On Alpha-Expansion-Based Graph-Cut Optimization for Decoder-Side Depth Estimation

Abstract

In order to achieve high realism an acceptable level of user experience in immersive videos, it is crucial to provide both the best possible quality of depth maps and minimize computational time. In this paper, we propose a new approach to the decoder-side depth estimation (DSDE) problem, which uses the hierarchical alpha-expansion algorithm with additional improvements for the estimation designed to be more robust to compressed video artifacts and limited computational resources. As shown by the experimental results, the proposal simultaneously results in reduction of computation time of the estimation process (by almost 40%) and an improvement of quality of estimated depth maps. The increased quality is demonstrated by more than 6% Bjøntegaard delta gain compared to the Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) immersive video state-of-the-art DSDE method.