Bi-Directional Predictive Frame (B-Frame)

Last Updated: December 30, 2013

Definition - What does Bi-Directional Predictive Frame (B-Frame) mean?

A bi-directional predictive frame (B-Frame) is part of an MPEG video compression standard. In this method, groups of sequential pictures are aggregated to form a group of pictures (GOP), which are displayed in sequence to provide video. A single bi-directional predictive frame relates to other frames directly preceding or following it.

By recording just the information that differs from a preceding picture or a following picture, the data storage requirements for each individual picture become much lower than in a technique that would store each successive image completely.

A bi-directional predictive frame may also be known as a bi-directional frame.

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Techopedia explains Bi-Directional Predictive Frame (B-Frame)

Using other factors like slices per frame, experts are able to come up with more precise compression ratios for these types of MPEG files. New techniques such as temporal trajectory filtering can also help. New MPEG standards are maintained by the Motion Picture Experts Group, a creation of the International Organization for Standardization and the International Electrotechnical Commission.