Abstract: A method for generating candidate encoding modes for an extended-channel video data subset of a stereo video data set includes the steps of: generating, for each macroblock of each frame of the extended-channel video data subset, a forward time difference image feature parameter set with reference to pixel values of pixels of the macroblock and a corresponding macroblock of a corresponding preceding frame; generating, for each macroblock, a plurality of first output values that respectively correspond to a plurality of predetermined possible block partition sizes with reference to the forward time difference image feature parameter set; and selecting, for each macroblock, a first number of candidate block partition sizes from the possible block partition sizes based on the first output values The candidate encoding modes include combinations of the first number of candidate block partition sizes and at least a part of a plurality of predetermined possible block estimation directions.