Fast rate control algorithm in frame-layer for H.264/AVC video coding

In this paper, we propose a fast rate control algorithm in frame-layer of H.264/AVC video coding standard. We derive a statistical relation between quantization parameter (QP) and encoded bits of inter-coded blocks. In addition, new complexity estimation is defined to determine weight of complexity of current frame. Using the statistical property and the complexity updating function, we determine the amount of bits as a function of quantization parameter, so that computational cost of rate control is significantly reduced with coding gain improvement and stable buffer management. Experimental results demonstrate the capability of the proposed algorithm.