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Summary of BitVice MPEG2 Encoder Features

Scene change detection
True Variable Bit Rate (1 pass and 2 pass)
Adaptive GOP structure
IBP GOP sequences
Special still picture encoding
Adaptive Quantization and Bit Rate Control
Interleaved rate control
Extensive block matching
DV input color and gamma correction
Good control of the generated file size



Feature Details

Scene Change Detection and True Variable Bit Rate

The BitVice Encoder uses a two pass compressing scheme to detect certain patterns of the temporal changes in the input material.

In the first pre-flight pass, statistics concerning coding complexity are gathered. Then this data is processed and fed into the second pass, which performs the Variable Bit Rate Encoding. This means that the available bits are appropriately distributed over the different video segments such that constant visual quality is obtained.

This could be done in one pass, but the effect would be suboptimal and not even near the quality necessary for demanding DVD productions. That’s why the BitVice concept uses a two pass compressing scheme.

Adaptive GOP Structure

The structure of each GOP is adjusted according to different measures and statistics from the pre-flight pass. The BitVice does not encode an I-frame or even P-frames where not needed. This is one of the tactics, used in the BitVice concept, to minimize misplacement of valuable bits.

Adaptive Quantization and Bit Rate Control

Different bit allocation schemes are used for each kind of scene complexity level. Many of these schemes are unique to the BitVice.

A substantial part of the research work at Innobits has been devoted to resolve the many suboptimal issues inherent in the standard, and common practice of, bit rate controlling algorithms. This is one of the most important strategies used, and incorporated in the BitVice concept, to optimize the allocation of valuable bits.

Special Still Picture Encoding

One of the most demanding tasks for an MPEG2 encoder is to compress still pictures. Why? Because the picture is – still. MPEG2 was designed for motion pictures, not stills. Many DVD productions of today may have several still picture segments in their “motion picture” sequences, enough to kill any ordinary MPEG2 Bit Rate Control.


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