Abstract: Method and system to improve the performance of a video encoder. The method includes processing an initial video signal in a front-end image pre-processor to obtain a processed video signal and processor information respecting the signal, providing the processed video signal and the processor information to a video encoder, and encoding the video signal in the video encoder according to the processor information to provide an encoded video signal for storage. The system includes a video pre-processor connectable to receive an initial video signal. The video encoder in communication with the video pre-processor receives a processed video signal and a processor information. A storage medium in communication with the video encoder stores an encoded video signal.

Abstract: According to an aspect, a video encoder selects a block of intermediate size from a set of block sizes for intra-prediction estimation for encoding a video signal. A set of neighbouring blocks with the intermediate size are tested for combining. If the set of neighbouring blocks are determined to be combinable, the video encoder selects a larger block size formed by the tested neighbouring blocks for encoding. On the other hand, if the set of neighbouring blocks are determined to be not combinable, the video encoder selects a smaller block size from the set of tested neighbouring blocks for prediction. According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the best mode for intra-prediction is determined by first intra-predicting a block with intermediate modes in a set of modes. Then the intra-predictions are performed for the neighbouring modes of at least one intermediate mode.

Abstract: According to an aspect, a video encoder selects a block of intermediate size from a set of block sizes for intra-prediction estimation for encoding a video signal. A set of neighbouring blocks with the intermediate size are tested for combining. If the set of neighbouring blocks are determined to be combinable, the video encoder selects a larger block size formed by the tested neighbouring blocks for encoding. On the other hand, if the set of neighbouring blocks are determined to be not combinable, the video encoder selects a smaller block size from the set of tested neighbouring blocks for prediction. According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the best mode for intra-prediction is determined by first intra-predicting a block with intermediate modes in a set of modes. Then the intra-predictions are performed for the neighbouring modes of at least one intermediate mode.

Abstract: Several methods and systems for encoding pictures associated with video data are disclosed. In an embodiment, a method includes determining by a processing module, whether a picture is to be encoded based on at least one of a skip assessment associated with the picture and an encoding status of a pre-selected number of pictures preceding the picture in an encoding sequence. The method further includes encoding by the processing module, a plurality of rows of video data associated with the picture upon determining that the picture is to be encoded, wherein the plurality of rows are encoded based on a pre-selected maximum encoded picture size.

Abstract: A video encoder including a first buffer containing a plurality of data values defining a macroblock of pixels of a video frame. The video encoder also includes a second buffer and an entropy encoder coupled to the first and second buffers and configured to encode a macroblock based on another macroblock. The entropy encoder identifies a subset of the data values from the first buffer defining a given macroblock and copies the identified subset to the second buffer, the subset of data values being just those data values used by the entropy encoder when subsequently encoding another macroblock.

Abstract: Several methods and systems for encoding pictures are disclosed. In an embodiment, a method comprises dividing an LCU of a picture into a plurality of MERs having size equal to or less than a predetermined size. For one or more MERs of the plurality of MERs, a number of first motion searches are performed for determining a first quad-tree based on a cost function associated with a first plurality of PUs of the one or more MERs. A number of second motion searches are performed for the LCU, for determining a second quad-tree, based on the cost function associated with a second plurality of PUs of the LCU. The first quad-tree or the second quad-tree is selected for performing encoding of the picture based on a comparison of a first cost of the first quad-tree with a second cost of the second quad-tree.

Abstract: Several methods and systems for encoding pictures associated with video data are disclosed. In an embodiment, a method includes determining by a processing module, whether a picture is to be encoded based on at least one of a skip assessment associated with the picture and an encoding status of a pre-selected number of pictures preceding the picture in an encoding sequence. The method further includes encoding by the processing module, a plurality of rows of video data associated with the picture upon determining that the picture is to be encoded, wherein the plurality of rows are encoded based on a pre-selected maximum encoded picture size.

Abstract: A video encoder including a first buffer containing a plurality of data values defining a macroblock of pixels of a video frame. The video encoder also includes a second buffer and an entropy encoder coupled to the first and second buffers and configured to encode a macroblock based on another macroblock. The entropy encoder identifies a subset of the data values from the first buffer defining a given macroblock and copies the identified subset to the second buffer, the subset of data values being just those data values used by the entropy encoder when subsequently encoding another macroblock.

Abstract: A video encoder receives a minimum number of bits (MIN) and a maximum number of bits (MAX) to be used to encode a segment of a sequence of image frames, the segment including a set of pictures contained in the sequence of image frames. The video encoder encodes the set of pictures using a total number of bits greater than the minimum number of bits (MIN), and not exceeding the maximum number of bits (MAX). Thus, the transmission bit-rate of the video encoder can be constrained to lie within a maximum and minimum rate. In an embodiment, the constraints are enforced over relatively short time intervals.

Abstract: A method and system for bit rate control during encoding of multimedia data are disclosed. A change in complexity of a multimedia picture relative to complexity associated with one or more multimedia pictures in a multimedia sequence is determined. A complexity associated with a multimedia picture is determined based on number of bits and an average quantization associated with the multimedia picture. A bit rate is adjusted for encoding the multimedia picture based on the change in complexity of the multimedia picture. The bit rate is increased on determining an increase in complexity of the multimedia picture and is decreased on determining a decrease in complexity of the multimedia picture. Utilization of additional bits during the increase in the bit rate and saving of bits during the decrease in the bit rate are compensated during adjusting of bit rates for encoding subsequent multimedia pictures in the multimedia sequence.

Abstract: A video encoder receives a minimum number of bits (MIN) and a maximum number of bits (MAX) to be used to encode a segment of a sequence of image frames, the segment including a set of pictures contained in the sequence of image frames. The video encoder encodes the set of pictures using a total number of bits greater than the minimum number of bits (MIN), and not exceeding the maximum number of bits (MAX). Thus, the transmission bit-rate of the video encoder can be constrained to lie within a maximum and minimum rate. In an embodiment, the constraints are enforced over relatively short time intervals.

Abstract: A method and system for bit rate control during encoding of multimedia data are disclosed. A change in complexity of a multimedia picture relative to complexity associated with one or more multimedia pictures in a multimedia sequence is determined. A complexity associated with a multimedia picture is determined based on number of bits and an average quantization associated with the multimedia picture. A bit rate is adjusted for encoding the multimedia picture based on the change in complexity of the multimedia picture. The bit rate is increased on determining an increase in complexity of the multimedia picture and is decreased on determining a decrease in complexity of the multimedia picture. Utilization of additional bits during the increase in the bit rate and saving of bits during the decrease in the bit rate are compensated during adjusting of bit rates for encoding subsequent multimedia pictures in the multimedia sequence.

Abstract: Several methods and systems for encoding pictures associated with video data are disclosed. In an embodiment, a method includes determining by a processing module, whether a picture is to be encoded based on at least one of a skip assessment associated with the picture and an encoding status of a pre-selected number of pictures preceding the picture in an encoding sequence. The method further includes encoding by the processing module, a plurality of rows of video data associated with the picture upon determining that the picture is to be encoded, wherein the plurality of rows are encoded based on a pre-selected maximum encoded picture size.

Abstract: Several methods and systems for encoding pictures are disclosed. In an embodiment, a method comprises dividing an LCU of a picture into a plurality of MERs having size equal to or less than a predetermined size. For one or more MERs of the plurality of MERs, a number of first motion searches are performed for determining a first quad-tree based on a cost function associated with a first plurality of PUs of the one or more MERs. A number of second motion searches are performed for the LCU, for determining a second quad-tree, based on the cost function associated with a second plurality of PUs of the LCU. The first quad-tree or the second quad-tree is selected for performing encoding of the picture based on a comparison of a first cost of the first quad-tree with a second cost of the second quad-tree.

Abstract: Several methods and systems for encoding pictures associated with video data are disclosed. In an embodiment, a method includes determining by a processing module, whether a picture is to be encoded based on at least one of a skip assessment associated with the picture and an encoding status of a pre-selected number of pictures preceding the picture in an encoding sequence. The method further includes encoding by the processing module, a plurality of rows of video data associated with the picture upon determining that the picture is to be encoded, wherein the plurality of rows are encoded based on a pre-selected maximum encoded picture size.

Abstract: Method and system to improve the performance of a video encoder. The method includes processing an initial video signal in a front-end image pre-processor to obtain a processed video signal and processor information respecting the signal, providing the processed video signal and the processor information to a video encoder, and encoding the video signal in the video encoder according to the processor information to provide an encoded video signal for storage. The system includes a video pre-processor connectable to receive an initial video signal. The video encoder in communication with the video pre-processor receives a processed video signal and a processor information. A storage medium in communication with the video encoder stores an encoded video signal.

Abstract: Method and system to improve the performance of a video encoder. The method includes processing an initial video signal in a front-end image pre-processor to obtain a processed video signal and processor information respecting the signal, providing the processed video signal and the processor information to a video encoder, and encoding the video signal in the video encoder according to the processor information to provide an encoded video signal for storage. The system includes a video pre-processor connectable to receive an initial video signal. The video encoder in communication with the video pre-processor receives a processed video signal and a processor information. A storage medium in communication with the video encoder stores an encoded video signal.

Abstract: Image processing can include producing a first mosaic of an image with a first spectral pattern, assigning a context to the first mosaic, classifying the first mosaic based on the assigned context, and producing a second mosaic of the image based on the classifying. The second mosaic can have a second spectral pattern different than the first spectral pattern.

Abstract: Several methods and systems for encoding pictures associated with video data are disclosed. In an embodiment, a method includes determining by a processing module, whether a picture is to be encoded based on at least one of a skip assessment associated with the picture and an encoding status of a pre-selected number of pictures preceding the picture in an encoding sequence. The method further includes encoding by the processing module, a plurality of rows of video data associated with the picture upon determining that the picture is to be encoded, wherein the plurality of rows are encoded based on a pre-selected maximum encoded picture size.

Abstract: A method for intra-prediction estimation is provided that includes determining a best intra-prediction mode for a block of samples, wherein at least some of the neighboring samples used for intra-prediction estimation include approximate reconstructed samples, applying approximate reconstruction to the block of samples using the best intra-prediction mode to generate a block of approximate reconstructed samples, and storing the block of approximate reconstructed samples for use in intra-prediction estimation of other blocks of samples.