Digital Video In Information Networks (October 1998)

Integrated Layered Compression System Prototype

Sponsor: DemoGraFX

• Project Performance Period: 1/1/1999 - 12/31/2000
• Total project (est.): $2,505,300.00
• Requested ATP funds: $2,000,000.00

For each theatrical film, several generations of copies totaling more than 1,000 prints are typically made of the master for release to theaters. Image quality is degraded with each generation, and prints can be damaged during use, or fade over time. DemoGraFX plans to develop a prototype compression and decompression system to enable the secure end-to-end deployment of digital films, which retain image quality during copying, use, and storage. Such a system is needed because a typical motion picture contains terabytes of digital data, which exceeds existing storage and quality-control capabilities. The prototype compression engine will contain digital signal processors to reduce noise and provide encryption and other signal conditioning. It will be based on the company's existing layered compression technology, which provides spatial scalability at high resolution. This technology, however, must meet industry's need for near-real-time compression speeds, through innovative optimization of the compression algorithm, and for security, through innovations in the integration of watermarking and encryption technology, without affecting video quality. Technology also will be developed to provide real-time decompression and decryption in theaters. In addition, methods will be devised for controlling image and color quality from capture to projection. The new technologies will extend MPEG-2 video compression to enable digital cinema, which demands the highest quality video and the best possible intellectual property protection. While the benefits of conversion to digital cinema are significant and will help the United States maintain leadership in this lucrative market, the high-risk nature of developing a system that meets industry's needs for quality and security has deterred investment. If successfully developed and later commercialized, the new delivery system is expected to cost about the same as existing film-based projection systems. Movies could be distributed electronically to theaters, saving $400 million now spent annually on release prints for the top-grossing 250 U.S. releases. New U.S. industries could be established to handle scanning, compression, and delivery of digital prints, creating domestic and export markets potentially worth hundreds of millions of dollars. Spin-off applications of the new technology could include digital film archiving and satellite delivery of digital films and televised live events. A subcontractor, Mercury Computer (Chelmsford, Mass.), will build the hardware modules for compression and decompression.

For project information:

Phyllies Wreagh, (310) 452-7587
demografx@earthlink.net

ATP Project Manager

Barbara Cuthill, (301) 975-3273
barbara.cuthill@nist.gov