Fast Inter Mode Decision Algorithm for H.264/AVC

A novel inter mode decision algorithm is proposed. Three methods are adopted in order to improve coding efficiency. Firstly, early skip mode decision. Secondly, the candidate modes can be decided based on the cost of motion estimation (J_motion) and the cost of mode decision (J_mode). Thirdly, fast intra mode decision algorithm is proposed. Some unnecessary computation of motion estimation (ME) and RDO are omitted in the new algorithm. Thus, the encoding time is reduced drastically with neglected loss of image quality. Through the experimental result and analysis, this paper makes a thorough analysis of the correlation between motion cost and mode selection cost. As a result, a reliable screening method of large mode is proposed.