Video decoding innovations for multithreading implementations and graphics processor unit (“GPU”) implementations are described. For example, for multithreaded decoding, a decoder uses innovations in the areas of layered data structures, picture extent discovery, a picture command queue, and/or task scheduling for multithreading. Or, for a GPU implementation, a decoder uses innovations in the areas of inverse transforms, inverse quantization, fractional interpolation, intra prediction using waves, loop filtering using waves, memory usage and/or performance-adaptive loop filtering. Innovations are also described in the areas of error handling and recovery, determination of neighbor availability for operations such as context modeling and intra prediction, CABAC decoding, computation of collocated information for direct mode macroblocks in B slices, reduction of memory consumption, implementation of trick play modes, and picture dropping for quality adjustment.

Computing collocated macroblock information for direct mode macroblocks

An electronic device and a control method thereof includes an infrared module which receives an infrared control signal having a predetermined section-specific waveform from an infrared transmitter, a switching unit which turns on/off the infrared module, and a controller which controls the switching unit to alternately turn on and off the infrared module in a predetermined cycle for recognizing the predetermined section-specific waveform of the infrared control signal. Thus, electric power consumed by an infrared module in a standby mode may be reduced while receiving a signal of an infrared transmitter.

Electronic device and control method thereof

Embodiments feature families of rate allocation and rate control methods that utilize advanced processing of past and future frame/field picture statistics and are designed to operate with one or more coding passes. At least two method families include: a family of methods for a rate allocation with picture look-ahead; and a family of methods for average bit rate (ABR) control methods. At least two other methods for each method family are described. For the first family of methods, some methods may involve intra rate control. For the second family of methods, some methods may involve high complexity ABR control and/or low complexity ABR control. These and other embodiments can involve any of the following: spatial coding parameter adaptation, coding prediction, complexity processing, complexity estimation, complexity filtering, bit rate considerations, quality considerations, coding parameter allocation, and/or hierarchical prediction structures, among others.

Video compression and transmission techniques

Video coding efficiency is improved by jointly coding the x and y components of motion vectors with a single variable length code. The motion vector components for a block of pixels are predicted based on motion vectors of neighboring blocks of pixels. The predicted x and y components are then jointly coded by assigning a single variable length code corresponding to the pair of components, rather than a separate code for each component. If the x and y components do not have a corresponding entry in the coding table, they are coded with an escape code followed by fixed length codes.

Efficient motion vector coding for video compression

Techniques and tools for encoding and decoding motion vector information for video images are described. For example, a video encoder yields an extended motion vector code by jointly coding, for a set of pixels, a switch code, motion vector information, and a terminal symbol indicating whether subsequent data is encoded for the set of pixels. In another aspect, an encoder/decoder selects motion vector predictors for macroblocks. In another aspect, a video encoder/decoder uses hybrid motion vector prediction. In another aspect, a video encoder/decoder signals a motion vector mode for a predicted image. In another aspect, a video decoder decodes a set of pixels by receiving an extended motion vector code, which reflects joint encoding of motion information together with intra/inter-coding information and a terminal symbol. The decoder determines whether subsequent data exists for the set of pixels based on e.g., the terminal symbol.

Coding of motion vector information

The method is characterized in that the pre-analysis phase performs correlation level calculations of the even and odd field blocks of the current picture with the even and odd blocks of the current picture with the even and odd field blocks of the reference picture based on motion vectors calculated during this phase and corresponding to the blocks to impose, during the coding mode decision stage and among the inter coding modes, the inter coding between fields of the same parity or of opposing parity or the inter coding between frames, according to the correlation levels.

Method or device for coding a sequence of source pictures

The invention is characterised in that the frame/field mode is selected according to the following steps: determination of a vector movement (23) associated with the co-localised macroblock (22) of the macroblock to be encoded (21) and located in the subsequent reference image, the macroblock to be encoded being pre-defined for the selection in frame/field mode; scaling (24) of the vector movement (23) according to temporal distances between the reference images corresponding to the vector movement and between the current image, frame/field according to the pre-defined mode, and a reference image selected from the reference images corresponding to the movement vector; determination of the temporal macroblock (25) in the selected reference image, designated by the scaled (24) movement vector attributed to the macroblock to be encoded (21), and determination of the frame/field encoding mode thereof; and selection of the frame/field encoding mode of the temporal macroblock (25) for the encoding of the current macroblock (21). The applications relate to the compression of data using for example the norm MPEG 4 part 10.

Derivation of Frame/Field Encoding Mode for a Pair of Video Macroblocks

High Dynamic Range (HDR) is a strong candidate for the next video format, closer to the human perception for an increased user experience. However, the HDR video compression field is still under much investigation. Most of the time, HDR video codecs are based on already existing distribution-dedicated LDR video codecs, for instance H.264/AVC or H.265/HEVC. Some coding methods use two instances of a LDR codec: one for the LDR layer and one for the HDR residual layer. Other methods encode HDR frames directly using a high profile professional codec with a bit-depth well beyond the standard 8 bits. In this paper, we present a technique that requires only one instance of an 8-bit distribution codec. Our technique transforms HDR frames into LDR-like ones and uses metadatas to help the decoder to achieve a good HDR reconstruction. Results show that our solution performs well for bit-rate targeted in broadcast video content.

High dynamic range video distribution using existing video codecs

High Dynamic Range (HDR) is considered as a major feature that will bring to the end-user a significantly improved experience, closer to the human perception. It is even considered as possibly more important than increased spatial or temporal resolutions. Its deployment in a mid-term future would preferably require coding solutions able to re-use existing or in-coming video codec. This paper presents an HDR video coding scheme aiming at offering high compression performance while re-using legacy low bit-depth decoders (e.g. AVC 8-bit, HEVC 8or 10-bit). To this end, we propose a fully generic solution that can be configured to guarantee backward compatibility with LDR devices (decoders and displays). The proposed technique transforms HDR frames into LDR-like ones and uses sideand meta-data to help the decoder achieve a good HDR reconstruction. Results show that this solution performs well for bit-rate typically targeted in broadcast or internet streaming video applications.

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HDR Video Coding based on Local LDR Quantization

The invention relates to a method for processing a video sequence formed by at least two video images, said method comprising:
 obtaining said at least two video images using a first capture module with a first field of view, each video image representing a same scene captured at different instants or from different points of view, wherein said method comprises: determining luminance information from at least one overall image obtained by a second capture module with a second field of view greater than said first field of view, said overall image representing the scene captured at different instants or from different points of view, down-converting a dynamic range of said video images taking into account said luminance information.

Yannick Olivier

Papers

Method or device for coding a sequence of source pictures

Derivation of Frame/Field Encoding Mode for a Pair of Video Macroblocks

High dynamic range video distribution using existing video codecs

HDR Video Coding based on Local LDR Quantization

Method for processing a video sequence, corresponding device, computer program and non-transitory computer-readable medium