On fast firmware/software-based video coding

Video coding via firmware or software has the advantages of greater flexibility, quicker development cycle and easier updating/reconfiguration; in addition, its efficient and economical realization can be exploited at algorithm and programming/process levels. Issues related to complexity regulation and firmware/software efficiency are discussed for a hybrid video codec. A simple yet effective parametric scheme is proposed for high-level complexity regulation, regardless of the motion estimation (ME) and DCT algorithms adopted. Various methods are also presented for programming and process optimization. Results and performance in real-time codecs confirm the effectiveness of the techniques being presented.