Fast Mode Decision Algorithm for H.264 using Mode Classification

H.264 is a new international video coding standard that can achieve considerably higher coding efficiency than conventional standards. Its coding gain has been achieved by employing advanced video coding methods. Specially, the increased number of macroblock modes and the complex mode decision procedure using the Lagrangian optimization are the main factors for increasing coding efficiency. Although H.264 obtains improved coding efficiency, it is difficult to do an real-time encoding because it considers all coding parameters in the mode decision procedure. In this paper, we propose a fast mode decision algorithm which classifies the macroblock modes in order to determine the optimal mode having low complexity quickly. Simulation results show that the proposed algorithm can reduce the encoding time by 34.95% on average without significant PSNR degradation or bit-rate increment. In addition, in order to show the validity of simulation results, we set up a low boundary condition for coding efficiency and complexity and show that the proposed algorithm satisfies the low boundary condition.