Computation-performance control for DCT-based video coding

In this paper, we propose a flexible framework for DCT-based video encoding that yields very good computation performance tradeoffs. Each of the encoding components features a set of parameters that can be used to control its computational complexity and performance. A sequence of optimum parameter sets have been designed to obtain encoders with varying degrees of computational complexity. A computation control mechanism is proposed within the encoding framework to allow the encoding algorithm to adapt to the available computational resources. This will allow the encoder to run in real time on machines with different computing power levels, while also achieving the best possible reproduction quality. The proposed framework was applied to MPEG-2 and H.263 encoding. Our experimental results show that excellent speed-performance tradeoffs as well as accurate computation control can be obtained using the proposed method