Fast, dynamic configuration of transforms for video coding

This paper examines the computational and rate-distortion performance of a reconfigurable video codec. Dynamic configuration of a video codec has the potential for increased flexibility and rate distortion performance, through enabling adaptation of the coding algorithm to suit sequence statistics or operating conditions. This adaptability may be achieved by sending configuration information to the decoder during a communications session as part of the compressed video signal. This paper presents an example of dynamic re-configurability by sending descriptions of new transforms during coding. A decoder is reconfigured on-the- fly in order to incorporate a new transform, previously unknown to the decoder. We show that a reconfigurable video decoder may be implemented without significant computational penalties and we demonstrate the rate-distortion benefits of dynamic re-configuration.