Motion estimation and inter-mode prediction

摘要

An inter-mode for encoding a video macroblock is selected based on a comparison of at least two rate-distortion values associated with inter-modes. The number of potential inter-modes for encoding the video macroblock is initially reduced based on the rate-distortion calculation of the SKIP mode between the current macroblock and the collocated macroblock (corresponding to a 0,0 motion vector). Motion estimation is performed on the remaining inter-modes to identify reference blocks and motion vectors. The number of calculations performed in identifying the reference blocks and motion vectors is potentially reduced because associations between inter-modes are recognized and leveraged.