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MPEG-2 Video Decoders Comparison

MSU Graphics & Media Lab (Video Group)

Project head: Dr. Dmitriy Vatolin, Dr. Maxim Smirnov
Testing, charts, analysis: Dmitriy Kulikov
Translating: Dr. Maxim Smirnov
Verification: Alexander Parshin

MPEG-2 Video Codecs Comparison Objectives

The main task was to comparatively evaluate quality of MPEG-2 decoders while decoding distorted streams. This question is topical for satellite broadcasting and, in a lesser degree, for DVD video playback.

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Test rules

Scheme of conducting decoders testing
Scheme of conducting decoders testing
  • A sequence was encoded in MPEG-2 Elementary Stream with constant 3 Mb/s bitrate.
  • The obtained stream was transformed to the MPEG-2 Transport Stream.
  • The data were randomly distorted using a specially written utility. The probability of introducing bit error was regulated. The first header of the stream was kept intact in all cases.
  • The distorted data were decoded using different decoders and the obtained sequences were compared with the undistorted decoded sequences using objective metrics.
  • The process of introducing errors, decoding and metrics calculation was repeated 100 times to achieve more adequate results. This was reasoned by the fact that opportunity of effective error correction or error effects mitigation depends in many respects on the error position in a stream.
  • If some decoder failed to decode a frame, the gray frame was inserted in the output stream. For the sake of per-frame comparison the Y-PSNR value for such frames was set to 0.
  • The metrics values were averaged.

    • Tested decoders

  • bitcontrol MPEG-2 Video Decoder
  • DScaler MPEG2 Video Decoder
  • Elecard MPEG-2 Video Decoder
  • ffdshow MPEG-4 Video Decoder (libavcodec)
  • InterVideo Video Decoder
  • Ligos MPEG Video Decoder
  • MainConcept MPEG Video Decoder
  • Pinnacle MPEG-2 Decoder

    • Comparison content

  • This comparison was performed on the sequences "Foreman" and "Battle".
  • The large amount of data was obtained, the part of them was visualized and shown in this report.
  • As an addition a 7limited encoders test was performed. Its results are also presented in this report.
  • It was discovered that the visual quality of decoded corrupted streams when using different decoders is quite different.

    • Example of result graph
    Example of result graph

    Download

  • MSU MPEG-2 Video Decoders Comparison - PDF (2.64 Mb)
  • MSU MPEG-2 Video Decoders Comparison - ZIP (2.5 Mb)

    • If you are interested in your codecs' testing or tuning, please write to us at

    Contact Information

    Call for codecs 2013
    See all MSU Video Codec Comparisons

    MSU video codecs comparisons resources:

    Other materials

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    Call for MPEG4-AVC/H.264, HEVC codecs 2013!
    First Report on S3D quality assessment (5 films) is released!
    Appendix to Eighth MSU Í.264 codec comparison is released

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    Public MSU video filters
    Here are available VirtualDub and AviSynth filters. For a given type of digital video filtration we typically develop a family of different algorithms and implementations. Generally there are also versions optimized for PC and hardware implementations (ASIC/FPGA/DSP). These optimized versions can be licensed to companies. Please contact us for details via video(at)graphics.cs.msu_ru.     		Filters for companies
    We are working with Intel, Samsung, RealNetworks and other companies on adapting our filters other video processing algorithms for specific video streams, applications and hardware like TV-sets, graphics cards, etc. Some of such projects are non-exclusive. Also we have internal researches. Please let us know via video(at)graphics.cs.msu_ru if you are interested in acquiring a license for such filters or making a custom R&D project on video processing, compression, computer vision.
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    Other information

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    Last updated: 10-March-2011
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    Project sponsored by YUVsoft Corp.

    Project supported by MSU Graphics & Media Lab

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