Isolated regions in video coding

Different types of prediction are applied in modern video coding. While predictive coding improves compression efficiency, the propagation of transmission errors becomes more likely. In addition, predictive coding brings difficulties to other aspects of video coding, including random access, parallel processing, and scalability. In order to combat the negative effects, video coding schemes introduce mechanisms such as slices and intracoding, to limit and break the prediction. This paper proposes the use of the isolated regions coding tool that jointly limits in-picture prediction and interprediction on a region-of-interest basis. The tool can be used to provide random access points from non-intrapictures and to respond to intrapicture update requests. Furthermore, it can be applied as an error-robust macroblock mode decision method and can be used in combination with unequal error protection. Finally, it enables mixing of scenes, which is useful in coding of masked scene transitions.