HDR Video Transmission via SEI Meta-Information Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional receivers struggle to distinguish between traditional and high dynamic range opto-electronic conversion characteristics in transmitted video data, hindering appropriate processing and display of high dynamic range video content.
Innovation Solution
A transmission apparatus that performs high dynamic range opto-electronic conversion and inserts meta-information about the conversion characteristic into the video stream's supplemental enhancement information (SEI) NAL unit, allowing high dynamic range-compliant receivers to perform suitable electro-optical conversion and display adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If high dynamic range opto-electronic conversion is performed without inserting meta-information, then transmission compatibility is maintained, but receiver ability to identify and process HDR characteristics is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses SEI (Supplemental Enhancement Information) messages as an intermediary carrier to transmit HDR conversion characteristic meta-information. The SEI message structure includes specific fields such as transfer_characteristics2 (8 bits) to indicate HDR conversion type, peak_level (16 bits) for maximum luminance, and minimum_level (16 bits) for minimum luminance. This intermediary mechanism allows rich information transmission without fundamentally altering the core video stream structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary encoding of HDR conversion characteristics into SEI messages before video transmission. The transmission apparatus encodes metadata including conversion type (e.g., STD-B67 hybrid log-gamma, ST2084 PQ curve), peak luminance, and minimum luminance into the SEI message structure in advance, allowing receivers to pre-configure appropriate electro-optical conversion parameters before actual video rendering occurs.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional opto-electronic conversion characteristic is used, then compatibility with traditional receivers is ensured, but high dynamic range video data cannot be properly processed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic adaptation mechanism where receivers first check for the presence of transfer_characteristics2 field in SEI messages to determine whether HDR conversion characteristics are available. If present, the receiver dynamically switches to HDR processing mode using the indicated conversion type (STD-B67, ST2084, etc.). If absent or incompatible, the system dynamically falls back to traditional gamma conversion, ensuring both HDR optimization and backward compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables parameter changes by encoding multiple possible conversion characteristic values in the SEI message structure. The transfer_characteristics2 field can indicate different HDR conversion types, and the peak_level/minimum_level fields provide adjustable luminance parameters. This allows the transmission apparatus to adapt parameters according to content requirements while receivers adapt their processing based on the received parameter values.
3Adaptability or versatility
If HDR conversion characteristics are transmitted without standardized format, then flexibility is maintained, but processing consistency across different receivers is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments HDR conversion characteristic information into distinct, standardized fields within the SEI message structure: transfer_characteristics2 (8 bits) for conversion type identification, peak_level (16 bits) for maximum luminance, minimum_level (16 bits) for minimum luminance, and reserved fields for future expansion. This segmentation provides both structure for consistency and flexibility for different HDR formats through the standardized field definitions.
Data Source
AI summary
A transmission apparatus includes circuitry configured to perform high dynamic range (HDR) opto-electronic conversion on HDR video data to obtain HDR transmission video data. An encoder receives input of at least the HDR transmission video data and output a video stream including coded video data, and a transmitter sends the video stream. The circuitry is further configured to insert HDR conversion characteristic meta-information into the video stream, the HDR conversion characteristic meta-information indicating a characteristic of the HDR conversion.