Introducing differential motion estimation into hybrid video coders

Differential motion estimation produces dense motion vector fields which are far too demanding in terms of coding rate in order to be used in video coding. However, a pel-recursive technique like that introduced by Cafforio and Rocca can be modified in order to work using only the information available at the decoder side. This allows to improve the motion vectors produced in the classical predictive modes of H.264. In this paper we describe the modification needed in order to introduce a differential motion estimation method into the H.264 codec. Experimental results will validate a coding mode, opening new perspectives in using differential-based motion estimation techniques into classical hybrid codecs. © 2010 SPIE.