3D TV Simulcast Encoder Multiplexing MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 Streams
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current MPEG standards do not specify how to simulcast two views for 3D display, leading to compatibility issues with mixed MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 decoders, and existing broadcast-centric standards restrict sending two video streams with the same compression standard in a single program, complicating 3D TV distribution.
Innovation Solution
A 3D video encoder and decoder system that independently compresses base and nonbase views into separate streams, multiplexing them into a transport stream for simultaneous broadcast, allowing for different or same compression standards, and includes a descriptor for decoder instructions to render 3D video.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If two video streams are sent in separate programs, then compatibility with broadcast standards is maintained, but system complexity increases due to requiring additional tuner and time base synchronization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two independently compressed video streams (left eye and right eye views) into a single program by assigning different stream types within the same program map table entry. This merging approach maintains compatibility with broadcast standards while eliminating the need for separate tuners and complex time base synchronization between programs.
2Productivity
If both eye views are compressed using the same encoding standard, then coding efficiency is improved, but backward compatibility is lost for systems with mixed MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 decoders
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different compression standards to different views based on the capabilities of the receiving system. For backward compatibility, the left eye view is compressed using MPEG-2 while the right eye view uses MPEG-4. This local differentiation allows legacy MPEG-2 decoders to process the left eye view while 3D-capable systems can utilize both views with higher efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the stream type parameter in the program map table to indicate that two video components with different compression standards can coexist in the same program. This parameter modification enables the system to support multiple encoding standards within a single program, resolving the compatibility issue while maintaining coding efficiency.
3Reliability
If current MPEG standards are used for simulcasting, then standard compliance is maintained, but the standards do not specify how to decode and combine the two views for 3D display
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a descriptor in the transport stream that carries information about the two views and their corresponding stream types. This descriptor acts as an intermediary that guides the decoder on how to properly decode and combine the two independently compressed video streams into a 3D display, maintaining standard compliance while simplifying the decoding process.
Data Source
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AI summary
A three-dimensional (3D) video encoder includes a first encoder, a second encoder, and a multiplexer. The first encoder is configured to encode a base view to form a first independently compressed video stream associated with video content. The second encoder is configured to encode a nonbase view to form a second independently compressed video stream associated with the video content. The multiplexer is configured to multiplex the first and second independently compressed video streams associated with the video content to form a transport stream. The transport stream is operable to be processed to render a 3D video using the base and nonbase views.