Block Edge Detection based Fast Sample Adaptive Offset Parameter Estimation for HEVC Encoder

Abstract

In this paper, we propose a fast sample adaptive offset (SAO) parameter estimation algorithm based on the block-based edge detection in High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC) encoder. Instead of the exhaustive search to find the best SAO parameters among all massive combinations, the proposed algorithm decides the best edge offset by analyzing the input block's edge characteristics in advance. From the experimental results, the proposed algorithm achieves 61.21% time-saving with 1.09% BD-rate increase on average, compared to HEVC reference software HM 16.9.