MATLAB Implementation of H.261 Video Codec

This MATLAB implementation of the H.261 standard provides a complete workflow for video encoding and decoding, making it particularly valuable for students beginning their study of video compression technologies. The code demonstrates fundamental video codec operations including discrete cosine transform (DCT) for spatial redundancy reduction, quantization techniques for data compression, zig-zag scanning for coefficient reorganization, and run-length encoding for efficient data representation. The implementation also covers motion estimation algorithms for temporal redundancy reduction and inverse processes for video reconstruction. Through this practical implementation, beginners can gain deeper insights into core video coding concepts such as block-based processing, rate control mechanisms, and the complete compression-decompression pipeline. For those interested in video coding fundamentals, studying this codebase will provide hands-on understanding of how theoretical concepts translate to practical implementation, significantly enhancing the learning experience.