Fast Mode Decision With Early Termination For H.264/AVC Video Coding

In this paper a fast mode decision algorithm based on an early termination procedure is proposed for H.264/AVC video encoding. Unlike previous methods, the termination decision is based on the rate distortion cost function. A statistical analysis of the spatio-temporal characteristics of the rate distortion cost function and of the probability of mode transition is given for test sequences. Experimental results show that the new algorithm provides a 38% reduction in total computational complexity with a negligible increase in the bit rate and negligible reduction in visual quality when compared to conventional encoding.