Method and device for video transcoding using quad-tree based mode selection

摘要

An encoder (10, 110) for encoding a downsampled video in which macroblock partitioning is based upon downsampled partitioning of full-resolution macroblocks (520). The refinement of the downsampled partitioning involves storing the downsampled partitioning in a quad-tree data structure (502) and recursively identifying and evaluating possible mergers of leaf nodes having a common parent node. Using rate-distortion analysis possible mergers are evaluated and advantageous mergers are performed, thereby creating larger partitions and new leaf nodes. The traversing of the quad-tree to identify possible leaf node mergers is stopped when no further possible mergers may be identified that would result in a rate-distortion advantage.