Fast video encoding method with block partitioning

A video encoding device comprising:

• a memory configured to store video data;
• and
• at least one processor configured to:
• select one of a full rate-distortion (RD) checking scheme when a complexity of a block of video data exceeds a threshold value or a fast RD checking scheme when the complexity of the block does not exceed the threshold value, wherein the complexity of the block is based on a variation of distortion between sub-partitions of the block, and wherein the fast RD checking scheme comprises an early termination of the full RD checking scheme;
• determine an RD cost associated with encoding the block of the video data based on the selected full RD checking scheme or fast RD checking scheme;
• determine a partitioning scheme for the block based on the determined RD cost;
• and
• encode the block using the determined partitioning scheme based on the determined RD cost.

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium including instructions stored thereon that, when executed, cause at least one processor of a video encoding device to:

• select one of a full rate-distortion (RD) checking scheme when a complexity of a block of video data exceeds a threshold value or a fast RD checking scheme when the complexity of the block does not exceed the threshold value, wherein the complexity of the block is based on a variation of distortion between sub-partitions of the block, and wherein the fast RD checking scheme comprises an early termination of the full RD checking scheme;
• determine an RD cost associated with encoding block of the video data based on the selected full RD checking scheme or fast RD checking scheme;
• determine a partitioning scheme for the block based on the determined RD cost;
• and
• encode the block using the determined partitioning scheme based on the determined RD cost.