Spatial bit allocation with SAQD-domain source models for H.264/SVC

This paper proposes an optimum spatial bit allocation scheme via SAQD-domain based rate and distortion models for H.264/SVC. Inter-layer dependency is avoided by introducing an independent domain. Inspired by ρ-domain source modeling, we first derived rate and distortion models in SAQD-domain with an analytic justification. Then we formulated the optimum allocation problem with the rate and distortion models in SAQD-domain, and computed the optimum allocation for each spatial layer using the Lagrangian function. Finally, by developing a simplified rate control model, a proper quantization step is determined to meet the target rate. The derived rate and distortion models show high goodness-of-fit. The proposed scheme can also be applied to temporal, SNR scalable coding and H.264 based stereo video coding with limited modifications. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed scheme outperforms that in JSVM 9.16 with an average PSNR gain up to 1.39 dB and much smaller rate deviations.