COMPARATIVE-STUDY OF WAVELET IMAGE CODERS

We compare several wavelet-based coders in the encoding of still image s. Two image-quality metrics are used in our comparative study: a perc eption-based, quantitative picture quality scale and the conventional distortion measure, peak signal-to-noise ratio. Coders are evaluated i n the rate-distortion sense. The effects of different wavelets, quanti zers, and encoders are assessed individually. Two representative wavel ets, three quantizers, three encoders, and the combinations of these c omponents are compared. Our results provide insight into the design is sues of optimizing wavelet coders, as well as a good reference for app lication developers to choose from an increasingly large family of wav elet coders for their applications. (C) 1996 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers.