VIDEO CODING WITH LARGE MACROBLOCKS

摘要

Techniques are described for encoding and decoding digital video data using macroblocks that are larger than the macroblocks prescribed by conventional video encoding and decoding standards. For example, the techniques include encoding and decoding a video stream using macroblocks comprising greater than 16x16 pixels, for example, 64x64 pixels. In one example, an apparatus includes a video encoder configured to receive a video coding unit, determine a first rate-distortion metric for encoding the video coding unit using first video blocks with sizes of 16x16 pixels, determine a second rate-distortion metric for encoding the video coding unit using second video blocks with sizes of more than 16x16 pixels, encode the video coding unit using the first video blocks when the first rate-distortion metric is less than second rate-distortion metric, and encode the video coding unit using the second video blocks when the second rate-distortion metric is less than the first rate-distortion metric.