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: According to an aspect of the present disclosure, 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: 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: 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: 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 neighboring blocks with the intermediate size are tested for combining. If the set of neighboring blocks are determined to be combinable, the video encoder selects a larger block size formed by the tested neighboring blocks for encoding. On the other hand, if the set of neighboring blocks are determined to be not combinable, the video encoder selects a smaller block size from the set of tested neighboring blocks for prediction. According to another aspect, 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 neighboring modes of at least one intermediate mode.

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: A method includes receiving, at a device, a plurality of image frames corresponding to a video stream. The plurality of image frames include a first image frame having a first resolution and a second image frame having a second resolution that is lower than the first resolution. The method also includes detecting, at the device, a trigger by analyzing the second image frame. The method further includes designating, at the device, the first image frame as an action frame based on the trigger.

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: 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: 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: According to an aspect of the present disclosure, 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: 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: A video encoder comprises a loop filter to filter luminance and chrominance pixel values, first and second loop filter working buffers accessible to the loop filter, and ping and pong loop filter data buffers accessible to the loop filter and to a direct memory access (DMA) engine. The loop filter filters pixels about a plurality of vertical edges and a plurality of horizontal edges for each macroblock in a video frame. The loop filter distributes partially filtered luma and chrominance pixel values across the first and second loop filter working buffers as well as the ping and pong loop filter data buffers, and does not save partially filtered luma and chrominance pixel values to external memory via the DMA engine.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for a video encoder for selecting a block of intermediate size from a set of block sizes for intra-prediction estimation for encoding a video signal. A set of neighboring blocks with the intermediate size are tested for combining. If the set of neighboring blocks are determined to be combinable, the video encoder selects a larger block size formed by the tested neighboring blocks for encoding. On the other hand, if the set of neighboring blocks are determined to be not combinable, the video encoder selects a smaller block size from the set of tested neighboring blocks for prediction. Furthermore, 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 neighboring modes of at least one intermediate mode.

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: 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 includes a buffer, a DMA engine, a motion estimator and a motion compensator. The buffer includes four pages where macroblocks are stored. The motion estimator generates a motion vector for a given macroblock. The motion compensator applies the motion vectors generated by the motion estimator to a previously encoded frame. Each of the four pages is concurrently accessed by one of the motion estimator, the motion compensator, and a channel of the DMA engine. Simultaneously the motion compensator accesses one page of the buffer containing a first set of macroblocks, the motion estimator accesses a second page of the buffer containing a second set of macroblocks, a first DMA engine channel writes a different set of macroblocks to a third page of the buffer and a second DMA engine channel writes another set of macroblocks to a fourth page of the buffer.

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 includes receiving, at a device, a plurality of image frames corresponding to a video stream. The plurality of image frames include a first image frame having a first resolution and a second image frame having a second resolution that is lower than the first resolution. The method also includes detecting, at the device, a trigger by analyzing the second image frame. The method further includes designating, at the device, the first image frame as an action frame based on the trigger.