Survey of fast block motion estimation algorithms

Tremendous advancements in video capturing and display technologies and increased video applications in all arenas of life have raised the demand for enhancement in the field of video compression. Motion Estimation (ME) a key component in most of the video data processing based applications, has led to an ongoing research in this field. Lots of algorithms to estimate block based motion and criteria´s to find best matching block had been developed. The current work reviews the advantages, disadvantages and various issues pertaining to these algorithms. Also the factors that have their impact on accuracy and efficiency of motion estimation like block matching criteria, edge matching in blocks, correlation between the neighboring blocks, pixel sub-sampling, size of search window, size of blocks and zero motion pre-judgment have been discussed. Apart from all of these the applicability, advantages and disadvantages of various block matching criteria are reviewed and mentioned.