Backward-Compatible UHD EDR Video Coding via Layered Stream Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current video compression technologies face challenges in supporting backward compatibility with legacy devices while enabling the encoding and decoding of ultra-high definition (UHD) signals with enhanced dynamic range (EDR), as they often require new standards and hardware to fully utilize the enhanced capabilities of UHD and HDR formats.
Innovation Solution
A backward-compatible coding system is developed, utilizing a layered stream approach with a base layer encoder for legacy compatibility and an enhancement layer encoder for UHD EDR, employing polynomial predictors and multi-channel multiple regression models, along with non-linear quantizers to efficiently encode and decode UHD EDR signals, allowing both legacy and advanced decoders to process the content effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a new video compression standard is developed to support UHD EDR signals, then coding efficiency and image quality are improved, but device complexity and incompatibility with legacy devices increase
Solution Approach 1:
The video signal is divided into two separate layers: a base layer encoded with H.264/AVC for legacy device compatibility, and an enhancement layer encoded with HEVC for UHD EDR capability. This segmentation allows different device types to process only the layers they support, resolving the contradiction between advanced coding efficiency and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The layered stream structure provides universal compatibility by enabling both legacy devices (which process only the base layer) and advanced UHD EDR devices (which process both layers) to effectively utilize the same encoded bitstream. This multi-functionality resolves the incompatibility issue while maintaining high coding efficiency for advanced devices.
2Manufacturing precision
If a new video compression standard is developed to support UHD EDR signals, then image quality is improved, but compatibility with legacy devices deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The video signal is divided into two separate layers: a base layer encoded with H.264/AVC for legacy device compatibility, and an enhancement layer encoded with HEVC for UHD EDR capability. This segmentation allows different device types to process only the layers they support, resolving the contradiction between advanced coding efficiency and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The enhancement layer is nested within the overall bitstream structure alongside the base layer. Advanced devices can extract and process both layers for high-quality UHD EDR output, while legacy devices simply ignore the enhancement layer and process only the base layer. This nesting structure enables universal compatibility without sacrificing image quality for advanced devices.
3Productivity
If complex compression techniques are used to improve coding efficiency, then compression efficiency is improved, but coding complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The video signal is divided into two separate layers: a base layer encoded with H.264/AVC for legacy device compatibility, and an enhancement layer encoded with HEVC for UHD EDR capability. This segmentation allows different device types to process only the layers they support, resolving the contradiction between advanced coding efficiency and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution applies partial action by implementing complex HEVC-based compression techniques only in the enhancement layer, while the base layer uses simpler H.264/AVC encoding. This allows advanced compression to be applied where it provides the most benefit (in the enhancement layer for UHD EDR) without unnecessarily increasing complexity for legacy compatibility purposes.
Data Source
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AI summary
Video data with both ultra-high definition (UHD) resolution and high or enhanced dynamic range (EDR) data are coded in a backward-compatible layered stream which allows legacy decoders to extract an HD standard dynamic range (SDR) signal. In response to a base layer HD SDR signal, a predicted signal is generated using separate luma and chroma prediction models. In the luma predictor, luma pixel values of the predicted signal are computed based only on luma pixel values of the base layer, while in the chroma predictor, chroma pixel values of the predicted signal are computed based on both the luma and the chroma pixel values of the base layer. A residual signal is computed based on the input UHD EDR signal and the predicted signal. The base layer and the residual signal are coded separately to form a coded bitstream. A compatible dual-layer decoder is also presented.