Direct mode module with motion flag precoding and methods for use therewith

A direct mode module for use in a video encoder that encodes, into a processed video signal, a video input signal including a sequence of pictures, the direct mode module comprising:

• a motion flag generation module that generates a motion flag for at least one of the plurality of macroblocks of a first picture of the sequence of pictures based on a corresponding macroblock of a plurality of macroblocks of a second picture of the sequence of pictures;
• a direct mode motion vector module that evaluates a direct mode motion vector for the corresponding macroblock of the second picture, based on the motion flag for the at least one of the plurality of macroblocks of the first picture.

A method for use in a video encoder that encodes, into a processed video signal, a video input signal including a sequence of pictures, the motion compensation module comprising:

• generating a motion flag for at least one of the plurality of macroblocks of a first picture of the sequence of pictures based on a corresponding macroblock of a plurality of macroblocks of a second picture of the sequence of pictures;
• evaluating a direct mode motion vector for the corresponding macroblock of the second picture, based on the motion flag for the at least one of the plurality of macroblocks of the first picture.