Video encoding method and apparatus
OwnerSrinath Venkatachalapathy Ramaswamyinventor
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Abstract
An exemplary video encoder is disclosed that quantizes pel blocks of a video signal based upon one or more of the following: (i) an actual bit distribution of a previously encoded video frame, (ii) a required decoding delay for a splice point, and (iii) an activity measure of a pel block being encoded. Moreover, an exemplary video encoder uses the above quantization techniques to obtain an encoded video stream having seamless in points and seamless out points. Video encoding methods that utilize the above quantization methods are also disclosed.
Claims5
A method of encoding a video signal, comprising the steps of:
- a) encoding a first video frame of said video signal to obtain an encoded first video frame, said first video frame comprising one or more pel blocks;
- b) obtaining an actual bit distribution indicative of a number of bits used to encode each pel block of said first video frame;
- c) determining a quantization value for a pel block of a second video frame of said plurality of video frames based upon said actual bit distribution;
- and
- d) encoding said pel block based upon said quantization value obtained for said pel block.
A computer readable medium comprising code which when executed by a video encoder causes said video encoder to:
- a) encode a first video frame of a video to obtain an encoded first video frame, said first video frame comprising one or more pel blocks;
- b) obtain an actual bit distribution indicative of a number of bits used to encode each pel block of said first video frame;
- c) determine a quantization value for a pel block of a second video frame of said video signal based upon said actual bit distribution;
- and
- d) encode said pel block of said second video frame based upon said quantization value determined for said pel block.
A video encoder for encoding a video signal comprising a plurality of video frames, comprising:
- a rate control processor operable to
- determine for a block of a first video frame of said video signal, an activity measure that is indicative of a variance among a plurality of pels of said block,
- determine an estimated number of bits for encoding a portion of said first video frame,
- determine a target error for said first video frame that is based upon said estimated target number of bits and an actual number of bits used to encode said portion of said first video frame, and
- determine a quantization value for said block based upon said activity measure such that said quantization value has an inverse relationship to said variance among said plurality of pels when said target error indicates said actual number of bits is greater than said estimated number of bits;
- and
- a quantizer coupled to said rate control process and operable to
- receive said quantization value and said block of said first video frame, and
- quantize said block of said first video frame based upon said quantization value.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.