Dual stage intra-prediction video encoding system and method

A multi-stage encoding type system comprising:

• a first stage for performing an inter-prediction related search, determining inter-prediction costs and deciding on inter-prediction type encoding or intra-prediction type encoding;
• a second stage for performing an intra-prediction related search, determining intra-prediction costs and performing a transform based upon said deciding on inter-prediction type encoding or intra-prediction type encoding;
• and
• wherein said intra-prediction costs are communicated from said second stage to said first stage for utilization in said deciding on inter-prediction type encoding or intra-prediction type encoding, wherein programming selection of an intra/inter (I/P) decision point is associated with complexity of a cost determination and wherein there are three prediction mode levels including an early prediction mode level, an intermediate prediction mode level and a late prediction mode level, wherein said first stage and said second stage receive a video stream, and said deciding on inter-prediction type encoding or intra-prediction type encoding includes:
• receiving an indication of a prediction mode level;
• processing valid macroblock modes including computing first level encoding costs;
• determining if said received indication of said prediction mode level is a first level prediction mode indication;
• deciding to perform I-type encoding or P-type encoding of said macroblock based upon said first level encoding costs if said received indication of said prediction mode level is a first prediction mode level indication;
• processing a partial subset of said valid macroblock modes including computing second level encoding costs;
• determining if a said received indication of said prediction mode level is a second prediction mode level indication;
• and
• deciding to perform I-type encoding or P-type encoding of said macroblock based upon said second level encoding costs if said received indication of said prediction mode level is a second prediction mode level indication.

A multi-level prediction mode encoding type decision method comprising:

• receiving an indication of a prediction mode level;
• determining a type of encoding in accordance with said prediction mode level, including:
• performing an inter-prediction related search in a first stage, determining inter-prediction costs and deciding on inter-prediction type encoding or intra-prediction type encoding;
• performing an intra-prediction related search including a second stage, determining intra-prediction costs and performing a transform based upon said deciding on inter-prediction type encoding or intra-prediction type encoding;
• and
• wherein said intra-prediction costs are communicated from said second stage to said first stage for utilization in said deciding on inter-prediction type encoding or intra-prediction type encoding, wherein programming selection of an intra/inter (I/P) decision point is associated with complexity of a cost determination and wherein there are three prediction mode levels including an early prediction mode level, an intermediate prediction mode level and a late prediction mode level, wherein said first stage and said second stage receive a video stream, and said deciding on inter-prediction type encoding or intra-prediction type encoding includes:
• receiving an indication of a prediction mode level;
• processing valid macroblock modes including computing first level encoding costs;
• determining if said received indication of said prediction mode level is a first level prediction mode indication;
• deciding to perform I-type encoding or P-type encoding of said macroblock based upon said first level encoding costs if said received indication of said prediction mode level is a first prediction mode level indication;
• processing a partial subset of said valid macroblock modes including computing second level encoding costs;
• determining if a said received indication of said prediction mode level is a second prediction mode level indication;
• and
• deciding to perform I-type encoding or P-type encoding of said macroblock based upon said second level encoding costs if said received indication of said prediction mode level is a second prediction mode level indication;
• and
• performing said type of encoding.