Robert Gordon University: Perceptually Optimised Video Compression

23 Feb 2010 | News
ICT

Licensing opportunity

Scientists at Robert Gordon University in Scotland have developed a new system for video compression that works by “prioritizing” certain components of a video scene, in particular human faces and foreground objects. These components are sent with higher quality, resulting in improved overall quality.

This could be of particular benefit for face-to-face applications, including the specialist application of sign language communication for deaf users.

A prototype software system has been developed to demonstrate the Perceptually Optimised Video Compression concept. This performs the following functions:

  • Captures video from a camera (for example, a webcam)

  • Identifies the location of human faces in the video scene (face detection)

  • Tracks the dominant human face in the scene (face tracking)

  • Pre-filters (prioritises) the scene in order to emphasise the face and de-emphasise other regions (pre-filtering). The researchers have implemented two alternative pre-filters, including a novel variable bilateral filter.

  • Compressed (encodes) the video stream using RGU’s H.264 video encoder.

  • Transports the compressed video stream via the Internet

  • Decompresses (decodes) the video stream.

  • Displays the output on the PC screen.

The key benefits of this system are the reduced bandwidth requirements and an increase in video quality.

It can be used in IP-TV / IP video, PC based Video Conferencing, mobile video calling, video messaging and close circuit television systems.

For more information, view the project’s page at: http://www.university-technology.com/details/perceptually-optimised-video-compression

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