Still picture and moving picture encoding method and apparatus

摘要

Disclosed is a picture encoding apparatus in which, in the encoding rich in predictive modes, the volume of codes generated may be estimated highly accurately prior to encoding, and in which the encoding processing in the encoding means and step may be carried out under optimum control of, for example, the picture quality, compression ration or the rate. An encoder 12 applies encoding processing, rich in predictive modes, such as MPEG4 AVC, having orthogonal cosine transform, as a main function, to an input picture signal VIN (picture being encoded) from an input terminal 11. A predictor for the volume of codes generated 18 predicts the volume of codes generated BIT(N) in the encoder 12, based on the prediction residues obtained on applying the intra-frame and inter-frame predictive processing to the input picture signal VIN. The encoding controller 19 uses the volume of codes generated BIT(N), predicted by the predictor for the volume of codes generated 18, for controlling the encoding in the encoder 12.