Source modeling of MPEG video

A new source model of variable bit rate (VBR) video conforming to the MPEG (Moving Picture Expert Group) standard is presented. An extensive statistical analysis of a 2-hour long MPEG empirical trace is performed, including both classical descriptive statistics and a somewhat newer method related to self-similarity phenomena. The observed statistical properties of the analyzed trace are explained by considering the MPEG coding mechanisms and physical nature of video data. The proposed model is based on the statistical decomposition procedure. Each of the components are modeled by an ARIMA process. The effect of scene changes, causing a large frame spikes, is also incorporated into the model.