Image encoding based on velocity channel

An encoder for encoding images, the encoder comprising a processor configured to:

• obtain colour data of colour channels of a given image and velocity data of a velocity channel of the given image, wherein the colour data and the velocity data respectively comprise colour values and velocity vectors of pixels of the given image;
• identify a plurality of groups of neighbouring pixels in the given image, wherein pixels of a given group have at least one of:
• velocity vectors that lie within a predefined threshold angle from each other, and/or velocity vectors whose magnitude lie within a predefined threshold value from each other;
• divide the colour data and the velocity data of the given image into their own respective blocks, based on the identified plurality of groups;
• and
• encode the blocks into encoded data;
• wherein the colour data and the velocity data of the given image are divided into their own respective blocks in a hierarchical manner, based on at least one of:
• a dynamic range of the colour values or the velocity vectors represented in the blocks, and/or
• a manner in which the colour values or the velocity vectors change in the blocks,
• and wherein when dividing, the processor is configured to:
• initially divide the colour data and the velocity data into respective blocks at a same level of division depth;
• and
• further divide at least one block of the colour data into smaller blocks, based on a dynamic range of colour values in the at least one block of the colour data.