High-performance depth map coding for 3D-AVC. Issue 6 (September 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kang, Jinmi; Chung, Kidong
• Is Part Of: Signal, image and video processing. Volume 10:Issue 6(2016)
• Page Start: 1017
• Page End: 1024
• Publication Date: 2016-09
• Subjects: Depth map coding -- Fast mode decision -- Quality enhancement -- 3D video system; Signal processing -- Digital techniques -- Periodicals; Image processing -- Digital techniques -- Periodicals; Digital video -- Periodicals; 621.3822
• DOI: 10.1007/s11760-015-0853-6
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1863-1703

Abstract

Abstract Achieving high-performance coding for a depth map is one of the most important challenges in 3D video coding. In this paper, a quality enhancement method is proposed to accomplish better coding efficiency. A new technique separating contour and flat regions is designed, and a contour-aware quality enhancement algorithm is presented to improve depth map quality. We also propose a fast mode decision process to reduce computational complexity. The proposed fast algorithm uses similarity between texture video and depth map coding. The encoding process for a depth map is terminated early by using coded information from a texture video. Experimental results show that the quality of the depth map is improved by 0.11–0.59 dB, which translates into a bit rate saving of 2.19–8.19 %. The proposed fast algorithm saves encoding time, on average, by 36.4 %.