Fast inter-view prediction and mode selection for multiview video coding

Multiview video coding (MVC) compresses the multiview video for efficiency storage and transmission, and it has been standardized as a recent extension of the H.264/AVC. In this paper, a fast inter-view prediction and mode selection algorithm is proposed to reduce the heavy computational complexity of MVC. First, partition activity of Inter modes is calculated by using the optimal Intra mode. Then, inter-view prediction is determined by employing the partition activity and the textural complexity of depth. Finally, Inter modes are selected by utilizing the partition activity and the textural complexity of pixels. As compared to the full mode decision, experimental results show that the proposed algorithm achieves 68% time saving on average with negligible loss of rate-distortion performance. As compared to the state-of-the-art fast algorithm, the proposed algorithm obtains higher and more stable time saving over a wide range of quantization parameters for different test sequences.