Overlay Region Coding for HDR Compatibility with Legacy Decoders
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Solution Overview
Problem
The incompatibility of newer coding standards, particularly HDR-related standards, with legacy decoding equipment, and the inefficiency in encoding hybrid images with both HDR and SDR content, leading to increased costs and complexity for content distributors.
Innovation Solution
A tier-based hierarchical coding scheme that allows for separate encoding and decoding of different quality levels, using a base layer and enhancement layers to efficiently encode and decode hybrid images, including methods for encoding HDR overlays on SDR content using LCEVC and VC-6 standards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If HDR encoding standards are used to improve video quality, then dynamic range and colour fidelity are improved, but compatibility with legacy decoding equipment deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The video signal is segmented into base layer (SDR-compatible) and enhancement layer (HDR-specific). Legacy devices decode only the base layer, while HDR-capable devices receive both layers and combine them to reconstruct the full HDR signal, thus achieving both quality improvement and backward compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution adds a temporal or layered dimension to signal distribution by providing multiple versions of the same content (SDR base layer and HDR enhancement layer) that can be selectively combined based on device capabilities, rather than forcing a single encoding format.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple encoding formats are provided to ensure content availability across different devices, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity and distribution costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple encoding formats are merged into a single hybrid bitstream structure where the base layer and enhancement layer are combined. This allows legacy devices to extract and decode only the base layer while HDR devices can access both layers, reducing distribution complexity from managing entirely separate format versions.
Solution Approach 2:
The hybrid encoding system achieves multi-functionality by designing a universal bitstream structure that serves both legacy and modern devices simultaneously. The same encoded signal can be decoded by simple legacy players or enhanced by advanced HDR-capable devices, eliminating the need for separate distribution channels.
3Manufacturing precision
If full HDR encoding is applied to entire video sequences, then colour fidelity and dynamic range are improved, but bandwidth requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
HDR quality is applied locally only to regions where it provides value, rather than uniformly across the entire video sequence. The enhancement layer contains HDR-specific data that is selectively combined with the base layer, allowing bandwidth-efficient transmission by sending only the differential HDR information rather than complete HDR re-encoding of all content.
Data Source
AI summary
A first signal (801) is processed by at least sending the first signal (801) to an encoder (804) to generate an encoded signal (805). A second signal (808) is obtained. The second signal (808) comprises an overlay region (810). The overlay region (810) of the second signal (808) comprises overlay content. At least the second signal (808) is processed to generate residual data (815). The residual data (815) is encoded to generate encoded residual data. At least the encoded residual data is output.