Hierarchical sub-band coding of super high definition image with adaptive block-size multistage VQ

Abstract

A hierarchical image coding algorithm based on sub-band coding and adaptive block-size multistage vector quantization (VQ) is proposed, and its coding performance is examined for super high definition (SHD) image. First, the concept on SHD image is briefly described. Next, the signal power spectrum is evaluated, and the sub-band analysis pattern is determined from its characteristics. Several quadrature mirror filters are examined from the viewpoints of reconstruction accuracy, coding gain, and low-pass signal quality. Then an optimum filter is selected for the sub-band analysis. The two-stage VQ using the adaptive bit allocation is also introduced to control quantization accuracy and to achieve high-quality image reproduction. Coding performance and hierarchical image reconstruction are demonstrated using SNR and some photographs.