Processing MPEG-2 compressed material
MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group), constitute a set of standards that are most often employed for coding audio-visual information in a digitally compressed format. Thereby, extremely robust compression methods are used that allow significantly smaller size files with the same quality in comparison to other coding formats. Among the various versions, the MPEG-2 format has already gained the wider acceptance of consumers and professional users of video material. Focusing on developing new ways of easy and timely manipulation of video content, this EC-funded project has also introduced the so-called Compressed Editing Toolkit (CET). While most conventionally used approaches offer decode-edit-encode capabilities, the innovative CET offers manipulation of images to be directly applied to the compressed data. In this way, processing MPEG-2 in the compressed domain may be significantly improved as far as performance and quality are concerned. More specifically, the smart rendering features of CET are limited to simple copy operations, thus preventing excessive encoding and decoding that may lead to loss of video quality. Additionally, this may also reduce processor intensive recording, which is a time-consuming and effort-requiring task. In particular, the integrated scene cut detection algorithms have been designed to offer preservation of video quality and fast execution. General MPEG-2 support functions such as key frame grabbing, optimised scaling, seeking and playback have been also included. This special library may be used either as stand-alone software with simple and flexible integration and usage or an incorporated part of other project's results (VIZARD-Installer). The provider is looking for various sorts of collaborations with commercial and scientific organisations. Moreover, partners are sought who may act as sales points for marketing and distribution of the CET as standalone software kit or as an innovative part of advanced video publishing Tools in the worldwide market.
