Characterizing rate distortion region for video coding from first principles

In this paper, we develop a simple, yet, fundamental characterization of rate-distortion region in video coding based on information-theoretic first principles. Using conditional motion estimation as a framework, a closed-form expression for rate-distortion region is derived. This framework offers an elegant means to analyze the rate-distortion trade-offs. The concept of conditional motion estimation involves classifying image regions into active and inactive regions based on the amount of motion activity. By appropriately modeling the residuals corresponding to active and inactive regions after motion compensation, a rate-distortion function is derived in terms of motion activity and spatio-temporal correlation that commonly exist in video content.