Motion vector prediction methods considering prediction continuity in HEVC

In video coding standards such as H.265/HEVC and H.264/AVC using motion compensation, motion vector prediction (MVP) refers to motion vectors predicted from the neighboring encoded or decoded blocks. However, if the reference block is encoded in intra prediction mode, the motion vector cannot be acquired because the block has no motion information. This decreases motion vector prediction efficiency in AMVP (Advanced Motion Vector Prediction) mode and motion compensation efficiency in Merge mode. To address this problem, this paper describes a new motion vector prediction method we propose that considers prediction continuity. The method improves coding efficiency by setting a MVP candidate list to a block encoded in intra prediction mode, which the blocks that follow it refer when MVP is performed. Experiment results show that the method provides up to 1.0% rate-distortion improvement over HM16.6.