Bit-depth scalable coding based on macroblock level inter-layer prediction

In this paper, we propose an H.264/AVC compliant bit- depth scalable coding solution. Our codec is capable of presenting an 8-bit A VC main profile or high profile base layer coded bit- stream multiplexed with a high bit enhancement layer coded bit- stream generated by macroblock level inter-layer prediction. The proposed bit-depth scalable coding solution is based on the structure of spatial/coarse-grain SNR scalability of the current scalable extension to H.264/A VC (SVC). New decoding processes for inter-layer bit-depth prediction are introduced. Compatibility to other types of scalability in current SVC standard is supported by our solution. We implemented the proposed solution based on the up-to-date SVC reference software. Experimental results were reported for the test sequences that are used for JVT bit-depth scalability core experiment.