Fast mode decision algorithm for color plus depth-map 3D videos

In this paper, we propose a fast mode decision algorithm for color plus depth-map 3D videos. By utilizing the relationship of coding modes between color frame and associated depth frame, an early SKIP mode decision scheme and a mode selection mechanism have been developed to speed up the encoding process of color videos. Experimental results show that the proposed algorithm is faster than other existing mode decision approaches with similar coding efficiency. The entire encoding time is reduced by 72% on average compared with conventional 3D video coding algorithm, while introducing only negligible loss in peak signal-to-noise ratio value and small increase in bit rates.