Pre-processing for video compression

In a digital video compression system, proper pre-processing is very important in terms of improving the picture quality and making the compression more efficient. In this paper, different pre-processing technologies are discussed, including composite video decoding, rate conversion, TBC and frame synchronization, noise reduction and film detection. The DFD-U, an decoder specially designed as the preprocessor for the compression system, is presented. It provides a bridge between the existing analog composite world and the digital compression world.