Several techniques aimed at reducing computational complexity when encoding uses bi-predictively encoded frames (B-frames) are implemented in a video encoder. In an embodiment, B-frames are not used as reference frames for encoding P-frames and other B-frames. Non-use of B-frames allows a de-blocking filter used in the video encoder to be switched off when reconstructing encoded B-frames, and use of a lower complexity filter for fractional-resolution motion search for B-frames. In another embodiment, cost functions used in motion estimation for B-frames are simplified to reduce computational complexity. In one more embodiment, fractional pixel refinement in motion search for B-frames is simplified. In yet another embodiment, predictors used in motion estimation for a macro-block in a P-frame are selected from a B-frame that uses a same reference frame as the P-frame.

Several techniques aimed at reducing computational complexity when encoding uses bi-predictively encoded frames (B-frames) are implemented in a video encoder. In an embodiment, B-frames are not used as reference frames for encoding P-frames and other B-frames. Non-use of B-frames allows a de-blocking filter used in the video encoder to be switched off when reconstructing encoded B-frames, and use of a lower complexity filter for fractional-resolution motion search for B-frames. In another embodiment, cost functions used in motion estimation for B-frames are simplified to reduce computational complexity. In one more embodiment, fractional pixel refinement in motion search for B-frames is simplified. In yet another embodiment, predictors used in motion estimation for a macro-block in a P-frame are selected from a B-frame that uses a same reference frame as the P-frame.

Various embodiments are directed to techniques for dividing compressed video data into portions for load balancing or redundancy among multiple video transcoders. A device includes an analysis component to analyze NAL units of compressed video data representing a motion video to identify a GOP refresh, and to compare a period of time represented by frames of the motion video following the GOP refresh to a maximum; a division component to divide the compressed video data at a first point coincident with the GOP refresh to define a start of a compressed video portion, and at a second point to define an end of the compressed video portion to include frames of the motion video representing a shorter period of time between the first and second points than the maximum; and an assignment component to assign the compressed video portion to a transcoding device. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Various embodiments are directed to techniques for dividing compressed video data into portions for load balancing or redundancy among multiple video transcoders. A device includes an analysis component to analyze NAL units of compressed video data representing a motion video to identify a GOP refresh, and to compare a period of time represented by frames of the motion video following the GOP refresh to a maximum; a division component to divide the compressed video data at a first point coincident with the GOP refresh to define a start of a compressed video portion, and at a second point to define an end of the compressed video portion to include frames of the motion video representing a shorter period of time between the first and second points than the maximum; and an assignment component to assign the compressed video portion to a transcoding device. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Encoding and decoding using advance coded reference prediction may include identifying a sequence of temporally adjacent frames from the plurality of frames, wherein each frame in the sequence of temporally adjacent frames is associated with a respective frame position indicating a temporal location the sequence, encoding a first frame from the sequence as an intra-coded frame, generating an alternate reference frame by reconstructing the first encoded frame, encoding a second frame from the sequence with reference to a reference frame, the second frame associated with a second frame position, including the first encoded frame in a compressed bitstream at a first bitstream position, and including the second encoded frame in the compressed bitstream at a second bitstream position, wherein the second bitstream position is later than the first bitstream position and wherein the first frame position is later than the second frame position.

If the number of frames in a GOP of an input stream is not less than 15, the GOP is determined as a control unit time. If the number of frames in the GOP is less than 15, the following GOP is connected thereto until the number of frames becomes not less than 15 and the connected GOPs are determined as a control unit time. After correcting the control unit time, the average input bit rate S.sub.n in each control unit time is obtained, and by using information on the input stream including the average input bit rate S.sub.n, a quantization step value of an output stream is calculated.

Methods and systems are provided for image processing. A plurality of correlation parameters representing degrees of correlation between two or more images of a plurality of images may be determined. An optimized correlation dependency graph may be generated according to the plurality of correlation parameters. The plurality of images may then be delta encoded according to the optimized correlation dependency graph. For example, the optimized correlation dependency graph may be used for performing a predetermined correlation encoding operation. The plurality of correlation parameters may be determined, for example, in accordance with one or more predetermined correlation metrics associated with the predetermined correlation encoding operation.

Methods and systems are provided for image processing. A plurality of correlation parameters representing degrees of correlation between two or more images of a plurality of images may be determined. An optimized correlation dependency graph may be generated according to the plurality of correlation parameters. The plurality of images may then be delta encoded according to the optimized correlation dependency graph. For example, the optimized correlation dependency graph may be used for performing a predetermined correlation encoding operation. The plurality of correlation parameters may be determined, for example, in accordance with one or more predetermined correlation metrics associated with the predetermined correlation encoding operation.

A method and apparatus for encoding surveillance video where one or more regions of interest are identified and the encoding parameter values associated with those regions are specified in accordance with intermediate outputs of a video analytics process. Such an analytics-modulated video compression approach allows the coding process to adapt dynamically based on the content of the surveillance images. In this manner, the fidelity of the region of interest is increased relative to that of a background region such that the coding efficiency is improved, including instances when no target objects appear in the scene. Better compression results can be achieved by assigning different coding priority levels to different types of detected objects.

A method and apparatus for encoding surveillance video where one or more regions of interest are identified and the encoding parameter values associated with those regions are specified in accordance with intermediate outputs of a video analytics process. Such an analytics-modulated video compression approach allows the coding process to adapt dynamically based on the content of the surveillance images. In this manner, the fidelity of the region of interest is increased relative to that of a background region such that the coding efficiency is improved, including instances when no target objects appear in the scene. Better compression results can be achieved by assigning different coding priority levels to different types of detected objects.