An encoder sends binary information indicating whether a prediction mode is forward or not-forward for one or more macroblocks in an interlaced B-field. For example, the encoder sends forward/not-forward decision information at B-field level in a compressed bitplane. Sending forward/not-forward prediction mode decision information in a compressed bitplane at B-field level can reduce coding overhead for prediction mode coding. A decoder performs corresponding decoding.
RELATED APPLICATION INFORMATION
This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/882,135, entitled, "Advanced Bi-directional Predictive Coding of Interlaced Video," filed Jun. 29, 2004, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/501,081, entitled "Video Encoding and Decoding Tools and Techniques," filed Sep. 7, 2003, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
The following co-pending U.S. patent applications relate to the present application and are hereby incorporated by reference: 1) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/622,378, entitled, "Advanced Bi-Directional Predictive Coding of Video Frames," filed Jul. 18, 2003; 2) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/622,284, entitled, "Intraframe and Interframe Interlace Coding and Decoding," filed Jul. 18, 2003; 3) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/622,841, entitled, "Coding of Motion Vector Information," filed Jul. 18, 2003; and 4) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/857,453, entitled, "Predicting Motion Vectors for Fields of Forward-predicted Interlaced Video Frames," filed May 27, 2004.
