Optimal encoding of motion compensated video

An apparatus for optimizing the video encoding process for a macroblock in a block-based video encoder comprising:

• means for generating an estimated length by estimating a length of a bit stream required to encode a plurality of quantized discrete cosine transform coefficients, a plurality of motion vectors, and mode information, wherein
• the mode information is related to each of the motion vectors, and
• the quantized discrete cosine transform coefficients are based on the macroblock and the motion vectors;
• and
• means for generating a bit-rate term based on the estimated length;
• means for determining a measure of distortion based on the quantized discrete cosine transform coefficients;
• and
• means for determining a motion estimation signal based on the measure of distortion and the bit-rate term.

A computer program product for optimizing the video encoding process for a macroblock in a block-based video encoder, comprising:

• a first set of instructions, executable on a computer system, configured to generate an estimated length by estimating a length of a bit stream required to encode a plurality of quantized discrete cosine transform coefficients, a plurality of motion vectors, and mode information, wherein
• the mode information is related to each of the motion vectors, and
• the quantized discrete cosine transform coefficients are based on the macroblock and the motion vectors;
• and
• a second set of instructions, executable on the computer system, configured to generate a bit-rate term based on the estimated length;
• a third set of instructions, executable on the computer system, configured to determine a measure of distortion based on the quantized discrete cosine transform coefficients;
• a fourth set of instructions, executable on the computer system, configured to determine a motion estimation signal based on the measure of distortion and the bit-rate term;
• and
• computer readable media, wherein the computer program product is encoded in the computer readable media.

An apparatus for optimally encoding motion compensated video, comprising:

• means for generating at least one candidate motion vector;
• means for generating mode information related to each candidate motion vector;
• means for determining a quantization parameter;
• means for determining a displaced frame difference macroblock based on the macroblock and the at least one candidate motion vector;
• means for segmenting the displaced frame difference macroblock into blocks and determining a discrete cosine transform coefficient for each block;
• means for quantizing each discrete cosine transform coefficient based on the quantization parameter;
• means for estimating the length of a bit stream that would be required to encode the quantized discrete cosine transform coefficients, the motion vectors, and the mode information;
• and
• means for generating a bit-rate term based on the length of the bit stream.

A computer program product for optimally encoding motion compensated video, comprising:

• a first set of instructions, executable on a computer system, configured to generate at least one candidate motion vector;
• a second set of instructions, executable on the computer system, configured to generate mode information related to each candidate motion vector;
• a third set of instructions, executable on the computer system, configured to determine a quantization parameter;
• a fourth set of instructions, executable on the computer system, configured to determine a displaced frame difference macroblock based on the macroblock and the at least one candidate motion vector;
• a fifth set of instructions, executable on the computer system, configured to segment the displaced frame difference macroblock into blocks and determining a discrete cosine transform coefficient for each block;
• a sixth set of instructions, executable on the computer system, configured to quantize each discrete cosine transform coefficient based on the quantization parameter;
• a seventh set of instructions, executable on the computer system, configured to estimate the length of a bit stream that would be required to encode the quantized discrete cosine transform coefficients, the motion vectors, and the mode information;
• an eighth set of instructions, executable on the computer system, configured to generate a bit-rate term based on the length of the bit stream;
• and
• computer readable media, wherein the computer program product is encoded in the computer readable media.