3D video coding using advanced prediction, depth modeling, and encoder control methods

The presented approach for 3D video coding uses the multiview video plus depth format, in which a small number of video views as well as associated depth maps are coded. Based on the coded signals, additional views required for displaying the 3D video on an autostereoscopic display can be generated by depth image based rendering techniques. The developed coding scheme represents an extension of HEVC, similar to the MVC extension of H.264/AVC. However, in addition to the well-known disparity-compensated prediction advanced techniques for inter-view and inter-component prediction, the representation of depth blocks, and the encoder control for depth signals have been integrated. In comparison to simulcasting the different signals using HEVC, the proposed approach provides about 40% and 50% bit rate savings for the tested configurations with 2 and 3 views, respectively. Bit rate reductions of about 20% have been obtained in comparison to a straightforward multiview extension of HEVC without the newly developed coding tools.