Information Hiding in Versatile Video Coding (VVC) with Slice Quantisation and Sub-Block Transformation Techniques

Hau, Joan (2025) Information Hiding in Versatile Video Coding (VVC) with Slice Quantisation and Sub-Block Transformation Techniques. Masters thesis, Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology.

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Abstract

Information hiding in videos plays a critical function in several areas, such as video authentication and content augmentation. Although information hiding in video has been extensively studied, research on combining it with the latest video compression standard, H.266/Versatile Video Coding (VVC), has received limited attention. This research proposes new techniques for embedding information in compressed video streams using H.266/VVC. Recent advances in transform coding techniques have led to the adoption of advanced tools in VVC. This research aims at identifying special permutations within the VVC framework tailored towards hiding information by focussing on Selective Quantisation Techniques (SQT), Selective Sub-Block Transformation Techniques (SSBTT), and Conjoined Techniques (CT) for embedding different types of information in video streams. The merit of each technique is analysed while considering the context of files of various sizes, from small image and audio files to large, combined data formats. This research evaluates the performance of the proposed techniques through detailed analysis and benchmarking against performance metrics such as achieved bit rate, Mean Squared Error (MSE), Peak Signal-to- Noise Ratio (PSNR), Structural Similarity Index Measure (SSIM), Bjøntegaard Delta PSNR (BD-PSNR), and Bjøntegaard Delta Bit Rate (BD-BR). The results show that the proposed techniques achieve minimal degradation of a maximum of 0.05dB in PSNR, with CT demonstrating the highest embedding capacity among the proposed and benchmark techniques. SQT are particularly effective for smaller files, while SSBTT and CT are effective in handling larger merged files. This research supports the applicability of VVCbased information hiding techniques in secure communications and digital rights management, as well as its capability of inserting several data formats into the video stream while maintaining video integrity.