Film grain simulation for normal play and trick mode play for video playback systems

1. A method for simulating film grain in video in a video receiver, comprising the steps of

receiving film grain information in a supplemental information message charactering film grain in an original video image;

decoding the received film grain information

performing ( 214 ) film grain simulation within a film grain simulator within the video receiver on a sequence of decoded video pictures in accordance with the decoded film grain information applied in decode order to the sequence of decoded video pictures.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the simulating of film grain is bit accurate.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the simulating of film grain is consistent irrespective of play mode.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the play mode is trick play.

5. A method for managing a pseudo random number generator (PRNG), comprising the steps of:

resetting ( 224 ) at least one default value of the PRNG at a playback mechanism reset condition; and

using the value of the PRNG to simulate film grain.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the simulating of film grain is consistent irrespective of play mode.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the play mode is trick play.

8. The method of claim 5 , wherein the DVD playback mechanism reset condition comprises an insertion of a disc.

9. A method for simulating film grain in video using a pseudo random number generator (PRNG) by characterizing film grain in an original video image, comprising the steps of:

obtaining ( 234 ) from the PRNG a PRNG seed at a beginning of a given frame in a sequence of decoded frames;

applying ( 236 ) the same PRNG seed from the PRNG for the same given frame in the sequence during a pause thereof; and

using the value of the PRNG to simulate film grain.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the simulation of film grain is consistent irrespective of play mode.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the play mode is trick play.

12. An apparatus for simulating film grain on a sequence of decoded pictures, comprising:

means for receiving film grain information in a supplemental information message charactering film grain in an original video image;

means for decoding the received film grain information; and

a film grain simulator ( 154 ) for performing film grain simulation on the sequence of decoded pictures in accordance with the decoded film grain information applied in decode order to the sequence of decoded video pictures.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the simulating of film grain is bit accurate.

14. The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the simulating of film grain is consistent irrespective of play mode.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the play mode is trick play.

16. An apparatus for managing a pseudo random number generator (PRNG), comprising a film grain simulator for resetting at least one default value of the PRNG at a DVD playback mechanism reset condition and for simulating film grain using the value of the PRNG.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the simulating of film grain is consistent irrespective of play mode.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the play mode is trick play.

19. The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the DVD playback mechanism reset condition comprises an insertion of a disc.

20. An apparatus for simulating film grain in video using a pseudo random number generator (PRNG) by characterizing film grain in an original video image, comprising a film grain simulator ( 154 ) for (1) obtaining a PRNG seed at a beginning of a given frame in a sequence of decoded frames, (2) for applying the same PRNG seed for the same given frame in the sequence during a pause thereof; and (3) for using the value of the PRNG to simulate film grain.

21. The apparatus of claim 20 , wherein the simulating of film grain is consistent irrespective of play mode.

22. The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the play mode is trick play.

23. An apparatus for simulating film grain in video using a pseudo random number generator (PRNG) by characterizing film grain in an original video image, comprising:

means for obtaining a PRNG seed at a beginning of a given frame in a sequence of decoded frames;

means for applying the same PRNG seed for the same given frame in the sequence during a pause thereof; and

means for using the value of the PRNG to simulate film grain.

24. The apparatus of claim 23 , wherein the simulating of film grain is consistent irrespective of play mode.

25. The apparatus of claim 24 , wherein the play mode is trick play.