Abstract

This project investigates SNR and temporal scalability in video coding. The H.263 video standard is used as a basis. A video codec is implemented which is capable of producing a scalable bitstream that conforms to the standard. Rate control algorithms are developed for combined SNR and temporal scalability. A new methodology is proposed for SNR scalability using optimal progressive transmission of the Displaced Frame Difference (DFD) in the frequency domain.  Furthermore, the application of scalability in video transmission over error-prone channels is investigated. Unequal Error Protection (UEP) is utilized and a basic video quality is guaranteed by protecting the base scalable layer better than the enhancement layer(s).  Rate-Compatible Punctured Convolutional Codes (RCPC) are used to provide the unequal error protection. Joint source-channel coding is proposed to provide an efficient allocation of the available bits.

Students

• Lisimachos Kondi

• Faisal Ishtiaq

Publications

1. M.A. Robers, L.P. Kondi and A.K. Katsaggelos, "SNR Scalable Video Coder Using Progressive Transmission of DCT Coefficients," Proceedings of the SPIE Conference on Visual Communications and Image Processing, pp.201-212, SPIE Vol. 3309, San Jose, CA, Janu. 28-30, 1998.

2. L.P. Kondi, F. Ishtiaq and A.K. Katsaggelos, "On Video SNR Scalability," Proceedings of the IEEE International Conference on Image Processing, vol.3, pp.934-936, Chicago, IL, Oct. 5-7, 1998.

3. L.P. Kondi and A.K. Katsaggelos, "An Optimal Single Pass SNR Scalable Video Coder," Proceedings of the IEEE International Conference on Image Processing, Kobe, Japan, Oct. 24-28, 1999.

4. L.P. Kondi, F. Ishtaq and A.K. Katsaggelos, "Joint Source-Channel Coding for Scalable Video," Proceedings of the SPIE Conference on Visual Communications and Image Processing, SPIE vol.3974, pp.324-335, San Jose, CA, Jan. 23-28, 2000.

Theses

1. F. Ishtaiq, "H.263 Scalable Video Coding and Transmission at Very Low Bitrates," Ph.D. Thesis, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Northwestern University, June 1999.

2. L.P. Kondi, "Low Bit-Rate SNR Scalable Video Coding and Transmission," Ph.D. Thesis, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Northwestern University, June 1999.

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