Data encoding and decoding

A video data encoding apparatus configured to encode input video data representing successive images of a video signal, the encoding apparatus comprising:

• a data partitioning unit configured to partition an image of the video signal into a plurality of portions, wherein
• each portion of the plurality of portions being independently decodable and represents a spatially subsampled version of the video image so that a combination of the plurality of portions represents all pixels of the video image,
• each pixel of the pixels of the video image is represented by only a respective portion of the plurality of portions,
• a first portion of the plurality of portions provides a subsampled representation of the entire video image,
• the data partitioning unit partitions the image so as to associate indicator data with the plurality of portions, the indicator data indicating the partitioning to a plurality of decoders
• the plurality of decoders having a collective processing capacity lower than maximum possible processing requirements to decode the plurality of portions,
• when processing requirements to decode the plurality of portions for the video image exceed the collective processing capacity of the plurality of decoders, the plurality of decoders cooperate to decode the whole of the first portion, and
• when the processing requirements to decode the plurality of portions for the video image do not exceed the collective processing capacity of the plurality of decoders, the plurality of decoders cooperate to decode the plurality of portions.

A video data decoding method for controlling a plurality of decoders to decode input encoded data representing a plurality of portions of a video image, each portion of the plurality of portions is independently decodable and represents a spatially subsampled version of the video image so that a combination of the plurality of portions represents all pixels of the video image, each pixel of the pixels of the video image is represented by only a respective portion of the plurality of portions, a first portion of the plurality of portions provides a subsampled representation of the entire video image, and the plurality of decoders has a collective processing capacity which is lower than maximum possible processing requirements to decode the plurality of portions, the method comprising:

• routing data of the portions to the plurality of decoders;
• controlling, when processing requirements to decode the plurality of portions for the video image exceed the collective processing capacity of the plurality of decoders, the plurality of decoders to cooperate to decode the whole of the first portion;
• controlling, when the processing requirements to decode the plurality of portions for the video image do not exceed the collective processing capacity of the plurality of decoders, the plurality of decoders to cooperate to decode the plurality of portions;
• and
• combining portions decoded by the plurality of decoders to generate a representation of the video image.

A video data encoding method for encoding input video data representing successive images of a video signal, the encoding method comprising:

• partitioning an image of the video signal into a plurality of portions,
• each portion of the plurality of portions being independently decodable and represents a spatially subsampled version of the video image so that a combination of the plurality of portions represents all pixels of the video image,
• each pixel of the pixels of the video image is represented by only a respective portion of the plurality of portions, and
• a first portion of the plurality of portions provides a subsampled representation of the entire video image;
• and
• associating indicator data with the plurality of portions to indicate the partitioning to a plurality of decoders, wherein
• the plurality of decoders having a collective processing capacity lower than maximum possible processing requirements to decode the plurality of portions,
• when processing requirements to decode the plurality of portions for the video image exceed the collective processing capacity of the plurality of decoders, the plurality of decoders cooperate to decode the whole of the first portion, and
• when the processing requirements to decode the plurality of portions for the video image do not exceed the collective processing capacity of the plurality of decoders, the plurality of decoders cooperate to decode the plurality of portions.