Recent advances in video coding using static background models

Sprite coding, as standardized in MPEG-4 Visual, can result in superior performance compared to common hybrid video codecs both objectively and subjectively. However, state-of-the-art video coding standard H.264/AVC clearly outperforms MPEG-4 Visual sprite coding in broad bit rate ranges. Based on the sprite coding idea, this paper proposes a video coding technique that merges the advantages of H.264/AVC and sprite coding. For that, sophisticated algorithms for global motion estimation, sprite generation and object segmentation — all needed for thorough sprite coding — are incorporated into an H.264/AVC coding environment. The proposed approach outperforms H.264/AVC especially in lower bit rate ranges. Savings up to 21% can be achieved.