Fast intra prediction mode decision for H.264/AVC video coding

Abstract

Intra coding is used for reducing the spatial redundancy in video coding. H.264 supports several macroblocks of predictions for intra coding such as luma block four 16×16 modes, nine 4×4 modes and chroma block four modes, which significantly improve intra coding efficiency, but increase the encoding complexity. In order to select the best mode, we need to calculate the cost of the various modes. In this paper, a fast intra prediction mode decision for H.264/AVC video coding is proposed. Based on Laplacian, this intra prediction mode decision detects edges and selects the best mode for the block. This mode decision can shorten the time to reduce the encoding time. The experimental results show that the proposed algorithm achieves an encoding time saving of 70% on average.