Fast motion estimation with size-based predictors selection hexagon search in H.264/AVC encoding

In this paper we present a new fast motion estimation algorithm suitable for H.264/AVC encoding systems. It applies a hexagon-based zonal search, thresholding criteria and improved predictors selection based on the size of the block under processing. The proposed method achieves almost the same visual quality of a Full Search block matcher with a dramatically reduced amount of computation.