Abstract: Transcoding hierarchical B-frames with rate-distortion optimization in the DCT domain is described. More particularly, and in one aspect, input media content is transcoded from an original bit rate to a reduced bit rate. The input media content includes multiple hierarchical bidirectional frames (“B-frames”), multiple intra-frames (I-frames), and multiple predictive frames (P-frames). Each B-frame is open-loop transcoded in view of the reduced bit rate by optimizing texture and motion rate-distortion in the DCT domain to generate a respective portion of transcoded media content. The transcoded media content, which includes transcoded B-frames, I-frames, and P-frames, is provided to a user for viewing.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide vision-based image compression. In one implementation, inpainting is the vision-based technique selected to augment a conventional signal-processing-based technique. For some regions of a source image, an exemplary system efficiently extracts and organizes structural edge information instead of compressing the regions. In one implementation, the system applies binary curve fitting to capture the edge information. A structure-aware inpainter in the decoder can then restore the regions via the edge information, which occupies very little data space or minimal bandwidth in a bitstream that is transmitted from encoder to decoder. Key visual components of the image can still be conventionally compressed. Extracting edge information for some regions instead of compressing them considerably increases overall image compression.

Abstract: Exemplary generic file storage for scalable media is described. In one implementation, stored scalable media streams are related as nodes of a directed acyclic graph (DAG) in which directed edges between the nodes describe relationships between scalable media streams. Many different presentations of a media content can be delivered from a DAG storage file. Data space is reduced because different presentations can avail of the same sub-trees in the DAG. In one implementation, exemplary DAG storage files for scalable media have an information structure that allows the DAG file to self-tailor and/or allocate the scalabilities of the media content presentations it is capable of delivering in order to suit the characteristics of a requesting entity.

Abstract: A seamless bitstream switching schema is presented. The schema takes advantage of both the high coding efficiency of non-scalable bitstreams and the flexibility of scalable bitstreams. Small bandwidth fluctuations are accommodated by the scalability of the bitstreams, while large bandwidth fluctuations are tolerated by switching among scalable bitstreams. This seamless bitstream switching schema significantly improves the efficiency of scalable video coding over a broad range of bit rates.

Abstract: A seamless bitstream switching schema is presented. The schema takes advantage of both the high coding efficiency of non-scalable bitstreams and the flexibility of scalable bitstreams. Small bandwidth fluctuations are accommodated by the scalability of the bitstreams, while large bandwidth fluctuations are tolerated by switching among scalable bitstreams. This seamless bitstream switching schema significantly improves the efficiency of scalable video coding over a broad range of bit rates.

Abstract: A seamless bitstream switching schema is presented. The schema takes advantage of both the high coding efficiency of non-scalable bitstreams and the flexibility of scalable bitstreams. Small bandwidth fluctuations are accommodated by the scalability of the bitstreams, while large bandwidth fluctuations are tolerated by switching among scalable bitstreams. This seamless bitstream switching schema is significantly improves the efficiency of scalable video coding over a broad range of bit rates.

Abstract: A motion-compensated video encoding scheme employs progressive fine-granularity layered coding to encode macroblocks of video data into frames having multiple layers, including a base layer of comparatively low quality video and multiple enhancement layers of increasingly higher quality video. Some of the enhancement layers in a current frame are predicted from different quality layers in reference frames. The video encoding scheme estimates drifting errors during the encoding and chooses a coding mode for each macroblock in the enhancement layer to maximize high coding efficiency while minimizing drifting errors.

Abstract: A motion-compensated video encoding scheme employs progressive fine-granularity layered coding to encode macroblocks of video data into frames having multiple layers, including a base layer of comparatively low quality video and multiple enhancement layers of increasingly higher quality video. Some of the enhancement layers in a current frame are predicted from different quality layers in reference frames. The video encoding scheme estimates drifting errors during the encoding and chooses a coding mode for each macroblock in the enhancement layer to maximize high coding efficiency while minimizing drifting errors.

Abstract: Improved methods and apparatuses are provided for switching of streaming data bitstreams, such as, for example, used in video streaming and other related applications. Some desired functionalities provided herein include random access, fast forward and fast backward, error-resilience and bandwidth adaptation. The improved methods and apparatuses can be configured to increase coding efficiency of and/or reduce the amount of data needed to encode a switching bitstream.

Abstract: In accordance with certain aspects of the present invention, methods and apparatuses are provided according to a seamless bitstream switching scheme. The seamless switching scheme can be used with scalable video bitstreams, and can take advantage of both the high coding efficiency of non-scalable bitstreams and the flexibility of scalable bitstreams. Small bandwidth fluctuations can be accommodated by the scalability of the bitstreams, while large bandwidth fluctuations can be tolerated by switching among scalable bitstreams. The flexible and effective scheme for seamless switching among scalable bitstreams significantly improves the efficiency of scalable video coding over a broad bit rate range.

Abstract: A motion-compensated video encoding scheme employs progressive fine-granularity layered coding to encode macroblocks of video data into frames having multiple layers, including a base layer of comparatively low quality video and multiple enhancement layers of increasingly higher quality video. Some of the enhancement layers in a current frame are predicted from different quality layers in reference frames. The video encoding scheme estimates drifting errors during the encoding and chooses a coding mode for each macroblock in the enhancement layer to maximize high coding efficiency while minimizing drifting errors.