RVLC decoding scheme for improved data recovery in MPEG-4 video coding standard

In this paper, we present a low-complexity 'reversible variable length code' (RVLC) decoding scheme for MPEG-4 video that recovers more blocks and sometimes more macroblocks (MBs) from error propagation region of corrupted video packets, as compared to the MPEG-4 scheme. The remaining blocks and MBs are concealed. Simulation studies have been carried out to show that the proposed scheme achieves better data recovery, both in terms of peak-signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) and perceptual quality. In addition, we present more conditions for error detection than those suggested in MPEG-4, discuss properties of error propagation in corrupted video packets, and provide the RVLC codeword structure. The use of RVLC code structure will enable the decoding in both directions by using only one code table, instead of separate tables used for forward and backward decoding. Since the scheme is purely decoder based, the compliance with the standard is fully maintained. It is very simple for the decoder to keep track of the additional blocks/MBs recovered by the proposed scheme. Therefore, the data recovery scheme suggested in MPEG-4 can still be used as default scheme. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.