Efficient selection of intra coding modes

摘要

Disclosed are an apparatus and method that make high-speed mode selection possible using an evaluation standard of high encoding efficiency in intra prediction. The apparatus includes a first cost calculator (104) for generating cost values from difference information indicative of differences between prediction signals, which have been generated by a prediction signal generator, and a moving picture signal that is input to a moving picture compression encoding apparatus; a preliminary selector (105) for selecting at least two prediction modes based upon the cost values and outputting these prediction modes to a second cost calculator (106); the second cost calculator (106) for frequency-converting the prediction modes that have been output from the preliminary selector (105) and generating new cost values; and a prediction mode selector (107) for selecting the optimum prediction mode based upon the cost values prevailing after the frequency conversion.