Error resilient video coding using optimal multiple description of DCT coefficients

This paper proposes an algorithm for the robust transmission of video in error prone environment using multiple description (MD) scheme and optimal splitting of DCT coefficients. We use the redundancy rate-distortion (RRD) criteria to split a one-layer compressed video stream into two correlated streams or descriptions. For optimal splitting, recursive structure is exploited and Lagrange optimization and dynamic programming are used. Compared to the existing RRD based methods, the proposed algorithm can find more optimal points on the RRD curve. For compliance with the standards, the proposed MD video coder is implemented based on the H.263. Hence, each description can be decoded independently by the H.263 decoder. Also, several descriptions can be decoded into a single stream by additional simple merge stage and the H.263 decoder. Simulation results show that the proposed MD video coder yields better performance than the conventional MD splitting algorithms based on the RRD criteria at all redundancy rates.