Modified sample adaptive offset filtering as an inter-layer processing for scalable HEVC

This paper presents an inter-layer filtering technique to improve the coding efficiency of the emerging SHVC scalable video coding standard. This filtering method is based on the Sample Adaptive Offset (SAO) tool introduced in the HEVC video coding standard. The original SAO filtering technique is slightly modified and applied to filter the HEVC base layer so as to improve the prediction of the enhancement layer. Based on the testing conditions of the SHVC standardization process, the results of this SAO inter-layer processing compared to the SHVC reference software show a noticeable improvement of the coding efficiency for the enhancement layer.