Vector quantization (VQ) provides a fast, low-power image compression
technique for video communication products. However, since VQ techniqu
es operate on each block of the image separately, they have been criti
cized for producing visually-disturbing blocking artifacts, especially
at low bitrates. In this paper, we present a VQ technique which uses
hexagonally-shaped vectors to greatly reduce blocking artifacts. The e
ffectiveness of the technique is demonstrated experimentally.