Spatially-aligned prediction improves lossless JPEG XS raw image compression
Researchers proposed the CfL-enhanced Star-Tetrix transform (CfL-STT) to improve lossless raw image compression within the JPEG XS standard. By integrating spatially-aligned luma samples, the method improves coding efficiency while suppressing sensor noise and maintaining exact reversibility.
Key Takeaways
- Proposed CfL-STT integrates Chroma from Luma (CfL) prediction into the existing Star-Tetrix transform to reduce spectral redundancy.
- Uses spatially-aligned luma samples via horizontal and vertical linear interpolation to resolve mismatched grids in Bayer CFA raw images.
- Method introduces an implicit low-pass filtering effect that suppresses high-frequency sensor noise during the decorrelation process.
- Implementation in JPEG XS reference software demonstrates consistent coding efficiency gains for lossless raw image compression.
Why It Matters
This development addresses a critical bottleneck in professional mezzanine workflows where raw sensor data must be preserved without the artifacts of early demosaicing. By improving lossless efficiency without increasing computational complexity, CfL-STT enables higher-resolution raw data transmission over bandwidth-constrained links like Gigabit Ethernet. For the broader ecosystem, this reinforces JPEG XS as the primary alternative to uncompressed SDI and ST 2110-22 transport, particularly for remote production and cloud-based editing. Watch for the integration of these spatially-aware tools into upcoming JPEG XS Third Edition reference software releases by late 2026.
Additional Context
The JPEG Committee has accelerated its focus on high-fidelity, low-latency workflows throughout 2025 and 2026. Per the JPEG Committee (January 2025), the Second Edition of JPEG XS already established support for 12-bit lossless compression and raw Bayer (CFA) coding tools. This groundwork allowed the subsequent 2024 publication of the Third Edition, which introduced Temporal Decorrelation Coding (TDC). According to intoPIX (March 2026), TDC provides up to a 10 dB improvement in compression efficiency for static and screen content, such as e-sports and desktop graphics, without increasing end-to-end latency beyond its signature sub-millisecond range.
Market adoption of these lightweight standards is scaling rapidly in professional sectors. Per Media Links (November 2024), JPEG XS was used to facilitate hundreds of feeds for the 2024 Paris Olympics, proving its reliability for Tier 1 live global events over IP networks. This momentum has continued into 2026, with Net Insight announcing at NAB 2026 a high-density IP system capable of handling up to 90 UHD JPEG XS streams within a single device for ST 2110 environments. These hardware advancements prioritize processing capacity and network utilization to meet rising demand for 4K and 8K live production.
Beyond traditional broadcast, the standard is diversifying into machine-centric and ultra-high-resolution applications. Per the 111th JPEG Meeting reports (June 2026), the committee is finalizing amendments to Part 2 that include new frame buffer levels for proxy-stream extraction. This is particularly relevant as the industry shifts toward "compression-first" architectures in automotive sensorsSUR and remote healthcare. According to recent search data (May 2026), JPEG XS is now the emerging choice for sub-frame-latency surgical feeds and in-sensor ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems), where visual precision and deterministic speed are non-negotiable.
Read full article at arxiv.org
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