High Performance Scalable Image Compression with EBCOT

Authors

David S. Taubman

Year

2000

Journal Paper

Algorithm

EBCOT

Source

IEEE Transactions on Image Processing

Identifiers

DOI 10.1109/83.847830

Abstract¶

A new image compression algorithm is proposed, based on independent Embedded Block Coding with Optimized Truncation of the embedded bit-streams (EBCOT). The algorithm exhibits state-of-the-art compression performance while producing a bit-stream with a rich set of features, including resolution and SNR scalability together with a "random access" property. The algorithm has modest complexity and is suitable for applications involving remote browsing of large compressed images. The algorithm lends itself to explicit optimization with respect to MSE as well as more realistic psychovisual metrics, capable of modeling the spatially varying visual masking phenomenon.

Summary¶

Taubman introduces EBCOT, the embedded block coding and post-compression rate-distortion optimization framework that became the core coding engine of JPEG 2000. Its independent code blocks, optimized truncation, scalability, random access, and visual-metric compatibility made wavelet image coding far more flexible than earlier global embedded coders such as EZW and SPIHT.