This book presents a framework of test methodology to assess spatial domain compression artefacts produced by image and intra-frame coded video codecs. A taxonomy of image and video compression artefacts is presented. This is based on the point of origin of the artefact in the image communication model. This book also presents objective evaluation of distortions known as artefacts due to image and intra-frame coded video compression made using synthetic test patterns. Qualitative definitions of blockiness, blur and ringing artefacts are given. These definitions have been augmented with quantitative definitions in conjunction with test patterns described. A test and measurement environment is described in which the codec under test is exercised using a portfolio of test patterns. The test patterns are designed to highlight the artefact under study. Algorithms that have been developed to detect and measure individual artefacts based on the characteristics of respective artefacts are described. Since the spatial contents of the original test patterns form known structural details, the artefact distortion metrics based on the characteristic of artefacts are clean and swift to calculate

Amal is a Chartered Professional Engineer(UK), Fellow of IET(UK), a Member of IPENZ & IEEE. In 2000 he was awarded a prestigious award in recognition of contributions he made to the broadcasting development by the Institution of Engineers Sri Lanka. He collaborates multi-media signal processing research in Japan at the Tokyo University of Science.