Abstract: Multiple reference frame motion estimation for video frame blocks is provided. A plurality of copies of a block list of a reference frame can be loaded into texture memory. Encoding of video blocks of the video frame can be ordered to allow concurrent encoding of the video blocks. Furthermore, motion vector prediction can be performed concurrently for independent video blocks, the motion vectors can be related to each one of the plurality of copies of the block list of the reference frame and determined for the at least a portion of the plurality of blocks ordered for concurrent encoding. Additionally, a fast motion estimation algorithm can be concurrently performed on a number of video blocks to search surrounding blocks and compute motion vectors. Further, concurrent processing of multiple slices can be performed. Such concurrent processes can leverage the parallel architecture of at least one graphical processing unit.

Abstract: Block parallel fast motion estimation for blocks of a video frame is provided where encoding of video blocks can be ordered to allow concurrent encoding thereof. Furthermore, motion vector prediction can be performed concurrently for independent video blocks where requisite blocks for calculating the prediction of a given block can be previously encoded, but not all blocks depend from each other; thus, parallel motion vector estimation is possible. Additionally, a fast motion estimation algorithm can be concurrently performed on a number of video blocks to search surrounding blocks to compute motion vectors as well. The concurrent processes can leverage the parallel architecture of one or more graphical processing units (GPU).

Abstract: GPU-based intra frame processing techniques are provided to selectively offload computation loading from a CPU to a GPU. By rearranging the 4×4 block encoding order, the process can benefit from a parallel processing mechanism available on the GPU. Block list size has an effect on speed and by using the optimal block list size for a selection, up to about two times speed improvement in intra frame processing can be achieved.