MPEG issues Call for Evidence on High-Performance Video Coding

Technology evolution will soon make possible the capture and display of video material with a quantum leap in quality when compared to the quality of HDTV. However, networks are already finding it difficult to carry HDTV content to end users at data rates that are economical. Therefore, a further increase of data rates, such as soon will be possible, will put additional pressure on the networks. For example:

• High-definition (HD) displays and cameras are affordable for consumer usage today, while the currently available internet and broadcast network capacity is not sufficient to transfer large amount of HD content economically. While this situation may change slowly over time, the next generation of ultra-HD (UHD) contents and devices, such as 4Kx2K displays for home cinema applications and digital cameras, are already appearing on the horizon.
• For mobile terminals, lightweight HD resolutions such as 720p or beyond will be introduced to provide perceptual quality similar to that of home applications. Lack of sufficient data rates as well as the prices to be paid for transmission will remain a problem for the long term.

MPEG has concluded that video bitrate (when current compression technology is used) will go up faster than the network infrastructure will be able to carry economically, both for wireless and wired networks. Therefore a new generation of video compression technology with sufficiently higher compression capability than the existing AVC standard in its best configuration (the High Profile), is needed. Such High-Performance Video Coding (HVC) would be intended mainly for high quality applications, by providing performance improvements in terms of coding efficiency at higher resolutions, with applicability for entertainment-quality services such as HD mobile, home cinema and Ultra High Definition (UHD) TV.

To start a more rigorous assessment about the feasibility of HVC, a Call for Evidence has been issued, with the expectation that responses would report about the existence of technologies that would be able to fulfill the aforementioned goals. A set of appropriate test materials and rate points that would match the requirements of HVC application scenarios has been defined. Responses to this call will be evaluated at the 89th MPEG meeting in July 2009. Depending on the outcome of this Call for Evidence, MPEG may issue a Draft Call for Proposals by the end of its 89th meeting.

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