A method for combining a random set of video features non-linearly to evaluate
perceptual quality of video sequences includes (a) receiving a video sequence for
image quality evaluation; (b) providing an objective metric image quality controller
comprising a random set of metrics ranging from M1 to Mn without
dependency information for each one metric; (c) applying each one metric individually
to the video sequence to provide an individual objective scoring value of the video
sequence ranging from x1 to xn; (d) determining a plurality
of sets of weights (w1 to wn) which correlate to predetermined
subjective evaluations of image quality for a predetermined plurality of video
sequences (n), each one set of weights being assigned a range having an incremental
value equal to the range divided by a number of combinations for each one set of
weights; (e) weighting each individual objective scoring value x1 to
xn provided by each one metric of the random set of metrics in step
(c); (f) combining metrics of the weighted individual objective scoring value of
the random set of metrics into a single objective evaluation F, wherein each weighted
individual scoring value from step (e) is multiplied by each individual objective
scoring value x1 to xn from step (c); (g) calculating a correlation
factor R to provide a correlation value for the objective evaluation F and the
plurality of video sequences (n). Steps (e), (f) and (g) are repeated to provide
a plurality of correlation factors which are ranked. A heuristic search uses a
genetic algorithm to find the best set of weights to provide objective scores closest
to predetermined subjective evaluations. A system provides the hardware and modules
that perform the non-linear combination of metrics to provide enhanced perceptual
image information.