Bit allocation and constraints for joint coding of multiple video programs

Studies have shown that joint coding is more efficient and effective than independent coding for compression of multiple video programs. Unlike independent coding, joint coding is able to dynamically distribute the channel capacity among video programs according to their respective complexities and hence achieve a more uniform picture quality. This paper examines the bit-allocation issues for joint coding of multiple video programs and provides a bit-allocation strategy that results in a uniform picture quality among programs as well as within a program. To prevent the encoder/decoder buffers from overflowing and underflowing, further constraints on bit allocation are also discussed.