摘要 |
<p>The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for allocating bits in a statistical multiplexing system (stat mux). A statistical multiplexer (stat mux) accommodates both compressed and uncompressed video programs using transcoding and encoding, respectively. Hierarchical dynamic bit allocation is used, starting from a super GOP level, then to a super frame level, and then to the regular (individual) frame level. At each level, a target number of bits is determined. A target number of bits for a super frame, which is a collection of frames across all channels at a given frame instance, is adaptive and is able to address any combination of picture types. Frames of the same picture type for a program are generally assigned the same (or similar) number of bits. Relative program quality can be controlled using a program priority weighting factor. Additionally, constraints on target bit rates and minimum and maximum bit rates are provided.</p> |