High quality, low memory bandwidth motion estimation processor

A method to estimate motion, comprising the steps of:

• (A) copying a plurality of first reference samples of a first reference image from an external memory to a first circuit, said first reference samples being proximate a first position within said first reference image;
• (B) generating a first motion vector corresponding to a first current block of a current image by searching among said first reference samples using said first circuit;
• (C) copying a plurality of second reference samples of said first reference image from said external memory to a second circuit, said second reference samples being (i) proximate a second position within said first reference image and (ii) non-adjacent said first reference samples;
• (D) generating a second motion vector corresponding to said first current block by searching among said second reference samples using said second circuit;
• and
• (E) presenting said first motion vector and said second motion vector in a plurality of respective signals.