Functionality

Input & output

As shown in the diagram above, the DIL needs two inputs:

  • input buffers - the same buffers that are fed to the base decoder in encoding order;

  • base decoded frames - produced by the base decoder in presentation order;

and produces an output onto either a

  • buffer or

  • offscreen texture or

  • onscreen surface.

Colour formats

The DIL can operate on a base decoded picture in the following colour formats:

  • YUV420 I420 - planar Y, U and V with 4:2:0 subsampled chroma;

  • YUV420 NV12 - semi-planar Y (planar), and UV (interleaved) with 4:2:0 subsampled chroma;

  • RGB/RGBA - raster Red Green Blue, i.e. on one plane with interleaved colour components;

Modes

The DIL can be configured to work with two types of internal pipeline:

  • CPU - all the LCEVC stages are performed in CPU, only using SIMD acceleration, by means of the DPI only, the GPU is used only for the possible YUV/RGB conversion;

  • GPU - most of the LCEVC stages are performed in GPU suing GL shaders, including YUV/RGB conversions, while the CPU is only used to produce the LCEVC residual planes at both LOQs

Output type

The DIL offers decoding to either

  • on screen

  • off screen

On screen refers to a window from the OS window system, currently EGL and GLFW windowing systems are supported.

Off screen refers to an array of buffers or GL textures in memory. The latter case has been designed to allow the client to manage decode and presentation separately, for example to allow buffering/queuing already decoded pictures before display.

Other configurable features

On creating a DIL instance, the client can configure additional features, such as:

  • OpenGL major and minor versions (to force a specific version over the system’s selected one);

  • Use of OpenGL ES;

  • Use of 8 bit LCEVC residual planes - instead of 16 bit

  • Use of Hardware Buffers - (Apple and Android only)

  • Enable an on screen UI for stats and live config;

  • Enable dumping stats to local storage;

  • Enable dumping raw output frames to local storage;

The clients configures the DIL at creation time by passing a JSON string and a pair of window system related parameters for context and destination surface.

API Overview

Using the DIL is fairly easy, especially if compared to the more basic DPI, since it operates at a relatively high abstraction level. Apart from obvious creation and destruction of a DIL instance (respectively DIL_Create() and DIL_Destroy()), the main API calls are effectively two:

  • Feed input - DIL_AddNALData()

  • Decode - DIL_DecodeandRender() (for decoding on screen, alternatively DIL_Decode() for decoding off screen followed by DIL_Render())

  • Feed input - DIL_AddNALData()

  • Decode - DIL_DecodeandRender() (for decoding on screen, alternatively DIL_Decode() for decoding off screen followed by DIL_Render())

The DIL also offers an API for the client to retrieve the size of the output picture, which can be useful to pre-allocate buffers or textures of the right size before decoding:

  • Get size information - DIL_GetDecodeInformation()

Note: input buffers must have NAL byte stream format with either Annex B or Length Prefix format.

Drop/Skip frames

LCEVC content may be encoded with a temporal feature that requires each and every frame to be actioned on in order to keep the DPI internal temporal reference data correct. As a result when the client skips frames, for ex. because of a seek in the timeline, or drops frames because they are “late”, it shall let the DIL know by calling the following function:

  • DIL_DecodeSkip()

The DIL does know whether the temporal feature is on and therefore can fall back to a no operation case if that is the case. It is not advised that the client tries to implement this behaviour on its side.

Synchronous and Asynchronous modes

The DIL can be used in both synchronous or asynchronous mode. This is applicable to the decode and render functions:

  • DIL_Decode()

  • DIL_DecodeAndRender()

  • DIL_DecodeSkip()

  • DIL_Render()

If the client has previously set the callback function by means of the DIL_SetDecodedAsyncCallback() or DIL_SetRenderAsyncCallback() API calls, the above decode functions will work asynchronously, therefore returning immediately and triggering the client’s callback function when the decode (or render) has completed. If the callback has not been set the functions will work synchronously.

Base pass-through mode

The DIL also supports a pass-through mode, in which the base is simply copied on to the output without applying the LCEVC enhancement. This mode is triggered when no LCEVC data is found for the frame and can be set as forced behaviour, for every frame, from the JSON configuration.

Example Integration Code

In basic terms, a sample integration code using the DIL can be briefly described, among the various phases, as follows:

DIL API

DIL_Create

Create an instance of a DIL Decoder

  • json_settings JSON string with initialisation parameters

  • context_settings settings from the windowing system

  • instance decoder instance created

  • return DIL API return code

DIL_Destroy

Destroy an instance of a DIL Decoder

  • decoder instance to be destroyed

DIL_GetImage

Returns a fresh usable instance of DIL_Image

  • decoder DIL instance

  • image_desc Describing Image configurations

  • image Result DIL_Image if creation is successful, NULL otherwise

  • return DIL_RC_Error if image_desc contains incompatible values

DIL_ReleaseImage

Releases instance of DIL_Image

NOTE: No reference calls to image address should be made after this method

  • decoder DIL instance

  • image DIL_Image instance to be released

  • return DIL API return code

DIL_ImageGetDesc

Will return DIL_ImageDesc of the image

  • image DIL_Image to query

  • desc Contents of the pointer will be rewritten with image descriptions

  • return DIL API return code

DIL_ImageSetActiveRegion

Will set the active region for an image

  • image DIL_Image instance to modify

  • offset_x X offset for the region

  • offset_y Y offset for the region

  • width width for the region

  • height height for the region

  • return DIL_RC_Error if crop region is out of bounds, image_type doesn't support cropping

DIL_ImageGetActiveRegion

Will get the active region for an image

  • image DIL_Image instance to modify

  • offset_x X offset for the region

  • offset_y Y offset for the region

  • width width for the region

  • height height for the region

  • return DIL_RC_Error if crop region is out of bounds, image_type doesn't support cropping

DIL_ImageGetPlanesCount

Will return number image's number of planes

  • image DIL_Image to query

  • plane_count Will be filled with number of planes

  • return DIL API return code

DIL_ImageSetPlaneBuffer

Will set content and configurations of a plane by data buffer

  • image DIL_Image instance to modify

  • plane_index Index of the plane to modify

  • buffer_desc DIL_ImagePlaneBufferDesc instance to read from

  • return DIL_RC_Error if plane_index is out of bounds, image_type is not DIL_Buffer or image is managed

DIL_ImageGetPlaneBuffer

Will return content and configurations of a plane

  • image DIL_Image to query

  • plane_index Index of the plane to query

  • buffer_desc DIL_ImagePlaneBufferDesc instance to write to

  • return DIL_RC_Error if plane_index is out of bounds or image_type is not DIL_Buffer

DIL_ImageSetPlaneTexture

Will set content and configurations of a plane by OpenGL/GLES texture

  • image DIL_Image instance to modify

  • plane_index Index of the plane to modify

  • texture_desc DIL_ImagePlaneTextureDesc instance to read from

  • return DIL_RC_Error if plane_index is out of bounds, image_type is not DIL_Texture or image is managed

DIL_ImageGetPlaneTexture

Will return content and configurations of a plane by OpenGL/GLES texture

  • image DIL_Image instance to modify

  • plane_index Index of the plane to modify

  • texture_desc DIL_ImagePlaneTextureDesc instance to read from

  • return DIL_RC_Error if plane_index is out of bounds, image_type is not DIL_Texture or image is managed

DIL_ImageSetPlaneHardwareBuffer

Will set content and configurations of a plane by OS specific Hardware buffer.

  • image DIL_Image instance to modify

  • plane_index Index of the plane to modify

  • desc DIL_ImagePlaneHardwareBufferDesc instance to read from

  • return DIL_RC_Error if plane_index is out of bounds, image_type is not DIL_Texture or image is managed

DIL_ImageGetPlaneHardwareBuffer

Will return content and configurations of a plane by OS specific Hardware buffer.

  • image DIL_Image instance to query

  • plane_index Index of the plane to query

  • desc DIL_ImagePlaneHardwareBufferDesc instance to write to

  • return Will return DIL_RC_Error if plane_index is out of bounds or image_type is not DIL_HardwareBuffer

DIL_ImageSetUserData

Will set the user data associated with the image

  • image DIL_Image to set the userdata for

  • userdata The userdata to associate with the image

  • return DIL_RC_InvalidParam if the image, DIL_RC_Success otherwise

DIL_ImageGetUserData

Will get the user data associated with the image through DIL_ImageSetUserData

  • image DIL_Image to get the userdata for

  • userdata The userdata to associate with the image

  • return DIL_RC_InvalidParam if the image is invalid or userdata is invalid, DIL_RC_Success otherwise

DIL_ImagePlaneHardwareBufferLock

Will return content and configurations of a plane buffer obtained by locking the hardware buffer for CPU access

  • image DIL_Image to access

  • plane_index Index of the plane to query

  • read_access Whether we want read access

  • write_access Whether we want write access

  • buffer_desc DIL_ImagePlaneBufferDesc instance to write to

  • return Will return DIL_RC_Error if plane_index is out of bounds or image_type is not DIL_HardwareBuffer

DIL_ImagePlaneHardwareBufferUnlock

Will unlock the hardware buffer plane once CPU access is completed.

  • image DIL_Image to unlock

  • plane_index Index of the plane to query

  • return Returns DIL_RC_Error if plane_index is out of bounds or image_type is not DIL_HardwareBuffer

DIL_AddTSData

Feed Transport Stream packet(s) for the DIL to extract and store LCEVC data, feed a buffer of TS packets associated with the Access Unit identified by input cc and timestamp

NOTE: input_cc is a feed counter identifying which feed the passed data belongs to, the client shall increment its value every time the input changes, typically because of a playback position change or a rendition change in an ABR playback

NOTE: input_cc shall have monotonically increasing value over calls

  • decoder DIL instance

  • input_cc input continuity counter

  • data pointer to the TS buffer

  • size size of the TS buffer

  • returns DIL API return code

DIL_AddWebmData

Feed Webm payload for the DIL to extract and store LCEVC data

  • decoder DIL instance

  • input_cc input continuity counter

  • data pointer to the TS buffer

  • size size of the TS buffer

  • returns DIL API return code

DIL_AddNALData

Feed NAL unit(s) for the DIL to extract and store LCEVC data, feed a buffer of NAL units associated with the Access Unit identified by input cc and timestamp

NOTE: input_cc is a feed counter identifying which feed the passed data belongs to, the client shall increment its value every time the input changes, typically because of a playback position change or a rendition change in an ABR playback

NOTE: input_cc shall have monotonically increasing value over calls

NOTE: timestamp shall have monotonically increasing value over calls within the same input_cc

  • decoder DIL instance

  • input_cc input continuity counter

  • timestamp time reference for the passed NAL units

  • data pointer to the NAL units buffer

  • size size of the NAL units buffer

  • nalu_format format of the NAL units

  • return DIL API return code

DIL_AddNALDataEx

Feed NAL unit(s) for the DIL to extract and store LCEVC data (Extended), feed a buffer of NAL units associated with the Access Unit identified by input cc and timestamp and additionally let the DIL strip the LCEVC payloads and zero pad the trailing bytes, returning the new size before padding

NOTE: input_cc is a feed counter identifying which feed the passed data belongs to, the client shall increment its value every time the input changes, typically because of a playback position change or a rendition change in an ABR playback

NOTE: input_cc shall have monotonically increasing value over calls

NOTE: timestamp shall have monotonically increasing value over calls within the same input_cc

  • decoder DIL instance

  • input_cc input continuity counter

  • timestamp time reference for the passed NAL units

  • data pointer to the NAL units buffer

  • size size of the NAL units buffer

  • nalu_format format of the NAL units

  • return size of the stripped NAL units buffer

DIL_AddRawData

Feed LCEVC data to the DIL, feed a buffer of pre parsed LCEVC payload data for the Access Unit identified by input cc and timestamp

NOTE: input_cc is a feed counter identifying which feed the passed data belongs to, the client shall increment its value every time the input changes, typically because of a playback position change or a rendition change in an ABR playback

NOTE: input_cc shall have monotonically increasing value over calls

NOTE: timestamp shall have monotonically increasing value over calls within the same input_cc

  • decoder DIL instance

  • input_cc input continuity counter

  • timestamp time reference for the passed LCEVC data

  • data pointer to the NAL units buffer

  • size size of the NAL units buffer

  • return DIL API return code

DIL_GetDecodeInformation

Get details about the decoding process for the Access Unit identified by input cc and timestamp

  • decoder DIL instance

  • input_cc input continuity counter

  • timestamp time reference of the picture

  • base_width width of the base decoded picture

  • base_height height of the base decoded picture

  • information pointer to decoder information structure that the DIL will fill

  • return DIL API return code

DIL_Decode

Decode on to an off screen DIL_Image, get an off screen LCEVC enhanced (or base pass-through) picture from the input base picture relative to input cc and timestamp

  • decoder DIL instance

  • input_cc input continuity counter

  • timestamp time reference of the picture to be decoded

  • max_decode_time_us maximum amount of time the decode has to complete, use 0 to disable decode timeout

  • input pointer to decoded base picture for input cc and timestamp (it may be modified if DIL operates in CPU mode)

  • output pointer to LCEVC enhanced (or base pass-through) output picture

  • decode_information pointer to decoder information structure that the DIL will fill (if DIL_SetDecodedAsyncCallback has not been called)

  • return DIL API return code

DIL_Render

Render to back buffer a previously decoded DIL_Image

NOTE: for the scheduled render to be set DIL_SetRenderAsyncCallback must have been previously called

  • decoder DIL instance

  • input_cc input continuity counter

  • timestamp time reference of the picture to be rendered

  • image pointer to a picture to be rendered to back buffer

  • render_information pointer to a render information structure

  • delay_us delay in microseconds for the render to eb executed (0 for no delay)

  • return DIL API return code

DIL_DecodeAndRender

Decode and render immediately to back buffer

  • decoder DIL instance

  • input_cc input continuity counter

  • timestamp time reference of the picture to be decoded and rendered

  • max_decode_time_us maximum amount of time the decode has to complete, use 0 to disable decode timeout

  • input pointer to decoded base picture for input cc and timestamp (it may be modified if DIL operates in CPU mode)

  • render_information pointer to a render information structure

  • decode_information pointer to decoder information structure that the DIL will fill (if DIL_SetDecodedAsyncCallback has not been called)

  • return DIL API return code

DIL_DecodeSkip

Let the DIL know that an Access Unit is not being presented (dropped or skipped), DIL will do the minimum processing to keep internal state consistent for the next picture

NOTE: this call will generate a DecodeAsyncCallback if previously set

NOTE: calling this on an IDR Access Unit is undefined behaviour

  • decoder DIL instance

  • input_cc input continuity counter

  • timestamp time reference for the Access Unit to be skipped

  • return DIL API return code

DIL_Flush

Synchronize client and DIL by throwing away any pending decodes and renders and waiting for all callbacks to complete

NOTE: all callbacks set by DecodeAsyncCallback and RenderAsyncCallback will be called with a the result filed in the callback will indicate the error DIL_RC_Flushed making DIL calls in this callback could result in a deadlock use the DIL_SetFlushAsyncCallback to break this loop

  • decoder DIL instance

  • return DIL API return code

DIL_Drain

synchronize client and DIL by allowing any pending decodes and renders to complete and waiting for all callbacks to complete

NOTE: all callbacks set by DecodeAsyncCallback and RenderAsyncCallback will be called making DIL calls in this callback could result in a deadlock use the DIL_SetDrainAsyncCallback to break this loop

  • decoder DIL instance

  • return DIL API return code

DIL_GetGLContext

Get the DIL's GL Context

  • decoder DIL instance

  • context pointer to pointer of GL Context

  • return DIL API return code

DIL_GetGLDisplay

Get the DIL's GL Display

  • decoder DIL instance

  • display pointer to pointer of GL Display

  • return DIL API return code

DIL_SetGLWindow

Set the DIL's GL output window

  • decoder DIL instance

  • gl_external_window pointer to destination window

  • is_secure true if the destination window is secure

  • return DIL API return code

DIL_SetExitRequestedCallback

Set ExitRequest call back function

  • decoder DIL instance

  • callback pointer to DILOnExitRequestedCallBack function

  • user_data pointer to client's user data

  • return DIL API return code

DIL_SetDecodedAsyncCallback

Set asynchronous on decoded call back function

  • result result of the decode request, see DIL_ReturnCode

  • input_cc input continuity counter

  • timestamp time reference of the picture that was decoded

  • input pointer to base input picture, the same passed in the previous DIL_Decode

  • output pointer to LCEVC enhanced (or base pass-through) output picture, the same passed in the previous DIL_Decode

  • information pointer to decoder information structure (not the same passed in from the previous DIL_Decode)

  • user_data pointer to the same client's user data that was passed into the DIL_SetDecodedAsyncCallback

  • decoder DIL instance

  • callback pointer to DILOnDecodedAsyncCallBack function

  • user_data pointer to client's user data

  • return DIL API return code

DIL_SetRenderAsyncCallback

Set asynchronous on render callback function

  • result result of render request, see DIL_ReturnCode

  • completion_time_us actual time in microseconds the render completed

  • input_cc input continuity counter

  • timestamp time reference of the picture that was rendered

  • output pointer to the same picture passed in with the DIL_Render method

  • user_data pointer to the same client's user data that was passed into the DIL_SetRenderAsyncCallback

  • decoder DIL instance

  • callback pointer to DILOnRenderAsyncCallBack function

  • user_data pointer to client's user data

  • return DIL API return code

DIL_SetRenderResizeAsyncCallback

Called at the start of the render process when the image to be displayed has a different size to the last image rendered. This is a blocking call and there should be no DIL calls in the callback function.

  • result result of render request, see DIL_ReturnCode

  • completion_time_us actual time in microseconds the render completed

  • input_cc input continuity counter

  • timestamp time reference of the picture that was rendered

  • output pointer to the same picture passed in with the DIL_Render method

  • user_data pointer to the same client's user data that was passed into the DIL_SetRenderAsyncCallback

  • decoder DIL instance

  • callback pointer to DILOnRenderAsyncCallBack function

  • user_data pointer to client's user data

  • return DIL API return code

DIL_SetFlushAsyncCallback

Callback function for the DIL_Flush() function

  • user_data pointer to client's user data

  • decoder DIL instance

  • callback pointer to DILOnSynchronizeCallBack function

  • user_data pointer to client's user data

  • return DIL API return code

DIL_SetDrainAsyncCallback

Callback function for the DIL_Drain() function

  • user_data pointer to client's user data

  • decoder DIL instance

  • callback pointer to DILOnSynchronizeCallBack function

  • user_data pointer to client's user data

  • return DIL API return code

DIL_InputMouseButtonState

Pass the DIL the position of the input mouse button

  • decoder DIL instance

  • pressed true if button is pressed

  • return DIL API return code

DIL_InputMousePosition

Pass the DIL the position of the input mouse

  • decoder DIL instance

  • x horizontal coordinate of the mouse cursor

  • y vertical coordinate of the mouse cursor

  • return DIL API return code

DIL Types and Enumerations

DIL_NALFormat enum

DIL_NALFormat represents the two possible NAL Unit formats, for each of the MPEG base codecs the DIL currently supports: H264 (ISO/IEC 14496-10, aka AVC) and H265 (ISO/IEC 23008-2, aka HEVC) NAL, where Annex B indicates 3 byte 0x000001 or 4 byte 0x00000001 start code prefix as described in Annex B of (H264 or HEVC), LP (Length Prefix) indicates a 4 byte prefix with the length of the NAL unit as MSBF 32 bit unsigned int.

DIL_ReturnCode enum

DIL_ReturnCode represents the possible API return codes. Most of the API calls will return one of these values.

DIL_ColorFormat enum

This enum represents the supported colour formats, currently only 8 bit per sample formats are supported For a detailed description of the formats see: https://gstreamer.freedesktop.org/documentation/additional/design/mediatype-video-raw.html

DIL_ImageType enum

This enum identifies the type of planes the DIL_Image consists of; planes are non-overlapping sets of samples belonging to one or more colour channels with a constant sample stride, so RGB is a single plane, because R G and B pointed at separately would overlap UV from NV12 is a single plane, because U and V pointed at separately would overlap Y U and V from I420 are three planes because they do not overlap

DIL_ImageDesc struct

Holds configurations of a single DIL_Image instance

DIL_ContextSettings struct

This structure holds parameters related to the window surface the DIL would render into, in case of on screen rendering those parameters are normally provided by the windowing system, e.g. EGL, GLFW.

DIL_RenderInformation struct

This structure captures the properties related to the (on screen) window rendering, they do not apply for buffer or texture output (off screen). NOTE: rotation is a per frame property because it may change frame by frame due to for ex. the encoding device rotating while shooting.

DIL_DecodeInformation struct

This structure captures properties related to the decoding process, width and height of the output, whether LCEVC data has been found and whether it has been applied.

DIL_ImagePlaneBufferDesc struct

This struct describes a plane memory buffer

DIL_ImagePlaneTextureDesc struct

This struct describes a plane OpenGL texture

DIL_HardwareBufferUsageOption enum

This enum use used to set the UsageOption when creating HardwareBuffer DIL_Image types. It should be provided in the "hardware_buffer_usage_option" tag when configuring the DIL object

DIL_ImagePlaneHardwareBufferDesc struct

This struct describes a plane HardwareBuffer

DIL Properties API

DIL_QueryProperty

Obtain a specific named property. This function provides a way of looking up a property by name to observe it's current value, this may be of use for a user to query DIL properties

DIL_SetProperty

Set a specific named property. This function provides a way of changing a property by name

DIL_QueryPropertyGroup

Obtain all the available properties for a named group

DIL_ReleaseProperty

Release a previously queried property, this function provides a way of releasing any memory allocated by a call to DIL_QueryProperty. Any data contained in value maybe invalidated after this call

DIL_ReleasePropertyGroup

Release a previously queried property group, this function provides a way of releasing any memory allocated by a call to DIL_QueryPropertyGroup Any data contained in value maybe invalidated after this call

DILProperty struct.

This structure contains all relevant information used to query a property or metadata from the DIL.

DILPropertyGroup struct.

This structure contains a logical grouping of properties, this is a convenience feature to assist with providing a "pretty" command line, or GUI.

All properties are assigned to a group, and properties can only appear in one group.

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