video data stream and in a manner so that transcoding, such as re-quantization, may be avoided and a conformance of the reduced video data stream relative to the codec underlying the original video data stream be maintained. This is achieved by providing the video data stream with information including an indication of the predetermined subarea and replacement indices for redirecting the indices included by the payload portion so as to refer to, and/or replacement parameters for adjusting the first set of coding parameter settings so as to result in, a second set of coding parameter settings.

Abstract: A signaling of the layer ID is described which each of the packets of a multi-layered video signal is associated with. In particular, an efficient way of signaling this layer association is achieved, with nevertheless maintaining the backward compatibility with codecs according to which a certain value of the base layer-ID field is restricted to be non-extendable such as base layer-ID value 0 in the base layer-ID field. Instead of circumventing this restriction specifically with respect to this non-extendable base layer-ID value, the layer-ID of portions of the multi-layer data stream is signaled in an extendable manner by sub-dividing the base layer-ID field into a first sub-field and a second sub-field: whenever the first sub-field of the base layer-ID field fulfills a predetermined criterion, an extension layer-ID field is provided, and if the first sub-field of the base layer-ID field does not fulfill the predetermined criterion, the extension layer-ID field is omitted.

Abstract: Video codec for supporting temporal inter-prediction, configured to perform padding of an area of a referenced portion of a reference picture which extends beyond a border of the reference picture, which referenced portion is referenced by an inter predicted block of a current picture by selecting one of a plurality of intra-prediction modes, and padding the area using the selected intra-prediction mode.

Abstract: A signaling of the layer ID is described which each of the packets of a multi-layered video signal is associated with. In particular, an efficient way of signaling this layer association is achieved, with nevertheless maintaining the backward compatibility with codecs according to which a certain value of the base layer-ID field is restricted to be non-extendable such as base layer-ID value 0 in the base layer-ID field. Instead of circumventing this restriction specifically with respect to this non-extendable base layer-ID value, the layer-ID of portions of the multi-layer data stream is signaled in an extendable manner by sub-dividing the base layer-ID field into a first sub-field and a second sub-field: whenever the first sub-field of the base layer-ID field fulfills a predetermined criterion, an extension layer-ID field is provided, and if the first sub-field of the base layer-ID field does not fulfill the predetermined criterion, the extension layer-ID field is omitted.

Abstract: Video/picture coding of improved coding efficiency with supporting varying resolution and/or efficiently handling region-wise packing.

Abstract: Sub-picture extraction is rendered less complex by providing each slice with start position information which indicates a starting position from which onwards the picture is, along a coding path, encoded into the respective slice, relative to an onset position at which the coding path starts traversing a segment the starting position is located in. Alternatively or additionally, sub-picture extraction processes are treated like choosing one layer out of a multi-layer datastream.

Abstract: The handling of scalable data streams by network entities is rendered less complex by, in the data stream, accompanying packets which actually carry data by packets of a different packet type which have a scalability axes descriptor defining the number of scalability axes and a semantic meaning thereof. In another aspect, the handling of scalable data streams by network entities is rendered more efficient by conveying level and/or profile descriptors using packets other than the data carrying packets, with profile and/or level descriptors being divided up into a first set explicitly signaling the definition of the available coding option set and/or available syntax element value range for a respective operation point, and a second set of profile and/or level descriptors which signal the definition of the available coding option set and/or available syntax element value range for their respective operation points by reference another profile and/or level descriptor.

Abstract: A video data stream is rendered reducible in a manner so that the reduction leads to a restriction of pictures of the reduced video data stream to merely a predetermined subarea of the pictures of the original video data stream and in a manner so that transcoding, such as re-quantization, may be avoided and a conformance of the reduced video data stream relative to the codec underlying the original video data stream be maintained. This is achieved by providing the video data stream with information including an indication of the predetermined subarea and replacement indices for redirecting the indices included by the payload portion so as to refer to, and/or replacement parameters for adjusting the first set of coding parameter settings so as to result in, a second set of coding parameter settings.

Abstract: Decoder retrieval timing information, ROI information and tile identification information are conveyed within a video data stream at a level which allows for an easy access by network entities such as MANEs or decoder. In order to reach such a level, information of such types are conveyed within a video data stream by way of packets interspersed into packets of access units of a video data stream. In accordance with an embodiment, the interspersed packets are of a removable packet type, i.e. the removal of these interspersed packets maintains the decoder's ability to completely recover the video content conveyed via the video data stream.

Abstract: Immersive video streaming is rendered more efficient by introducing into an immersive video environment the concept of switching points and/or partial random access points or points where conveyed mapping information metadata indicates that the frame-to-scene mapping remains constant with respect to a first set of one or more regions while changing for another set of one or more regions. In particular, the entities involved in immersive video streaming are provided with the capability of exploiting the circumstance that immersive video material often shows constant frame-to-scene mapping with respect to a first set of one or more regions in the frames, while differing in the frame-to-scene mapping only with respect to another set of one or more regions.

Abstract: Various concepts for media content streaming are described. Some allow for streaming spatial scene content in a spatially unequal manner so that the visible quality for the user is increased, or the processing complexity or used bandwidth at the streaming retrieval site is decreased. Others allow for streaming spatial scene content in a manner enlarging the applicability to further application scenarios.

Abstract: Parallel processing concepts such as wavefront parallel processing, are realized with a reduced end-to-end delay by giving up the usual slice concept according to which slices are either coded/decoded completely independent from areas of the picture outside of the respective slice, or at least independent from areas outside the respective slice as far as the entropy coding is concerned, namely in favor of slices of different modes, namely ones called dependent slices which allow for interdependencies across slice boundaries, and others which do not, called normal slices, for example. Combined with the aspect or not, WPP processing concept is made more efficiently by using the slices' start syntax portions to locate WPP entry points.

Abstract: The handling of scalable data streams by network entities is rendered less complex by, in the data stream, accompanying packets which actually carry data by packets of a different packet type which have a scalability axes descriptor defining the number of scalability axes and a semantic meaning thereof. In another aspect, the handling of scalable data streams by network entities is rendered more efficient by conveying level and/or profile descriptors using packets other than the data carrying packets, with profile and/or level descriptors being divided up into a first set explicitly signaling the definition of the available coding option set and/or available syntax element value range for a respective operation point, and a second set of profile and/or level descriptors which signal the definition of the available coding option set and/or available syntax element value range for their respective operation points by reference another profile and/or level descriptor.