High quality HDR video compression using HEVC main 10 profile

This paper describes high-quality compression of high dynamic range (HDR) video using existing tools such as the HEVC Main 10 profile, the SMPTE ST 2084 (PQ) transfer function, and the BT.2020 non-constant luminance Y'CbCr color representation. First, we present novel mathematical bounds that reduce complexity of luminance-preserving subsampling (luma adjustment). A nested look-up table allows for further speedup. Second, an adaptive QP scheme is presented that obtains a better bit allocation balance between dark and bright areas of the picture. Third, a method to control the bit allocation balance between chroma and luma by adjusting the chroma QP offset is presented. The result is a considerable increase in perceptual quality compared to the anchors used in the 2015 MPEG High Dynamic Range/Wide Color Gamut Call for Evidence. All techniques are encoder-side-only, making them compatible with a regular decoder capable of supporting HEVC Main10/PQ/BT.2020, which is already available in some TV sets on the market.