Video Stabilization - what is new ?

Some of you want to know how is our video stabilization better than the image stabilization technology that is used in latest digital cameras and camcorders. We have looked at existing image stabilization technologies and  studied their limitations. A vast majority of consumer cameras use  optical image stabilization that consists of implementing an optical system that compensates for unwanted camera motion using motion sensors and active optical system. This approach is potentially powerful, but makes video cameras significantly more expensive and failure-prone due to the moving parts (the lens or image sensors have to be moved to compensate for detected motion). There are also problems of detecting, measuring and compensating for rotational motion about the optical axis, which are not addressed in most optical stabilization solutions. 

 

Often, hybrid methods are used where motion detection and measurement is done using sensors, but the compensation is done in software.   Our approach fits into the digital video stabilization category where the acquired frames are processed in real time to estimate motion (translational and rotational) and compensate for it using image processing techniques. Within this category our technology employs proprietary algorithms that provide superior stabilization and that too on a DSP. 

A few problems with optical stabilization are that it is -

1. Not modular - harder to integrate into a wide range of cameras as it is an electromechanical solution

2. Expensive 

3. Inflexible and hence quality is an issue. While optical stabilization can, in a controlled environment, provide great results, it is more likely to give unpredictable results in unconstrained environment.  Rotational motion is not compensated in most optical stabilization technologies.

A software-on-a-chip approach is only limited by the processing power of the DSP and provides high level of flexibility that can be integrated into virtually any solution of any form factor.  Digital video stabilization is an architecture choice, that pays both in the short and long term. Optical stabilization is something that will continue to to be used in high-end cameras for professionals. Digital stabilization will continue to gather more momentum and acquire larger chunks of the market.

We have compared the results of stabililzation of other solutions and have found our stabilization solution to come up on tops with rock solid stabilization that compensates for all random motion, both translational and rotational. Our software also allows ignoring smooth and continuous motion as witnessed in panning or standard movement of the person carrying the camera.

While at a capability level we strive to provide better solutions, the power of the approach also comes from being able to create solutions that combine multiple intelligent video capabilities to create user value such as combine stabilization with motion detection. This allows cameras to detect motion and stabilize the camera around the region of interest.  To reiterate, DSP based solutions are more malleable and can be molded to create user value very rapidly. 

mAmigo Video Stabilization Sample Video

Recently, we tested our video stabilization implementation on videos shot from my Sony camcorder. Our results were quite remarkable across a wide data set. I am posting one sample video from this data set and look forward to comments from folks.

Pre-stabilization video

Post stabilization video