Abstract: The DVD standard, with which a very good quality is required all along the recording step, allows for variable bit rate transmission of data, according to which more bits are spent when the pictures are more complex. As the encoded sequence must fit into a fixed bit budget, the invention relates to an encoding method in which, thanks a first analysis step, corrective modifications of the quantization step of the encoding process are carried out at regular intervals during a second control step. These changes are made regarding the state of a reserve of bits, periodically computed and updated, but preferably only when said reserve reaches critical values, and in order to maintain said reserve at a value as close to 0 as possible.

Abstract: The DVD standard, with which a very good quality is required all along the recording step, allows for variable bit rate transmission of data, according to which more bits are spent when the pictures are more complex. As the encoded sequence must fit into a fixed bit budget, the invention relates to an encoding method in which, thanks a first analysis step, corrective modifications of the quantization step of the encoding process are carried out at regular intervals during a second control step. These changes are made regarding the state of a reserve of bits, periodically computed and updated, but preferably only when said reserve reaches critical values, and in order to maintain said reserve at a value as close to 0 as possible.