Development of GPU-based High-speed Frame Rate Convertor Software for International TV Program Material Exchange

Traditionally, when exchanging TV program materials between countries with different standard frame rates, frame rate conversion (FRC) is performed through a real-time TV standards convertor equipment. Recent years have seen an increasing need to perform FRC by software as handling materials as electronic files, rather than VTR tapes, has become more popular. Then it will be more convenient, especially when handling many materials, if the conversion can be performed in a shorter time than the actual length of the material. To meet this requirement while maintaining picture quality, the authors have developed a prototype GPU software of motion- compensated FRC, the algorithm of which is the one used in the current TV standards convertor equipment, without any simplification. It can convert HDTV material files at 6.8 times faster than real time on AWS g4dn.12xlarge, while maintaining the required picture quality. It is expected to make a significant contribution to improving the work efficiency of broadcasters and other operators.