Chessboard-interpolation-based multiple description video coding

Abstract

To enhance the robustness of video transmission over noisy channels, this paper presents a multiple description video coding algorithm based on chessboard-interpolation. In the algorithm, the input image is decomposed according to the chessboard pattern, and then interpolated to produce two approximate images with the same resolution. Consequently, the state-of-the-art DCT+MC (Discrete Cosine Transform + Motion Compensation) video codec is independently applied to the two approximate images to generate two descriptions of the original image. In this framework, a fairely good reconstructed image quality is obtained when two descriptions are received simultaneously, while an acceptable reconstructed image quality could be yielded if only one description is available. Moreover, the mismatch between the encoder and the decoder could be effectively controlled through partial coding of the difference signal between two descriptions. In bidirectional video communications, a drift control scheme is further proposed, in which the error drift could be eliminated after the encoder imitating the error concealment actions of the decoder. Since the inherent correlation among adjacent blocks of DCT+MC video coding is efficiently exploited, this algorithm has a better redundancy-rate-distortion (RRD) performance than other multiple description algorithms. Simulation results show that the proposed algorithm is fairly robust while preserves a high compression rate. A more constant reconstructed image quality is achieved over extremely noisy channels, compared with traditional single description coding. In addition, it is observed that the mismatch and the error drift are effectively controlled.