Video Coding Experts Group Advances Video Compression

Author

Reads 9.6K

Black Video Camera
Credit: pexels.com, Black Video Camera

The Video Coding Experts Group has made significant advancements in video compression. They have developed new technologies that improve the efficiency of video compression.

One of the key developments is the creation of new coding tools, such as the intra-prediction tool, which allows for more accurate prediction of pixel values. This has led to improved video quality and reduced compression time.

The group's work has also focused on reducing the computational complexity of video compression, making it more suitable for real-time applications. By optimizing the coding tools and algorithms, they have achieved a significant reduction in encoding time.

These advancements are expected to have a major impact on various industries, including entertainment, education, and communication.

A fresh viewpoint: New Relic Group by

Video Coding Experts Group Achievements

The Video Coding Experts Group (VCEG) has made significant contributions to the digital video industry through their development of several important video coding standards. H.261, one of their earliest standards, provided a baseline for video conferencing and video telephony applications.

Credit: youtube.com, ITU, ISO and IEC receive Primetime Emmy Award for excellence in video engineering

This standard employed hybrid block-based coding techniques, including motion compensation and discrete cosine transform (DCT) compression. H.261 was a crucial step in the evolution of video coding standards.

VCEG's subsequent standards, including H.263 and H.264/MPEG-4 AVC, offered improved video compression performance and efficiency. H.264, in particular, is one of the most widely used video coding standards in the world, making it suitable for a wide range of applications.

Here are some of VCEG's notable video coding standards, listed in chronological order:

  • H.261 (1988)
  • H.263 (1996)
  • H.264/MPEG-4 AVC (2003)
  • H.265/MPEG-H Part 2 (2013)

These standards have played a crucial role in enabling video streaming over the internet, video conferencing, broadcasting, and video streaming platforms.

Achievements

VCEG has been at the forefront of video coding standards, shaping the digital video industry with their groundbreaking work. They've developed several influential standards, each building upon the previous one.

One of their earliest achievements was H.261, released in 1988, which provided a foundation for video conferencing and video telephony applications. It employed hybrid block-based coding techniques, including motion compensation and discrete cosine transform (DCT) compression.

Cheerful little Asian boy and girl watching funny video on laptop with happy smiling mother during weekend
Credit: pexels.com, Cheerful little Asian boy and girl watching funny video on laptop with happy smiling mother during weekend

H.263, introduced in 1996, improved upon H.261 with better video compression performance and more efficient bitstream syntax, paving the way for video streaming over the internet. This standard was widely used in early web-based video applications.

H.264/MPEG-4 AVC, released in 2003, significantly improved video compression efficiency, making it suitable for a wide range of applications, including high-definition video, video conferencing, broadcasting, and video streaming platforms. It's one of the most widely used video coding standards in the world.

H.265/MPEG-H Part 2, also known as High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC), was released in 2013 and provides even better video compression efficiency. It enables higher video quality at lower bit rates, making it essential for applications that require high-quality video delivery, such as 4K and 8K streaming and video-on-demand services.

Here are some of the key video coding standards developed by VCEG, listed in chronological order:

  1. H.261 (1988)
  2. H.263 (1996)
  3. H.264/MPEG-4 AVC (2003)
  4. H.265/MPEG-H Part 2 (2013)

VTM 5

The Versatile Video Coding (VVC) Test Model 5, or VTM 5, was established by the JVET at its 14th meeting in Geneva, CH.

Three friends having fun filming a video indoors. A man and a woman use a smartphone while another man performs.
Credit: pexels.com, Three friends having fun filming a video indoors. A man and a woman use a smartphone while another man performs.

This document serves as a source of general tutorial information on the VVC design and also provides an encoder-side description of VTM 5.

The VTM 5 algorithm description and encoding method was established as the VVC working draft 5.

The JVET meeting where VTM 5 was established took place from 19–27 March 2019.

This document is a valuable resource for those looking to learn more about the VVC design and implementation.

It's worth noting that VTM 5 was a significant step forward in the development of VVC, and it has since been used as a basis for further development.

Current Work and Projects

The Video Coding Experts Group (VCEG) is actively working on several exciting projects. VCEG's most recent and significant ongoing work is the development of the next-generation video coding standard known as Versatile Video Coding (VVC) or H.266/MPEG-I Part 3.

VVC aims to provide further improvements in video compression efficiency over HEVC, enabling even higher video quality at lower bit rates. This is a major breakthrough in video coding technology.

VCEG also collaborates with MPEG in the development of other video-related standards, including 3D video coding, scalable video coding, and immersive video technologies.

Efficient Mixed Parallel-Pipelined Intra Prediction Architecture

Credit: youtube.com, Chapter 3 - Spatial Redundancy (Intra Prediction)

The HEVC standard requires specialized hardware accelerators to handle the encoding and processing of high definition videos prior to streaming. This is because a CPU-based encoding is not sufficient to support the HEVC standard due to its higher complexity.

Videos are being consumed, generated, and shared at an enormous rate, putting pressure on existing networks and their operators due to limited network bandwidths. The demand for High Definition (HD) video content is driving the need for more efficient video compression technology.

High-efficiency Video Coding (HEVC) is developed to handle high resolution 4K and 8K videos with 50% better compression efficiency than its predecessor, H.264. This comes at the cost of including complex partitions, more angular predictions in intra prediction, and other improved coding tools that result in a computationally complex algorithm.

FPGAs make it the right choice for processing as they are inherently good at video acceleration due to the flexibility they provide. FPGAs are programmable and reconfigurable, allowing multiple optimizations to accelerate video encoding and making a better option in place of software-based encoders.

Current Work

Credit: youtube.com, 003 Describing Current Work Projects

VCEG is currently working on the development of the next-generation video coding standard, Versatile Video Coding (VVC) or H.266/MPEG-I Part 3, which aims to provide further improvements in video compression efficiency over HEVC.

This standard is expected to enable even higher video quality at lower bit rates, making it a significant advancement in the field of video coding.

VCEG collaborates with MPEG in the development of other video-related standards, including 3D video coding, scalable video coding, and immersive video technologies.

Working drafts of VVC have been released, with Draft 5 being the most recent, and previous drafts including Draft 4 and Draft 3.

These drafts are preliminary documents outlining the new standard, which has the goal of having substantially improved compression capability relative to prior standards such as HEVC.

VCEG also works on other projects, like evaluating the characteristics of test sequences and assessing the performance of different video coding standards, as seen in documents like N16512 and N15791.

These efforts aim to understand the characteristics of 4K/1080p test sequences and the coding performance difference between HM and JEM, among other objectives.

VTM 7

Credit: youtube.com, Project Blue: Update 7

The JVET established VTM 7, a key component of the Versatile Video Coding (VVC) standard, at its 16th meeting in Geneva, CH. This document provides a general tutorial on the VVC design and an encoder-side description of VTM 7.

The VVC Test Model 7 (VTM7) algorithm description and encoding method were established by the JVET. This document serves as a source of general tutorial information on the VVC design.

The VVC has been developed by a joint collaborative team of ITU-T and ISO/IEC experts known as the Joint Video Experts Team (JVET). This team is a partnership of ITU-T Study Group 16 Question 6 (known as VCEG) and ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 29/WG 11 (known as MPEG).

Expand your knowledge: ITU Telecom World

Collaboration and Joint Proposals

VCEG collaborates with MPEG to ensure seamless video and audio technologies in multimedia applications.

The Joint Video Experts Team (JVET) is a collaboration between VCEG and MPEG, formed to study the potential for standardization of video coding technology beyond HEVC.

Credit: youtube.com, Video Coding Standards - from H.261 to MPEG1,2,4,7 - to H.265 MPEG-H

VCEG and MPEG jointly issued a Call for Proposals (CfP) on video coding technology with compression capabilities that exceed those of HEVC.

This CfP was issued in a document titled "N17195, Joint Call for Proposals on Video Compression with Capability beyond HEVC".

The evaluation of submissions for this CfP will be conducted in joint collaboration by VCEG and MPEG.

VCEG and MPEG have also created the Joint Video Exploration Team (JVET) as an informal collaboration to better coordinate their study of video coding technology beyond HEVC.

The JVET issued a Call for Evidence (CfE) jointly with VCEG and MPEG, requesting information on video compression technology with compression performance beyond that of HEVC.

This CfE was issued in a document titled "N16886, Joint Call for Evidence on Video Compression with Capability beyond HEVC".

A different take: Mobile Collaboration

Standards and Specifications

The Video Coding Experts Group has been instrumental in developing and standardizing various video coding standards. One such standard is H.265, also known as HEVC, which was developed collaboratively by the Joint Video Team (JVT) of ISO/IEC MPEG and ITU-T VCEG in 2013.

Credit: youtube.com, High Efficiency Video Coding

H.265 is designed to improve coding efficiency and targets the optimization of coding performance for new video formats, such as 4K x 2K and 8K x 4K resolutions. It has a basic version of 1.0 and version of range extensions.

The standard contains several related standards, including H.271, H.272, H.273, and H.274, which deal with video back channel messages, video gamma compensation, coding-independent code points, and versatile supplemental enhancement information, respectively.

Here are some related standards for reference:

  • H.271: Video back channel messages for conveyance of status information and requests from a video receiver to a video sender
  • H.272: Procedures and values for video gamma compensation in multimedia system
  • H.273: Coding-independent code points (CICP) for video signal type identification, also ISO/IEC 23091-2
  • H.274: Versatile supplemental enhancement information (VSEI) messages for coded video bitstreams, also ISO/IEC 23002-7

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has also been involved in the development of these standards, with working groups focused on videotelephony and video compression.

Research and Development

The Video Coding Experts Group, also known as VCEG, is jointly studying the potential need for standardization of video coding technology with a compression capability that significantly exceeds that of the current HEVC standard.

Researchers are exploring a broad variety of video source content, including different types of video and images, to better understand how to improve video compression.

A unique perspective: Compression Networks

Credit: youtube.com, PROVISION - shaping the future of video coding technologies

The Joint Video Exploration Team, an informal collaboration group of VCEG and MPEG, is conducting Exploration Experiments (EEs) to analyze and verify the performance, complexity, and interaction with existing tools of proposed Future Video Coding technologies.

These experiments are planned to be performed between specific meetings, such as JVET-B and JVET-C, in order to get a better understanding of technologies considered for inclusion to the next version of the Joint Exploration Model (JEM).

Multimedia Content Overview

The JPEG standard is a workgroup under ISO/IEC that focuses on the development of standards for the coding of still pictures.

The JPEG standard includes multiple formats such as JPEG, JPEG2000, JBIG, and JPEG-LS. These formats are used for compressing and storing still images.

The Motion Picture Experts Group (MPEG) is another workgroup under ISO/IEC that develops video coding standards, including MPEG-1, MPEG-2, and MPEG-4. These standards are widely used for video compression.

MPEG-4 is a widely used video coding standard that includes features such as object-based coding and facial recognition. It's commonly used in applications like video conferencing and streaming services.

Credit: youtube.com, What is Multimedia?

The Video Coding Experts Group (VCEG) is a workgroup under ITU-T that develops visual coding standards, including H.261, H.262, and H.263. These standards are used for compressing video data.

H.263 is a video coding standard that was widely used in the past for video conferencing and streaming. It's been largely replaced by newer standards like H.264.

H.264 is a widely used video coding standard that includes features such as intra prediction and context-adaptive binary arithmetic coding. It's commonly used in applications like video streaming and online video platforms.

For another approach, see: Samsung Ativ S

Optimal Weighed Holoentropy for Compression

Optimal Weighed Holoentropy for Compression is an advanced technique that's revolutionizing video compression. It's designed to achieve the greatest compression and less complexity video coding approaches that conserve the quality of the image.

The AVC/H.264 standard is considered the most extensively deployed video coding technique, widely used in Blue-Ray devices and video streaming services like video conferencing and TV broadcasting.

A woman smiles while baking and filming a video in a modern kitchen.
Credit: pexels.com, A woman smiles while baking and filming a video in a modern kitchen.

The main objective of the H.265/HEVC standard is to generate a video compression requirement that's proficient for efficiently compressing the video when compared to other standards concerning complexity in coding and quality of video.

Video transcoding is a process that transforms the video to meet the stipulations of the target platform, and it's not so simple by means of computation, especially in real-time applications.

VTM 3

VTM 3 was established by the JVET at its 12th meeting in Macao, China, in October 2018.

The Versatile Video Coding (VVC) working draft 3 and the VVC Test Model 3 (VTM3) algorithm description and encoding method were set in place.

This document serves as a source of general tutorial information on the VVC design and also provides an encoder-side description of VTM3.

The JVET used this document as a reference for the VVC design and VTM3 encoding method.

The establishment of VTM 3 marked a significant milestone in the development of VVC, paving the way for further research and testing.

Joint Exploration 1 (JEM1) Algorithm

Credit: youtube.com, Interview of Georges Aazan (R&D engineer)

The Joint Exploration 1 (JEM1) Algorithm was developed by the Joint Video Exploration Team (JVET) as part of their study on potential enhanced video coding technology beyond HEVC.

The JEM1 algorithm description is documented in the N15790 document, which outlines the coding features under coordinated test model study by JVET.

JVET is an informal collaboration group of VCEG and MPEG, working together to study the potential for standardization of video coding technology with a compression capability that significantly exceeds that of the HEVC standard.

The JEM1 algorithm is a key component of the Joint Exploration Model (JEM), which is being developed by JVET to explore new video coding technologies.

JVET's scope of activity includes consideration of a variety of video sources and video applications, such as camera-view content, screen content, consumer-generated content, and virtual reality/360º omnidirectional content.

The JEM1 algorithm is being tested and evaluated through a series of Exploration Experiments (EEs), which are designed to analyze and verify the performance, complexity, and interaction with existing JEM tools of proposed Future Video Coding technologies.

These EEs are planned to be performed between JVET meetings, such as between JVET-B and JVET-C meetings, and are intended to get a better understanding of technologies considered for inclusion to the next version of the JEM.

VLSI Implementation of Secure Watermarking

Credit: youtube.com, LDFT Based Watermarking Resilient to Local Desynchronization Attacks

The VLSI implementation of video watermarking is a crucial aspect of secure HEVC coding standard.

A working group, Motion Pictures Experts Group (MPEG), with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), and Video Coding Experts Group (VCEG) with Telecommunication Sector of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU-T), have developed a series of video standards either independently or jointly.

High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC) is designed by the Joint Collaborative Team on Video Coding (JCT-VC).

The HEVC coding method and bit-stream structure for compression of video are described in a document called video coding standards.

A set of tools are defined by video coding standards for doing the compression.

Future Directions and Technologies

As the demand for high-quality video content continues to rise, video coding experts are facing a significant challenge. Video bit rate is expected to increase faster than network infrastructure can handle economically, both for wireless and wired networks.

The main reasons for this include the growing need for higher quality ranges and resolution for both stationary and mobile devices. This is driven by the increasing number of users and the growing consumption of video content by each user.

Future Applications and Technologies

Credit: youtube.com, NETINT Technologies about Conclusion and Future Directions

The future of technology is exciting, and it's already starting to shape up in some amazing ways. Advancements in fields like artificial intelligence and machine learning will enable more efficient and effective decision-making.

We can expect to see more widespread adoption of virtual and augmented reality technologies, which will revolutionize the way we interact with information and each other. Virtual reality, for example, is already being used in training programs to improve employee skills and reduce costs.

5G networks will become the new standard, providing faster and more reliable internet connections that will enable seamless communication and data exchange. This will be a game-changer for industries like healthcare and finance, where speed and security are paramount.

As we move forward, we can expect to see more integration of technology into our daily lives, from smart homes to smart cities. This will require a significant shift in how we think about data collection and usage, but it will also bring many benefits and improvements to our quality of life.

See what others are reading: Designing Virtual Worlds

Jvet for Hdr

Credit: youtube.com, The Direction of HDR Webinar

Jvet for HDR is an essential aspect of future video coding technologies. The JVET (Joint Video Experts Team) is a collaborative effort between the VCEG (Video Coding Experts Group) and the MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) to develop new video coding standards.

N16890 and N16701 are two documents that outline the common test conditions for HDR/WCG (High Dynamic Range/ Wide Color Gamut) video coding experiments. These documents are crucial for ensuring consistency and comparability across different technical contributions.

The common test conditions defined in N16890 are recommended for use in technical contributions to the 7th and following JVET meetings, as applicable. This means that researchers and developers can rely on these conditions to ensure their experiments and contributions are consistent and comparable.

N16701, on the other hand, defines common test conditions for HDR/WCG video coding experiments after the 5th JVET meeting. These conditions are recommended for use in technical contributions to the 6th and following JVET meetings, as applicable.

360 Degree Formats and HDR

Credit: youtube.com, HDR video coding with MPEG 5 LCEVC | NAB Show 2022

The Joint Video Exploration Team (JVET) is studying the potential need to include 360-degree video coding technologies in the future video coding standard.

360Lib is a software package established by the JVET that can perform projection format conversion between various projection formats, including viewport generation using rectilinear projection. This allows for more flexibility in 360-degree video coding.

The JVET is also exploring the potential need for standardization of future video coding technology with a compression capability that significantly exceeds that of the current HEVC standard.

Take a look at this: Terminator Genisys: Future War

Working 3

Working 3 of Versatile Video Coding is a document that outlines the development of a new standard for video coding, known as Versatile Video Coding.

The new standard aims to provide further improvements in video compression efficiency over HEVC, enabling even higher video quality at lower bit rates.

This standard is being developed by VCEG in collaboration with MPEG, and it's part of their ongoing work to improve video coding standards.

The Versatile Video Coding standard is expected to have substantially improved compression capability relative to prior standards such as High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC).

Algorithm Descriptions in 360Lib

Credit: youtube.com, Versatile Video Coding - Algorithms and Specification

The JVET has established a 360Lib software package that can perform projection format conversion between various projection formats.

This package can be used as a standalone conversion tool, or in combination with encoding and decoding using HM or JEM reference software.

The 360Lib software supports viewport generation using rectilinear projection among other projection formats.

The JVET is studying the potential need to include 360-degree video coding technologies in the future video coding standard.

The 360Lib software is a part of the joint collaboration effort between ITU-T VCEG and ISO/IEC MPEG to evaluate compression technology designs.

The JVET has established a 360Lib software package to perform projection format conversion between various projection formats.

This package is designed to evaluate compression technology designs proposed by experts in the area of 360-degree video coding.

The 360Lib software can be used in combination with encoding and decoding using HM or JEM reference software.

The JVET is working together with ITU-T VCEG and ISO/IEC MPEG to study the potential need for standardization of future video coding technology.

The 360Lib software supports viewport generation using rectilinear projection, which is one of the projection formats it supports.

A fresh viewpoint: ITU Radio Regulations

N16891 360 Degree

Credit: youtube.com, 360 HDR Pictures ▶️ How To Enhance 360 Interiors Pictures Automatically

N16891 defines common test conditions and evaluation procedures for 360° video coding, which is essential for comparing different formats and technologies.

These test conditions are recommended for use in technical contributions to the 7th JVET meeting and beyond.

The Joint Video Exploration Team (JVET) is studying the potential need to include 360-degree video coding technologies in the future video coding standard.

The JVET has established a 360Lib software package that can perform projection format conversion between various projection formats, including rectilinear projection.

This document is a key reference for developers and researchers working on 360° video coding and compression.

The JVET is also exploring the potential for standardization of video coding technology with a compression capability that significantly exceeds that of the HEVC standard.

Common test conditions for HDR/WCG video coding are defined in N16890, which provides a framework for evaluating different technologies and formats.

The JVET is working to create a new standard for video coding that can efficiently compress and transmit high-quality video content, including 360° and HDR formats.

The use of 360Lib and other tools will be crucial in developing and testing new 360° video coding technologies.

The JVET is committed to creating a new standard that meets the needs of a wide range of applications and use cases, including virtual reality, video conferencing, and broadcasting.

Lamar Smitham

Writer

Lamar Smitham is a seasoned writer with a passion for crafting informative and engaging content. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for simplifying complex topics, Lamar has established himself as a trusted voice in the industry. Lamar's areas of expertise include Microsoft Licensing, where he has written in-depth articles that provide valuable insights for businesses and individuals alike.

Love What You Read? Stay Updated!

Join our community for insights, tips, and more.