Hierarchical wavelet video coding using warping prediction

A hierarchical spatially scalable wavelet video coder is presented. The lowpass band of the wavelet decomposition is the base layer in the scalable scheme. It is encoded using forward motion compensation. Here, warping prediction is employed. Since warping prediction produces a smooth prediction error it is well suited for wavelet decomposition. The coder employs backward motion compensation in the enhancement layers, therefore no enhancement layer motion vectors have to be transmitted. The coarser levels of the wavelet decomposition of the current frame are used for motion estimation and motion compensation of the lowpass band of the next finer level. Experimental results show that the application of warping prediction is suited to improve the coding gain of the presented scheme significantly