Abstract: According to an aspect, a video encoder selects a block of intermediate size from a set of block sizes for intra-prediction estimation for encoding a video signal. A set of neighboring blocks with the intermediate size are tested for combining. If the set of neighboring blocks are determined to be combinable, the video encoder selects a larger block size formed by the tested neighboring blocks for encoding. On the other hand, if the set of neighboring blocks are determined to be not combinable, the video encoder selects a smaller block size from the set of tested neighboring blocks for prediction. According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the best mode for intra-prediction is determined by first intra-predicting a block with intermediate modes in a set of modes. Then the intra-predictions are performed for the neighboring modes of at least one intermediate mode.

Abstract: A method comprises dividing a largest coding unit (LCU) of a picture into a plurality of motion estimation regions (MERs) having size equal to or less than a predetermined size. For one or more MERs of the plurality of MERs, a number of first motion searches are performed for determining a first quad-tree based on a cost function associated with a first plurality of prediction units (PUs) of the one or more MERs. A number of second motion searches are performed for the LCU, for determining a second quad-tree, based on the cost function associated with a second plurality of PUs of the LCU. The first quad-tree or the second quad-tree is selected for performing encoding of the picture based on a comparison of a first cost of the first quad-tree with a second cost of the second quad-tree.

Abstract: A method for intra-prediction estimation is provided that includes determining a best intra-prediction mode for a block of samples, wherein at least some of the neighboring samples used for intra-prediction estimation include approximate reconstructed samples, applying approximate reconstruction to the block of samples using the best intra-prediction mode to generate a block of approximate reconstructed samples, and storing the block of approximate reconstructed samples for use in intra-prediction estimation of other blocks of samples.

Abstract: Method and system to improve the performance of a video encoder. The method includes processing an initial video signal in a front-end image pre-processor to obtain a processed video signal and processor information respecting the signal, providing the processed video signal and the processor information to a video encoder, and encoding the video signal in the video encoder according to the processor information to provide an encoded video signal for storage. The system includes a video pre-processor connectable to receive an initial video signal. The video encoder in communication with the video pre-processor receives a processed video signal and a processor information. A storage medium in communication with the video encoder stores an encoded video signal.

Abstract: A video encoder including a first buffer containing a plurality of data values defining a macroblock of pixels of a video frame. The video encoder also includes a second buffer and an entropy encoder coupled to the first and second buffers and configured to encode a macroblock based on another macroblock. The entropy encoder identifies a subset of the data values from the first buffer defining a given macroblock and copies the identified subset to the second buffer, the subset of data values being just those data values used by the entropy encoder when subsequently encoding another macroblock.

Abstract: According to an aspect, a video encoder selects a block of intermediate size from a set of block sizes for intra-prediction estimation for encoding a video signal. A set of neighboring blocks with the intermediate size are tested for combining. If the set of neighboring blocks are determined to be combinable, the video encoder selects a larger block size formed by the tested neighboring blocks for encoding. On the other hand, if the set of neighboring blocks are determined to be not combinable, the video encoder selects a smaller block size from the set of tested neighboring blocks for prediction. According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the best mode for intra-prediction is determined by first intra-predicting a block with intermediate modes in a set of modes. Then the intra-predictions are performed for the neighboring modes of at least one intermediate mode.

Abstract: A video encoder including a first buffer containing a plurality of data values defining a macroblock of pixels of a video frame. The video encoder also includes a second buffer and an entropy encoder coupled to the first and second buffers and configured to encode a macroblock based on another macroblock. The entropy encoder identifies a subset of the data values from the first buffer defining a given macroblock and copies the identified subset to the second buffer, the subset of data values being just those data values used by the entropy encoder when subsequently encoding another macroblock.

Abstract: According to an aspect, a video encoder selects a block of intermediate size from a set of block sizes for intra-prediction estimation for encoding a video signal. A set of neighbouring blocks with the intermediate size are tested for combining. If the set of neighbouring blocks are determined to be combinable, the video encoder selects a larger block size formed by the tested neighbouring blocks for encoding. On the other hand, if the set of neighbouring blocks are determined to be not combinable, the video encoder selects a smaller block size from the set of tested neighbouring blocks for prediction. According to another aspect, the best mode for intra-prediction is determined by first intra-predicting a block with intermediate modes in a set of modes. Then the intra-predictions are performed for the neighbouring modes of at least one intermediate mode.

Abstract: Techniques and systems are provided for light estimation. In some examples, a system receives a plurality of frames associated with a scene. The plurality of frames includes a first frame and a second frame occurring after the first frame. The system determines, based on image data of the first frame, a first light estimate associated with the scene. The system also determines, based on image data of the second frame, a second light estimate associated with the scene. The system further generates an aggregate light estimate associated with the scene based on combining the second light estimate with at least the first light estimate.

Abstract: Techniques and systems are provided for determining one or more camera settings. For example, an indication of a selection of an image quality metric for adjustment can be received, and a target image quality metric value for the selected image quality metric can be determined. A data point can be determined from a plurality of data points. The data point corresponds to a camera setting having an image quality metric value closest to the target image quality metric value.

Abstract: A video encoder receives a minimum number of bits (MIN) and a maximum number of bits (MAX) to be used to encode a segment of a sequence of image frames, the segment including a set of pictures contained in the sequence of image frames. The video encoder encodes the set of pictures using a total number of bits greater than the minimum number of bits (MIN), and not exceeding the maximum number of bits (MAX). Thus, the transmission bit-rate of the video encoder can be constrained to lie within a maximum and minimum rate. In an embodiment, the constraints are enforced over relatively short time intervals.

Abstract: Systems and techniques are described for data encoding using a machine learning approach to generate a distortion prediction {circumflex over (D)} and a predicted bit rate {circumflex over (R)}, and to use {circumflex over (D)} and {circumflex over (R)} to perform rate-distortion optimization (RDO). For example, a video encoder can generate the distortion prediction {circumflex over (D)} and the bit rate residual prediction based on outputs of the one or more neural networks in response to the one or more neural networks receiving a residual portion of a block of a video frame as input. The video encoder can determine bit rate metadata prediction based on metadata associated with a mode of compression, and determine {circumflex over (R)} to be the sum of and . The video encoder can determine a rate-distortion cost prediction ? as a function of {circumflex over (D)} and {circumflex over (R)}, and can determine a prediction mode for compressing the block based on ?.

Abstract: A video encoder receives a minimum number of bits (MIN) and a maximum number of bits (MAX) to be used to encode a segment of a sequence of image frames, the segment including a set of pictures contained in the sequence of image frames. The video encoder encodes the set of pictures using a total number of bits greater than the minimum number of bits (MIN), and not exceeding the maximum number of bits (MAX). Thus, the transmission bit-rate of the video encoder can be constrained to lie within a maximum and minimum rate. In an embodiment, the constraints are enforced over relatively short time intervals.

Abstract: Systems and techniques are described for data encoding using a machine learning approach to generate a distortion prediction {circumflex over (D)} and a predicted bit rate {circumflex over (R)}, and to use {circumflex over (D)} and {circumflex over (R)} to perform rate-distortion optimization (RDO). For example, a video encoder can generate the distortion prediction {circumflex over (D)} and the bit rate residual prediction based on outputs of the one or more neural networks in response to the one or more neural networks receiving a residual portion of a block of a video frame as input. The video encoder can determine bit rate metadata prediction based on metadata associated with a mode of compression, and determine {circumflex over (R)} to be the sum of and . The video encoder can determine a rate-distortion cost prediction ? as a function of {circumflex over (D)} and {circumflex over (R)}, and can determine a prediction mode for compressing the block based on ?.

Abstract: Techniques and systems are provided for light estimation. In some examples, a system receives a plurality of frames associated with a scene. The plurality of frames includes a first frame and a second frame occurring after the first frame. The system determines, based on image data of the first frame, a first light estimate associated with the scene. The system also determines, based on image data of the second frame, a second light estimate associated with the scene. The system further generates an aggregate light estimate associated with the scene based on combining the second light estimate with at least the first light estimate.

Abstract: A method for intra-prediction estimation is provided that includes determining a best intra-prediction mode for a block of samples, wherein at least some of the neighboring samples used for intra-prediction estimation include approximate reconstructed samples, applying approximate reconstruction to the block of samples using the best intra-prediction mode to generate a block of approximate reconstructed samples, and storing the block of approximate reconstructed samples for use in intra-prediction estimation of other blocks of samples.

Abstract: A method for intra-prediction estimation is provided that includes determining a best intra-prediction mode for a block of samples, wherein at least some of the neighboring samples used for intra-prediction estimation include approximate reconstructed samples, applying approximate reconstruction to the block of samples using the best intra-prediction mode to generate a block of approximate reconstructed samples, and storing the block of approximate reconstructed samples for use in intra-prediction estimation of other blocks of samples.

Abstract: A method and system for bit rate control during encoding of multimedia data are disclosed. A change in complexity of a multimedia picture relative to complexity associated with one or more multimedia pictures in a multimedia sequence is determined. A complexity associated with a multimedia picture is determined based on number of bits and an average quantization associated with the multimedia picture. A bit rate is adjusted for encoding the multimedia picture based on the change in complexity of the multimedia picture. The bit rate is increased on determining an increase in complexity of the multimedia picture and is decreased on determining a decrease in complexity of the multimedia picture. Utilization of additional bits during the increase in the bit rate and saving of bits during the decrease in the bit rate are compensated during adjusting of bit rates for encoding subsequent multimedia pictures in the multimedia sequence.

Abstract: Method and system to improve the performance of a video encoder. The method includes processing an initial video signal in a front-end image pre-processor to obtain a processed video signal and processor information respecting the signal, providing the processed video signal and the processor information to a video encoder, and encoding the video signal in the video encoder according to the processor information to provide an encoded video signal for storage. The system includes a video pre-processor connectable to receive an initial video signal. The video encoder in communication with the video pre-processor receives a processed video signal and a processor information. A storage medium in communication with the video encoder stores an encoded video signal.

Abstract: A method and system for bit rate control during encoding of multimedia data are disclosed. A change in complexity of a multimedia picture relative to complexity associated with one or more multimedia pictures in a multimedia sequence is determined. A complexity associated with a multimedia picture is determined based on number of bits and an average quantization associated with the multimedia picture. A bit rate is adjusted for encoding the multimedia picture based on the change in complexity of the multimedia picture. The bit rate is increased on determining an increase in complexity of the multimedia picture and is decreased on determining a decrease in complexity of the multimedia picture. Utilization of additional bits during the increase in the bit rate and saving of bits during the decrease in the bit rate are compensated during adjusting of bit rates for encoding subsequent multimedia pictures in the multimedia sequence.