Implementation and performance of an HDTV codec based on the DCT

The information provided by M. Barbero et al. (Proc. ISCAS '90, pp 1887-90') on the codecs developed in the framework of the European Project Eureka EU 256 is updated. The system for video compression is based on the hybrid DCT (discrete cosine transform) and the entropy encoding of coefficients. Most characteristics of the coding system coincide with those of the codecs for transmission of 4:2:2 signals, with contribution quality being standardized by ETSI and CMTT. Both conventional-definition TV and high-definition TV (HDTV) codecs have been developed and demonstrated; field trials using HDTV signals were performed. New versions of the codec adopting motion evaluation and compensation, are available. An evaluation of the present system is given, and future perspectives on bit-rate reduction systems are analyzed.<
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