A new robust information hiding method for video

Abstract

A new method for information hiding in digital video is presented in this paper. The proposed method is based on multi-bit frame-by-frame information hiding technique and does not require a temporal synchronization during blind information extraction. This means, proposed method provides hidden information robustness against both malicious and non-malicious frame dropping (temporal desynchronization). A new approach to randomized distribution of hidden information bits across the video frames was implemented to increase method’s embedding capacity compared to known video watermarking and information hiding techinques, robust again temporal desynchronization. Provided experimental results shows that proposed method provides hidden information robustness against frame cropping, frame loss and lossy compression using MPEG-4 and MJPEG algorithms. The proposed method is also highly robust against known “watermark estimation” attack aimed at estimation of hidden information without knowing the embedding key or non-watermarked video. Proposed information hiding method was also compared with Davey - MacKay “watermark code” redundand coding algorithm, which is also aimed at “frame loss” error correction. As a result, proposed method showed better code rates when used for small (up to 704 bits) message length.