Dual-pass HDTV encoder with noise reduction

Abstract

An exemplary embodiment of an apparatus (10) for encoding a high definition television signal includes an image decimator and cropper (11) to convert the high definition television signal to a lower resolution television signal and two encoders (12, 16). The first video encoder (12) is coupled to the image decimator and cropper (11) and generates motion vectors and statistics for look ahead rate control and statistical multiplexing related to the converted high definition television signal. The second video encoder (15) receives the generated statistics, receives the filtered high definition video signal and to encodes the high definition video signal using the generated statistics. A buffer (14) receives the filtered high definition television signal and stores the filtered high definition television signal for subsequent use. Another buffer (16) is coupled to the first encoder (12) to receive the generated statistics and to store the generated statistics for subsequent use. A filter (13) is coupled to the first encoder (12) and receives the high definition television signal, receives the generated motion vectors and performs motion compensated temporal filtering of the received high definition television signal using the received generated motion vectors. An exemplary embodiment of a method (20) for encoding a high definition video signal first converts (21) the high definition video signal to a lower resolution video signal prior to encoding. Next, motion vectors are generated (22) from the lower resolution video signal. The high definition video signal is filtered (23) with a motion compensated temporal filter using the generated motion vectors. Also, statistics for look ahead rate control and statistical multiplexing regarding the lower resolution video signal are generated (25) by a first encoder and used when encoding (27) the filtered high definition video signal.

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