Hierarchical B Picture versus Open Loop Motion Compensated Temporal Filtering

In the extended scheme of H.264/AVC standard SVC (Scalable Video Coding), the temporal scalability is performed by open-loop Motion Compensation Temporal Filtering (MCTF). Similarly, close-loop Motion Compensation Temporal Filtering, i.e. Hierarchical B Picture can be performed on the H.264/AVC codec as well because the H.264/AVC codec makes the reconstructed B picture as reference picture. This paper compares Hierarchical B Picture and MCTF comprehensively by the aspects of coding performance, decoding delay, computational complexity, SNR scalable and compatibility of H.264/AVC. Simulated results show that the hierarchical B picture scheme is less complexity and higher coding performance than the open-loop MCTF. Meanwhile, Hierarchical B Picture is better suited for performing motion compensation temporal filtering on H.264/AVC codec because the perfect compatibility.