Abstract: A hardware encoder has a block analyzer configured in hardware to selectively alter encoding parameters of a coding unit or a coding tree unit in response to encoder conditions and an analysis of the coding unit or coding tree unit. A stream analyzer operating as a software process on one or more computational cores selectively alters encoding parameters in response to evaluation of parameters associated with a stream of video data.

Abstract: A hardware encoder has a bit estimation block to compute an estimated bit size for a Coding Tree Unit (CTU). A CTU bit size limit manager selects quantization parameters for use in quantization. The quantization parameters are selected based upon the estimated bit size to insure that the CTU in coded form will not exceed a CTU bit size limit.

Abstract: A hardware video encoder includes a first inter-picture prediction search processor to perform at least one coarse search at a designated block size. The at least one coarse search utilizes a down-sampled version of an image to determine motion vectors. A second inter-picture prediction search processor performs motion vector refinement searches on pixels of the image for multiple block sizes. Searches of at least one block size utilize the motion vectors. A third inter-picture prediction search processor performs fractional pixel motion vector refinement searches on interpolated values of the pixels of the image for multiple block sizes in parallel.

Abstract: A hardware video encoder includes an intra search block operating on a source picture to produce pairs of intra prediction mode indices and rate-distortion values for different block sizes. The pairs of intra prediction mode indices and rate-distortion values for the different block sizes are computed in parallel based upon the source picture. An inter search block produces pairs of motion vectors and rate-distortion values for different block sizes. The pairs of motion vectors and rate-distortion values for the different block sizes are computed in parallel.

Abstract: A hardware processor has a per block size intra mode processor to perform intra mode searches for best intra modes for different block sizes. A cost processor computes cost values for the different block sizes, where the cost values are based upon at least one of a simplified distortion estimate or a simplified bit rate estimate. A selective block merger processor establishes a final partition of blocks.

Abstract: A hardware processor has a per block size intra mode processor to perform intra mode searches for best intra modes for different block sizes. A cost processor computes cost values for the different block sizes, where the cost values are based upon at least one of a simplified distortion estimate or a simplified bit rate estimate. A selective block merger processor establishes a final partition of blocks.

Abstract: An intra-picture prediction processor includes a first block size calculation kernel to produce a first intra-picture prediction angle for a first block size. The first block size calculation kernel utilizes a pre-defined set of intra-picture prediction modes to identify a first stage angle. The first block size calculation kernel utilizes the first stage angle to select a set of adjacent prediction angles to identify the first intra-picture prediction angle for the first block size. A second block size calculation kernel produces a second intra-picture prediction angle for a second block size larger than the first block size. The second block size calculation kernel utilizes the first intra-picture prediction angle to select a set of adjacent angles to identify the second intra-picture prediction angle for the second block size.

Abstract: An intra-picture prediction processor includes a first stage processing block to process incoming video data to identify intermediate intra-picture prediction information including a best intra-picture prediction angle and a best intra-picture block size. A second stage processing block operating on reconstructed blocks of video data selects final intra-picture prediction information for the reconstructed blocks of video data based upon the best intra-picture prediction angle and the best intra-picture block size.

Abstract: A hardware video encoder includes an intra search block operating on a source picture to produce pairs of intra prediction mode indices and rate-distortion values for different block sizes. The pairs of intra prediction mode indices and rate-distortion values for the different block sizes are computed in parallel based upon the source picture. An inter search block produces pairs of motion vectors and rate-distortion values for different block sizes. The pairs of motion vectors and rate-distortion values for the different block sizes are computed in parallel.