Video display device, video encoder, noise level estimation module and methods for use therewith

A video display device comprising:

• a receiving module for receiving a video signal;
• a signal processor, operably coupled to the receiving module, the signal processor including:
• a pixel block selection module for selecting a plurality of selected pixel blocks over a set of K fields of the video signal, each of the plurality of selected pixel blocks containing a plurality of pixels having corresponding pixel values, the pixel block selection module having a difference calculation module for calculating a block difference for each of the plurality of selected pixel blocks based on a pixel difference between the pixel value for each of the plurality of pixels and a pixel value for a corresponding pixel in an adjacent field;
• a signal generator, operably coupled to the difference calculation module for generating a noise level estimation signal based on a subset M block differences for the plurality of pixel blocks, wherein M is greater than one;
• and
• a signal processing module, operably coupled to the signal generator, for generating a processed video signal based on the noise level estimation signal;
• a video display module, operably coupled to the signal processor, for producing a video display based on the processed video signal.

A video encoder comprising:

• a receiving module for receiving a video signal;
• a signal processor, operably coupled to the receiving module, the signal processor including:
• a pixel block selection module for selecting a plurality of selected pixel blocks over a set of K fields of the video signal, each of the plurality of selected pixel blocks containing a plurality of pixels having corresponding pixel values, the pixel block selection module having a difference calculation module for calculating a block difference for each of the plurality of selected pixel blocks based on a pixel difference between the pixel value for each of the plurality of pixels and a pixel value for a corresponding pixel in an adjacent field;
• a signal generator, operably coupled to the difference calculation module for generating a noise level estimation signal based on a subset of M block differences for the plurality of pixel blocks, wherein M is greater than one;
• and
• a signal processing module, operably coupled to the signal generator, for generating a processed video signal based on the noise level estimation signal;
• a video encoding module, operably coupled to the signal processor, for producing a encoded video signal based on the processed video signal.