Optimal coding unit decision for early termination in high efficiency video coding using enhanced whale optimization algorithm

Video compression is an emerging research topic in the field of block based video encoders. Due to the growth of video coding technologies, high efficiency video coding (HEVC) delivers superior coding performance. With the increased encoding complexity, the HEVC enhances the rate-distortion (RD) performance. In the video compression, the out-sized coding units (CUs) have higher encoding complexity. Therefore, the computational encoding cost and complexity remain vital concerns, which need to be considered as an optimization task. In this manuscript, an enhanced whale optimization algorithm (EWOA) is implemented to reduce the computational time and complexity of the HEVC. In the EWOA, a cosine function is incorporated with the controlling parameter A and two correlation factors are included in the WOA for controlling the position of whales and regulating the movement of search mechanism during the optimization and search processes. The bit streams in the Luma-coding tree block are selected using EWOA that defines the CU neighbors and is used in the HEVC. The results indicate that the EWOA achieves best bit rate (BR), time saving, and peak signal to noise ratio (PSNR). The EWOA showed 0.006-0.012 dB higher PSNR than the existing models in the real-time videos