MPEG-2 to H.264 Transcoding via Data Reuse and Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity of transcoding MPEG-2/MPEG-4 bit streams into the H.264 format is high due to the significant differences between the two standards, requiring advanced data reuse and processing techniques to achieve efficient conversion.
Innovation Solution
A system that reuses identified data from the input MPEG-2/MPEG-4 bit stream using a decoder and re-encoder, with a mapping module, trans-scaler, and trans-rater to convert the bit stream into H.264 format, reducing complexity by leveraging existing data and processing it at the macro-block, picture, and sequence levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If full transcoding from MPEG-2/MPEG-4 to H.264 is performed using traditional methods, then coding efficiency and bandwidth management are improved, but implementation complexity increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary analysis of the input MPEG-2/MPEG-4 bitstream to identify reusable data elements (motion vectors, macroblock types, quantization parameters) before the actual transcoding process. This preliminary identification allows the re-encoder to reuse existing data without performing redundant computations, significantly reducing transcoding complexity while maintaining coding efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the approach from complete re-encoding to selective parameter reuse and adaptation. Instead of re-computing all encoding parameters, the system identifies which parameters can be directly reused from the input stream and which need adaptation for H.264 format requirements. This parameter-based approach reduces computational complexity while preserving coding efficiency.
2Device complexity
If data reuse techniques are implemented in the re-encoder, then transcoding complexity is reduced, but the ability to handle format differences between standards may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mapping module as an intermediary between the data reuse mechanism and the H.264 encoding process. This mapping module translates and adapts the reused data from MPEG-2/MPEG-4 format to H.264 format requirements, ensuring standard compatibility while allowing the benefits of data reuse to be maintained. The mapping module handles format-specific differences without requiring complete re-encoding.
Data Source
AI summary
A method/system of transcoding an MPEG 2/4 bit stream into an H.264 format, handles an input MPEG 2/4 bit stream in a decoder, and identifies certain data in the input bit stream for reuse in the H.264 format; and, reuses the identified data in a re-encoder with assistance from a mapping module in transcoding by converting the input bit stream into an output H.264 format. The identified data includes information at a macrolevel and information at a picture level. The information at the macrolevel might comprise additional stages incorporated in the re-encoder module including a Mapping Process stage, a Sub Pixel Refinement stage, a Mode Selection stage to choose from Intra, Inter or Skip modes, followed by the standard H.264 encoding loop and the Entropy Coding Block. The information at the picture level might include; a) average quantizer of frame, and, b) total bits per frame.