Joint bit-allocation for MPEG encoding of multiple video sequences with minimum quality-variation

This paper addresses the problem of multi-program video transmission over a single communication channel. We present a joint bit-allocation for MPEG encoding of multiple video sequences with a minimum quality-variation. The proposed method uses a picture-complexity measure based on the actual coding distortion in encoded frames, then allocates accordingly the available bits to explicitly reduce the variation in quality between the sequences. We compare the performance of the proposed method to independent encoding of the sequences at constant bit rates and to encoding with a joint bit-allocation scheme that uses a TM5-like picture-complexity measure. Results show that the proposed bit-allocation method is superior in terms of minimizing the quality variation between the video sequences and within the individual sequences. The method also provides better minimum picture quality than the other encoding schemes mentioned above. Applications of the joint bit-allocation method include multi-program transmission such as video on demand (VOD) services and digital TV broadcasting