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Introduction to the LEAD DICOM Writer

The LEAD DICOM Writer includes DirectShow® filters that are used for creating DICOM objects with compressed video and audio data.

Key Features

Ability to create DICOM files with both video and audio using MPEG-2 compression (SD or HD). The user can adjust various attributes of the MPEG-2 stream, including bit rate and quality factor.
Ability to create DICOM files with both video and audio using AVC/H.264 compression (SD, HD or BD-compatible). The user can adjust various attributes of the stream, including bit rate and quality factor.
Ability to create DICOM files with video data (cine images) using lossy and lossless JPEG and JPEG2000 compression, with the option to adjust quality factor.
Ability to add video data to either an existing DICOM file or create a new one from a set of predefined DICOM classes or IODs.
Ability to accept 8-bit RGB, 12-bit grayscale (LGRY), 16-bit grayscale (LGRY), 16-bit UYVY, 16-bit YUY2, 24-bit RGB data or MPEG-2 compressed data.
Includes a number of video processing filters, including:
- Auto Contrast
- Auto Intensity
- Auto Level
- Video Text Overlay
- Video Crop
Ability to be used with an existing application that uses DirectShow®, or programmatically from within the LEADTOOLS Medical toolkit.

Examples of DICOM objects that can be created using the LEAD DICOM Writer component

Secondary Capture Multi-Frame True Color Image Storage
Video Endoscopic Image Storage
Video Photographic Image Storage
Video Microscopic Image Storage
Ultrasound Multi-frame Image Storage
X-Ray Radiofluoroscopic Image
X-Ray Angiographic Image Storage
Secondary Capture Multi-frame Grayscale Byte Image Storage
Secondary Capture Multi-frame Grayscale Word Image Storage

MPEG-2 Encoding in DICOM

MPEG-2 is a high quality video compression, primarily targeted for applications that require higher bitrates or high bandwidth usage. The DICOM standard uses MPEG-2 lossy compression with middle range quality, which typically delivers between 30 Mbytes and 60 Mbytes per minute of video (SD) or 112 Mbytes and 300 Mbytes per minute of video (HD).
The DICOM MPEG-2 objects created using the writer fully adhere to the rules of MPEG-2 encoding in DICOM, which are described by the new transfer syntaxes:
- "MPEG-2 Main Profile @ Main Level (1.2.840.10008.1.2.4.100) for SD MPEG-2 Compression. See "Supplement 42: MPEG2 Transfer Syntax" of the DICOM standard for more information
- "MPEG-2 Main Profile @ High Level" (1.2.840.10008.1.2.4.101) for HD MPEG-2 Compression. See "Supplement 137: MPEG2 MP@HL Transfer Syntax" of the DICOM standard for more information.
Some of the typical modalities that can take advantage of MPEG-2 encoding in DICOM include microscopic and endoscopic applications such as Gastro-Enterology, Laparoscopy, Orthopedics, Ophthalmology, ENT, Gynaecology, Bronchoscopy, Pathology, and (Microscopic) Surgery.

H.264/AVC Encoding in DICOM

H264 is a high quality video compression algorithm suited for all types of applications with different ranges of bit rates. The DICOM standard uses H.264/AVC High Profile with level 4.1, which allows bitrates up to 62.5 Mbps or 40 Mbps if used in BD-compatible mode.
The DICOM H.264/AVC objects created using the writer fully adhere to the rules of H.264/AVC encoding in DICOM, which are described by the new transfer syntaxes:
- "MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 High Profile /Level 4.1(HiP@Level4.1)” (1.2.840.10008.1.2.4.102) for H.264/AVC Compression. See "DICOM PS3.5 2015c - Data Structures and Encoding" and "Supplement 149: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 Transfer Syntax" of the DICOM standard for more information
- "MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 BD-compatible High Profile / Level 4.1(HiP@Level4.1)" (1.2.840.10008.1.2.4.103) for H.264/AVC Compression supporting only Blu-ray Disc™ (BD) compatible HD (high definition) video resolutions. See "DICOM PS3.5 2015c - Data Structures and Encoding" and "Supplement 149: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 Transfer Syntax" of the DICOM standard for more information.
Some of the typical modalities that can take advantage of H.264/AVC encoding in DICOM include microscopic and endoscopic applications such as Gastro-Enterology, Laparoscopy, Orthopedics, Ophthalmology, ENT, Gynaecology, Bronchoscopy, Pathology, (Microscopic) Surgery and Transportable media. In addition, the new syntax supports high quality image communication for post-surgery analysis and real-time or after archiving education.

Note

encoding High profile video can be performed if Intel Quick Sync software encoding is used (computers without CUDA or Quick Sync hardware acceleration can do that if the Intel Quick Sync Dll is redistributed). For more information on High Profile encoding, refer to LEAD H264 Encoder 4.0.