Abstract: Methods and systems for parallelized encoding of video are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a video encoder comprises a plurality of encoding engines. Each encoding engine is configured to receive a respective designated region of a video frame and produce respective quantized coefficients, the respective region having one or more unencoded frame blocks. Each encoding engine has a local symcoder for performing entropy-based encoding of the respective quantized coefficients. The video encoder has a rate control module, in communication with each encoding engine, for receiving from the respective local symcoder of each encoding engine a respective region-level bit count. The video encoder has a central buffer, in communication with each encoding engine, for receiving from each encoding engine the respective quantized coefficients.

Abstract: A motion compensation module can be used in a video encoder for encoding a video input signal that includes a sequence of images that are segmented into a plurality of macroblocks. The motion compensation module includes a motion search module that generates a motion search motion vector for a plurality of subblocks for a plurality of partitionings of a macroblock of a plurality of macroblocks and generates a selected group of the plurality of partitionings based on a group selection signal. A motion refinement module—generates a refined motion vector for the plurality of subblocks for the selected group of the plurality of partitionings of the macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks, based on the motion search motion vector for each of the plurality of subblocks of the macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks.

Abstract: A partition subset selection module selects a subset of available partitions for a macroblock pair of the plurality of macroblock pairs, based on motion search motion vectors generated by a motion search section, and further based on a macroblock adaptive frame and field indicator. A motion refinement module generates refined motion vectors for the macroblock pair, based on the subset of available partitions for a macroblock pair.

Abstract: A partition subset selection module selects a subset of available partitions for a macroblock pair of the plurality of macroblock pairs, based on motion search motion vectors generated by a motion search section, and further based on a macroblock adaptive frame and field indicator. A motion refinement module generates refined motion vectors for the macroblock pair, based on the subset of available partitions for a macroblock pair.

Abstract: A system for transcoding a video signal into a transcoded video signal, includes a high scene cost detection module that detects a high scene cost corresponding to at least one image of the video signal. An encoder section generates the transcoded video signal, wherein, when the high scene cost is detected, an enhanced quality is assigned to at least one central region.

Abstract: A motion refinement engine can be used in a video encoder for encoding a video input signal that includes a sequence of images that are segmented into a plurality of macroblocks. The motion refinement engine includes a motion search module, that generates at least one motion search motion vector for a macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks based on a first plurality of directions. A motion refinement module generates at least one refined motion vector for the macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks, based on a second plurality of directions, wherein the second plurality of directions differ from the first plurality of directions. In a further embodiment, motion search, motion refinement, and motion compensation are selectively performed in a single pass.

Abstract: A motion compensation module can be used in a video encoder for encoding a video input signal that includes a sequence of images that are segmented into a plurality of macroblocks. The motion compensation module includes a shared memory and a motion search module that generates a motion search motion vector for a plurality of subblocks for a plurality of partitionings of a macroblock of a plurality of macroblocks and generates a selected group of the plurality of partitionings and stores the selected group of partitionings and the corresponding motion search motion vectors in the shared memory.

Abstract: A system for transcoding a video signal into a transcoded video signal includes a drastic scene change detection module that detects a drastic scene change in a sequence of images, wherein the drastic scene change indicates a change in scene complexity. A transcoder section generates the transcoded video signal, wherein, when the drastic scene change is detected, a quality parameter is adjusted in at least one of the sequence of images.

Abstract: A partition subset selection module selects a subset of available partitions for a macroblock pair of the plurality of macroblock pairs, based on motion search motion vectors generated by a motion search section, and further based on a macroblock adaptive frame and field indicator. A motion refinement module generates refined motion vectors for the macroblock pair, based on the subset of available partitions for a macroblock pair.

Abstract: A partition subset selection module selects a subset of available partitions for a macroblock pair of the plurality of macroblock pairs, based on motion search motion vectors generated by a motion search section, and further based on a macroblock adaptive frame and field indicator. A motion refinement module generates refined motion vectors for the macroblock pair, based on the subset of available partitions for a macroblock pair.

Abstract: A motion compensation module can be used in a video encoder for encoding a video input signal that includes a sequence of images that are segmented into a plurality of macroblocks. The motion compensation module includes a motion search module, that generates a motion search motion vector for a plurality of subblocks for a plurality of partitionings of a macroblock of a plurality of macroblocks. A motion refinement module generates a refined motion vector for the plurality of subblocks for the plurality of partitionings of the macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks, based on the motion search motion vector for each of the plurality of subblocks of the macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks.

Abstract: A motion compensation module can be used in a video encoder for encoding a video input signal that includes a sequence of images are segmented into a plurality of macroblocks. The motion compensation module includes a motion search module, that generates a motion search motion vector for a plurality of subblocks for a plurality of partitionings of a macroblock of a plurality of macroblocks. A motion refinement module generates a refined motion vector for the plurality of subblocks for the plurality of partitionings of the macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks, based on the motion search motion vector for each of the plurality of subblocks of the macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks. The motion refinement module can operate in a plurality of selected modes including a first mode corresponding to a first sub-pixel resolution and a second mode corresponding to a second sub-pixel resolution.

Abstract: A motion compensation module can be used in a video encoder for encoding a video input signal that includes a sequence of images that are segmented into a plurality of macroblocks. The motion compensation module includes a motion search module, that generates a motion search motion vector for a plurality of subblocks for a plurality of partitionings of a macroblock of a plurality of macroblocks based on a sum of accumulated differences (SAD) cost. A motion refinement module, when enabled, generates a refined motion vector for the plurality of subblocks for the plurality of partitionings of the macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks, based on the motion search motion vector for each of the plurality of subblocks of the macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks and based on a sum of accumulated transform differences (SATD) cost. A mode decision module operates on either SAD costs or SATD costs, based on whether the refinement module is enabled or disabled.

Abstract: A partition subset selection module selects a subset of available partitions for a macroblock pair of the plurality of macroblock pairs, based on motion search motion vectors generated by a motion search section, and further based on a macroblock adaptive frame and field indicator. A motion refinement module generates refined motion vectors for the macroblock pair, based on the subset of available partitions for a macroblock pair.

Abstract: A system for transcoding a video signal into a transcoded video signal, includes a high scene cost detection module that detects a high scene cost corresponding to at least one image of the video signal. An encoder section generates the transcoded video signal, wherein, when the high scene cost is detected, an enhanced quality is assigned to at least one central region.

Abstract: A system for transcoding a video signal into a transcoded video signal includes a drastic scene change detection module that detects a drastic scene change in a sequence of images, wherein the drastic scene change indicates a change in scene complexity. A transcoder section generates the transcoded video signal, wherein, when the drastic scene change is detected, a quality parameter is adjusted in at least one of the sequence of images.

Abstract: A motion refinement engine can be used in a video encoder for encoding a video input signal that includes a sequence of images that are segmented into a plurality of macroblocks. The motion refinement engine includes a motion search module, that generates at least one motion search motion vector for a macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks based on a first plurality of directions. A motion refinement module generates at least one refined motion vector for the macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks, based on a second plurality of directions, wherein the second plurality of directions differ from the first plurality of directions. In a further embodiment, motion search, motion refinement, and motion compensation are selectively performed in a single pass.

Abstract: A motion compensation module can be used in a video encoder for encoding a video input signal that includes a sequence of images that are segmented into a plurality of macroblocks. The motion compensation module includes a motion search module that generates a motion search motion vector for a plurality of subblocks for a plurality of partitionings of a macroblock of a plurality of macroblocks and generates a selected group of the plurality of partitionings based on a group selection signal. A motion refinement module—generates a refined motion vector for the plurality of subblocks for the selected group of the plurality of partitionings of the macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks, based on the motion search motion vector for each of the plurality of subblocks of the macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks.

Abstract: A motion compensation module can be used in a video encoder for encoding a video input signal that includes a sequence of images that are segmented into a plurality of macroblocks. The motion compensation module includes a shared memory and a motion search module that generates a motion search motion vector for a plurality of subblocks for a plurality of partitionings of a macroblock of a plurality of macroblocks and generates a selected group of the plurality of partitionings and stores the selected group of partitionings and the corresponding motion search motion vectors in the shared memory.

Abstract: A motion compensation module can be used in a video encoder for encoding a video input signal that includes a sequence of images that are segmented into a plurality of macroblocks. The motion compensation module includes a motion search module, that generates a motion search motion vector for a plurality of subblocks for a plurality of partitionings of a macroblock of a plurality of macroblocks. A motion refinement module generates a refined motion vector for the plurality of subblocks for the plurality of partitionings of the macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks, based on the motion search motion vector for each of the plurality of subblocks of the macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks.