RD-Optimized Search-Mode Restriction Method on the Enhancement Layer for Fast Encoding of H.264 Scalable Extension

We investigate that when we restrict the encoding modes on the enhancement layer based on that of the base layer exploiting the high correlation between the best modes at base and enhancement layers, we should determine the set of surviving search modes to yield the minimum excessive RD-cost caused by the restriction. Based on these sets, we implement a fast mode decision algorithm for H.264 Scalable Extension (SE). Simulation results show that the proposed algorithm is superior in the sense of the RD-performance to the conventional mode restriction method which is based on the conditional probabilities of the best modes.