A data hiding approach for correcting errors in H.263 video transmitted over a noisy channel

The performance of syntax-based error detection hi the framework of H.263 video transmission is not sufficient to detect errors reliably, calling for the adoption of more effective error detection techniques. A new technique, based on data hiding concepts, is proposed here to increase the error detection rate in H.263 video sequences transmitted over error-prone communication channels. Some information Is embedded into compressed H.263 video stream aiming at highlighting the regions of the frame corrupted by transmission errors. The method preserves image quality and maintains the original bit rate, without any modifications of the H.263 standard. The proposed approach allows to avoid the transmission overhead typical of FEC-based or header-based error detection algorithms, and the extra computational burden peculiar to image analysis-based techniques, achieving better results with respect to syntax-based error detection, thanks to the use of side information at the decoder.