Intra Prediction Block Size Estimation Algorithm in H.264/AVC Encoder for Mobile Smart Devices Using in Wireless Networks

Abstract

In this paper, we propose an efficient block size estimation algorithm for the Intra prediction of H.264/ AVC to reduce the encoding complexity. Firstly, the macroblock (MB) is split into 4x4 sub-blocks, and the corresponding information in them is extracted. And then, the opposite variance intensity (OVI) between the sub-block and the MB is calculated as the main judgment factor. With the statistical analysis, the Intra prediction block size is estimated by OVI, and the optimal block size of Intra prediction is selected instead of the original three mode sizes. The simulation results show that the proposed algorithm could reduce around 45% encoding time for H.264/AVC encoder, and the quality and output bitrate of the encoded video signal are significantly maintained. It could be widely used for the video coding and communication systems with the mobile devices which have limited power supply and low processing ability.