Tools for Video Coding Beyond HEVC: Flexible Partitioning, Motion Vector Coding, Luma Adaptive Quantization, and Improved Deblocking

This paper provides a description and analysis of technology included in two contributions to the Call for Proposals for Video Compression with Capability beyond HEVC. This Call for Proposals was issued jointly by the Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) and the Video Coding Experts Group (VCEG). The contribution emphasized a flexible and rectangular partitioning structure, which was combined with both new and existing coding tools. New coding tools included methods for improved motion vector coding, quantization signaling, and deblocking; while existing tools were largely methods studied in the Joint Exploration Model software. Results show the efficacy of the approach. Using the sequences and test conditions defined in the Call for Proposals, the described approach provided an average bitrate reduction, relative to an HEVC anchor, of 41.2% and 35.7% for 4K and HD test sequences, respectively. Moreover, the method achieved a compression performance of 34.3% and 32.2% for high dynamic range content using the perceptual quantizer (PQ) and Hybrid-Log Gamma transfer functions, respectively.