Yi-Wen Chen

Fast encoder decision for texture coding in 3D-HEVC

As a 3D extension of the High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC) standard, 3D-HEVC is developed to improve the coding efficiency of multi-view video. However, the improvement of the coding efficiency is obtained at the expense of a computational complexity increase. How to relieve the computational burden of the encoder is becoming a critical problem in applications. In this paper, a fast encoder decision algorithm to encode the dependent texture views is proposed, where two strategies to accelerate encoder decision by exploiting inter-view correlations are utilized. The first one is an early merge mode decision algorithm, and the second one is an early CU splitting termination algorithm. Experimental results show that the proposed algorithm can achieve 47.1% encoding time saving with overall 0.1% BD-rate reduction compared to HTM (3D-HEVC test model) version 7 under the common test condition (CTC). Both of the two strategies have been adopted into the 3D-HEVC reference software and enabled as a default encoding process under CTC. HighlightsA fast encoder decision algorithm to encode the dependent texture views in 3D-HEVC.Early merge mode decision to avoid unnecessary examinations of inter and intra modes.Early CU splitting termination to avoid unnecessary checks for larger depths.Achieve 47.1% coding time saving with overall 0.1% BD-rate gain compared to HTM-7.0.

Improved disparity vector derivation in 3D-HEVC

In the High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC) based 3D video coding, 3D-HEVC, the disparity vector (DV) derivation is critical for inter-view motion prediction, inter-view residual prediction, disparity-compensated prediction (DCP) or any other tools exploiting inter-view correlation. In HTM-5.0.1, the DV is derived from some spatial and temporal neighbors to locate a corresponding block in another view. This paper advocates modifications of the DV derivation to reduce the complexity and to achieve slightly better coding efficiency. Firstly, we propose to remove the additional temporal block, unify the DV searching order for all views, and to impose restrictions on the temporal blocks for memory access bandwidth and complexity reduction in DV derivation. We also propose an improved DV searching order for slightly better coding performance. These proposed methods were adopted into the 3D-HEVC standard in the 3rd JCT-3V meeting in Jan. 2013.