8.4MPEG Frame-Compatible Stereo Enhancement for AVC (MFC)
The current popularity of stereoscopic video makes distribution using a frame-compatible stereoscopic 3D video service over AVC desirable. However, these solutions provide only half of the full spatial resolution for each channel. Transmission of an enhancement layer to achieve full resolution 3D video might be a solution to this issue. While there was a significant push and effort during the 95th meeting to issue a CfP at the 96th meeting, only two test sequences were available at this 96th meeting. At this meeting, more test sequences became available. Unfortunately, they come with a license that was not available at the start of the meeting.
Prior to issuing a CfP, evidence has to be provided. An informal viewing by four persons suggest that in a comparison MVC ranks best, a proposed MFC solution second and SVC last. N12250 Report on MFC Subjective Tests during the 97th MPEG meeting summarizes this informal test. Some claim that the difference between the proposals was minor. Given that there is an average gain in bit rate of MVC of less than 30% compared to AVC simulcast, it is not clear whether there is sufficient space to place a commercially successful standard. Some participants challenged the test setup which limits the rate for resolution enhancement to 25% of the base layer. Hence, there is no decision on a CfP yet.
In any case, MPEG progressed this matter by issuing an updated draft CfP N12249 Draft Call for Proposals on MPEG Frame-Compatible Enhancement. The adhoc group N12198 AHG on MPEG Frame Compatible (MFC) Stereo Coding continues to works on this activity.
