An adaptive fast intra mode decision in HEVC

Compared with H.264/AVC, the emerging video coding standard, High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC), introduces a lots of intra prediction modes in intra coding, which brings a real challenge in practice. Although the Rough Mode Decision (RMD) scheme in HEVC provides a fast mode decision, it is a fixed strategy for different blocks with the same size and does not consider their different characteristics. In this paper, we analyze the relation between a block´s texture characteristics and its best coding mode. Based on the analysis, we further develop an adaptive strategy for fast mode decision in intra coding for HEVC. Experimental results show significant computational saving in All-Intra High Efficiency and All-Intra Low Complexity test conditions compared to the default HM-4.0 with a marginal BD-rate increase.