Fast block mode decision algorithm in H.264/AVC using a filter bank of Kalman filters for high definition encoding

Abstract

In this paper, we propose a fast mode decision algorithm using a filter bank of Kalman filters for H.264/ AVC. For the highest coding efficiency in H.264/AVC, a macroblock can be coded with seven different block sizes for motion compensation in an inter mode and various spatial prediction modes in an intra mode. The conventional encoder employs a complex technique for mode decision based on a rate-distortion (RD) cost of all possible modes. Hence, for the purpose of selecting the best block mode with the minimum RD cost, the conventional procedure requires much computational burden and a very complex encoding structure. In order to reduce the complexity, we propose a fast algorithm for mode decision based on Kalman filtering to estimate RD cost of a specific block mode. Furthermore, we propose an optimized structure of H.264/AVC encoder to implement the proposed algorithm. Without considerable performance degradation, using SIMD technology, the computer simulation shows that the proposed methods are dramatically faster than the original JM 9.6 encoder.

Fast Mode Decision in H.264/AVC

“…Their algorithm devised three heuristics instead of three smoothness conditions to be used for predicting subsets of decidable modes. Firstly, the In (Seok, 2008), the authors propose a fast mode decision algorithm using a filter bank of Kalman filters for the H.264/AVC. The basic idea is similar with (Jeon, 2003;Grecos, 2006).…”

A Novel Method for Bitrate Control within Macroblocks Using Kalman and FIR Filters

“…In general, almost all video-compression standards including MPEG-4 Part 10 AVC/H.264 have been developed as a means of reducing the total amount of data required for transmitting video while maintaining the quality as high as possible despite compressing the video data during the encoding process [1], [2]. While there are many techniques used within video codes to improve the quality of low bitrate video, service providers tend to desire even smaller bitrates with better quality.…”