Feature-based intra-prediction mode decision for H.264

A fast mode decision method for Intra prediction in H.264 is proposed in this work to reduce the encoder complexity. The proposed algorithm adopts a multi-stage sequential mode decision process that uses joint spatial and transform domain features to filter out unlikely candidate modes and, in the final stage, a simplified rate-distortion optimization method with a rate-distortion model is applied to a very limited number of candidates. It incorporates an early termination mechanism to save computations. Experimental results are given to demonstrate that the proposed scheme achieves a speed-up factor of 10-15 as compared with the current RD optimized mode decision with little quality degradation.

• Type: Conference
• Year: 2004
• Where: ICIP
• Authors: Changsung Kim, Hsuan-Huei Shih, C. C. Jay Kuo
• Keywords: ICIP 2004, Image Processing, Mode Decision Method, Rate-distortion Model, Rate-distortion Optimization Method, Sequential Mode Decision, Unlikely Candidate Modes