Rate-distortion and complexity optimized motion estimation for H.264 video coding

11.264 video coding standard supports several inter-prediction coding modes that use macroblock (MB) partitions with variable block sizes. Rate-distortion (R-D) optimal selection of both the motion vectors (MVs) and the coding mode of each MB is essential for an H.264 encoder to achieve superior coding efficiency. Unfortunately, searching for optimal MVs of each possible subblock incurs a heavy computational cost. In this paper, in order to reduce the computational burden of integer-pel motion estimation (ME) without sacrificing from the coding performance, we propose a R-D and complexity joint optimization framework. Within this framework, we develop a simple method that determines for each MB which partitions are likely to be optimal. MV search is carried out for only the selected partitions, thus reducing the complexity of the ME step. The mode selection criteria is based on a measure of spatiotemporal activity within the MB. The procedure minimizes the coding loss at a given level of computational complexity either for the full video sequence or for each single frame. For the latter case, the algorithm provides a tight upper bound on the worst case complexity/execution time of the ME module. Simulation results show that the algorithm speeds up integer-pel ME by a factor of up to 40 with less than 0.2 dB loss in coding efficiency.Publisher's Versio

A novel approach to fast multi-block motion estimation for H.264 video coding

The upcoming video coding standard, H.264, uses motion estimation with multiple block sizes to improve the rate-distortion performance. However, full exhaustive search of all block sizes is computational intensive with complexity increasing linearly with the number of allowed block size. In this paper, a novel fast multi-block motion estimation (FMBME) is proposed for H.264 video coding. Experimental results show that the proposed FMBME can efficiently reduce the computational cost by 40.73% with similar visual quality and bit rate

Mode decision for the H.264/AVC video coding standard

H.264/AVC video coding standard gives us a very promising future for the field of video broadcasting and communication because of its high coding efficiency compared with other older video coding standards. However, high coding efficiency also carries high computational complexity. Fast motion estimation and fast mode decision are two very useful techniques which can significantly reduce computational complexity. This thesis focuses on the field of fast mode decision. The goal of this thesis is that for very similar RD performance compared with H.264/AVC video coding standard, we aim to find new fast mode decision techniques which can afford significant time savings. [Continues.

Fast Motion Estimation Algorithms for Block-Based Video Coding Encoders

The objective of my research is reducing the complexity of video coding standards in real-time scalable and multi-view applications

Fast motion estimation algorithms for block-based video coding encoders

The objective of my research is reducing the complexity of video coding standards in real-time scalable and multi-view applications.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo