Video coding distortion classification and quantitative impairment metrics

Various video compression and coding standards have adopted the hybrid algorithm which deploys motion compensation, temporal differential pulse code modulation and the block discrete cosine transform (MC/DPCM/DCT) with associated adaptive quantization and entropy coding algorithms. Video sequences coded by either hardware or software compliant with these standards manifest various reconstruction artifacts. This presents a comprehensive classification of the reconstruction artifacts or distortions of digitally coded video images and provides a survey of quantitative quality/impairment metrics based on human visual sensitivity as well as an analysis of the validity of various metrics proposed so far.