Joint Optimization of Source-Channel Video Coding Using the H.264 Encoder and

One of the most challenging drawbacks of video transmis-sion over mobile lossy channels is the degradation of the re-constructed video sequence at the decoder. In fact, the high percentage of lost packets, as well as the intensive use of pre-diction to obtain a high compression ratio, greatly affects the visual quality of the reconstructed sequence. As a matter of fact, it is necessary to introduce some redundant data in order to increase the robustness of the coded bitstream. A possi-ble solution is given by filling a matrix structure with RTP packets and applying a FEC code on its columnss. However, the matrix size and the chosen type of FEC code affect the performance of the coding system. The paper proposes dif-ferent optimization algorithms that adapt the channel coder configuration according to the input signal statistics in order to maximize the objective (and perceptual) quality of the de-coded sequence. 1