15/30 Mbit/s Universal Digital TV Codec Using a Median Adaptive Predictive Coding Method

This paper describes a 15/30 Mbit/s TV codec with a new approach to high-efficiency coding for TV signals, i.e., median adaptive prediction. The 15/30 Mbit/s codec, commonly applicable to NTSC, PAL, and SECAM (525/60 and 625/50) systems, uses adaptive prediction incorporating a motion-compensated interframe, an interfield, and an intrafield predictor. Its performance for digital transmission is presented. This universal codec is designed, based on CCIR recommendations concerning digital TV coding parameters for studios (Rec. 601) and general principles on long-distance digital TV transmission (Rec. 604). A field trial of 15 Mbit/s digital TV transmission using this codec between earth stations with a 30 m diameter antenna and a 5 m diameter antenna is reported.