In video sequences, scene cuts produce a temporal masking effect on several kinds of artifacts. This temporal sensitivity reduction of the human visual system could be present before (backward masking) and after (forward masking) scene cuts. Related studies reported a significant forward masking in the first 30 to 100 ms following a scene change depending on the impairment nature and the picture content. Backward masking at scene cuts seems to be less significant. In this paper we present the results of a psychovisual experiment performed to characterize the temporal masking effect on discontinuities caused by dropped frames in the vicinity of scene cuts. The forward and backward masking was estimated in relation to a single burst of discarded frames of different durations. The four alternatives forced choice psychophysical method was employed to evaluate the detection thresholds. The test was carried out using natural video contents. Our results from the forward masking test are consistent with those reported in the state of the art even if the test conditions were quite different. However, the back masking effect on frame dropping perception is more significant than with forward masking.
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