One-pass frame level budget allocation in video coding using inter-frame dependency

Abstract

In this paper, a one-pass budget allocation algorithm is proposed for hybrid video coding. Taking the percentage of skipped MBs as the measure of inter-frame dependency, the optimal budget allocation is first modeled for a two-frame case. Then this model is extended to a practical method in slow movement scenario, where the information of inter-frame dependency is predicted based on the previously coded frames. Simulations show that the proposed algorithm outperforms the recommended MB and frame level rate control algorithms in H.264/AVC reference software JM 15.1. For eight CIF sequences with slow movement, significant gains of 0.91 dB and 0.43 dB on average (1.66 dB and 1.49 dB at maximum) were obtained over the reference MB and frame level rate control, respectively. Considering that the computational complexity by the proposed algorithm is quite low (less than 1% of the total coding time when fast motion estimation algorithm is enabled), it is quite appealing for real-time video applications.