Gustavo Sanchez - Algorithms for Efficient and Fast 3D-HEVC Depth Map Encoding

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The rapid evolution of multimedia communications relying on services and applications that mostly use image and video in different formats has been driving worldwide research and engineering developments towards efficient coding of visual information. Three-dimensional (3D) visual information represented by color texture plus depth is one of such formats, which imposes quite demanding requirements on both hardware and software implementations of standard coding algorithms. Computational complexity, memory, bandwidth, and power consumption are constraining parameters with a great deal of impact on the performance of 3D video coding systems.

This book addresses this challenging field of research and engineering by presenting fast and efficient methods for encoding depth data of 3D visual information within the scope of the 3D extension of the high efficiency video coding (3D-HEVC). The book contains accurate technical descriptions of the main coding tools used for efficient compression of depth maps with particular emphasis on the prediction modes that are responsible for attaining significant compression performance. Jointly with the presentation of the test conditions that must be followed for benchmarking and validation of results, this is crucial and updated information about the standard that provides the necessary background for further analysis and technical developments. Several fast encoding algorithms are described throughout the book, departing from a deep analysis of the main contributing factors for the computational complexity and then proposing efficient solutions to speed up the coding process of depth information at negligible loss of efficiency.

The authors of the book have long research experience and significant contributions for the optimization of standard video coding systems. This highly specialized background also ensures that new methods described in the book are timely and useful for students and researchers interested in further investigating fast coding methods for 3D-HEVC algorithms and engineers developing efficient systems and applications, specially those including 3D multimedia in resource-constrained environments. Overall, this book presents valuable contributions to advance the technical design and implementation of fast and efficient 3D-HEVC standard encoders.

The authors thank their institutions in Brazil for supporting the development of this work, including the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), the Federal University of Pelotas (UFPel), and the Federal Institute of Education, Science, and Technology Farroupilha (IFFar), Alegrete Campus. The authors also thank the Brazilian research support agencies that financed this research: the Foundation for Research Support of Rio Grande do Sul (FAPERGS), the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq), and the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES).