Abstract: A method and apparatus for digitally encoding video image data, which is particularly suited for encoding Internet Web pages, eliminates the need for performing time consuming, computationally intensive motion vector searches by taking advantage of prior knowledge regarding the Web page movement. In a first preferred embodiment, a digital video encoder, such as an MPEG encoder, employs Web page scrolling coordinates obtained from a browser application to determine, through calculation instead of searching, motion estimation for all the macroblocks of the present image frame relative to the previous frame. In a second preferred embodiment, the encoder receives information from the browser application that indicates that certain portions of an image, such as a Web page animation window, are continuously changing, and thus should be encoded as an intra fame.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for digitally encoding video image data, which is particularly suited for encoding Internet Web pages, eliminates the need for performing time consuming, computationally intensive motion vector searches by taking advantage of prior knowledge regarding the Web page movement. In a first preferred embodiment, a digital video encoder, such as an MPEG encoder, employs Web page scrolling coordinates obtained from a browser application to determine, through calculation instead of searching, motion estimation for all the macroblocks of the present image frame relative to the previous frame. In a second preferred embodiment, the encoder receives information from the browser application that indicates that certain portions of an image, such as a Web page animation window, are continuously changing, and thus should be encoded as an intra frame.