According to an aspect, a video encoder selects a block of intermediate size from a set of block sizes for intra-prediction estimation for encoding a video signal. A set of neighboring blocks with the intermediate size are tested for combining. If the set of neighboring blocks are determined to be combinable, the video encoder selects a larger block size formed by the tested neighboring blocks for encoding. On the other hand, if the set of neighboring blocks are determined to be not combinable, the video encoder selects a smaller block size from the set of tested neighboring blocks for prediction. According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the best mode for intra-prediction is determined by first intra-predicting a block with intermediate modes in a set of modes. Then the intra-predictions are performed for the neighboring modes of at least one intermediate mode.

According to an aspect, a video encoder selects a block of intermediate size from a set of block sizes for intra-prediction estimation for encoding a video signal. A set of neighboring blocks with the intermediate size are tested for combining. If the set of neighboring blocks are determined to be combinable, the video encoder selects a larger block size formed by the tested neighboring blocks for encoding. On the other hand, if the set of neighboring blocks are determined to be not combinable, the video encoder selects a smaller block size from the set of tested neighboring blocks for prediction. According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the best mode for intra-prediction is determined by first intra-predicting a block with intermediate modes in a set of modes. Then the intra-predictions are performed for the neighboring modes of at least one intermediate mode.

A method of de-blocking filtering a processed video is provided. The processed video includes a plurality of blocks and each block includes a plurality of sub-blocks. A current block of the plurality of blocks includes vertical edges and horizontal edges. The processed video further includes a set of control parameters and reconstructed pixels corresponding to the current block. A boundary strength index is estimated at the vertical edges and at the horizontal edges of the current block. The set of control parameters, the reconstructed pixels corresponding to the current block and partially filtered pixels corresponding to a set of adjacent sub-blocks are loaded. The vertical edges and the horizontal edges of the current block are filtered based on the boundary strength index and the set of control parameters such that a vertical edge of the current block is filtered before filtering at least one horizontal edge of the current block.

A method of de-blocking filtering a processed video is provided. The processed video includes a plurality of blocks and each block includes a plurality of sub-blocks. A current block of the plurality of blocks includes vertical edges and horizontal edges. The processed video further includes a set of control parameters and reconstructed pixels corresponding to the current block. A boundary strength index is estimated at the vertical edges and at the horizontal edges of the current block. The set of control parameters, the reconstructed pixels corresponding to the current block and partially filtered pixels corresponding to a set of adjacent sub-blocks are loaded. The vertical edges and the horizontal edges of the current block are filtered based on the boundary strength index and the set of control parameters such that a vertical edge of the current block is filtered before filtering at least one horizontal edge of the current block.

An encoder includes circuitry and memory connected to the circuitry. In operation, the circuitry: derives a correction parameter using only a neighboring reconstructed image that neighbors a processing unit which has a determined size and is located at an upper left of a current block to be processed in an image, among neighboring reconstructed images that neighbor the current block, and performs correction processing of the current block based on the correction parameter derived, when the current block has a size larger than the determined size.

An encoder includes circuitry and memory connected to the circuitry. In operation, the circuitry: derives a correction parameter using only a neighboring reconstructed image that neighbors a processing unit which has a determined size and is located at an upper left of a current block to be processed in an image, among neighboring reconstructed images that neighbor the current block, and performs correction processing of the current block based on the correction parameter derived, when the current block has a size larger than the determined size.

Aspects of the disclosure provide methods and apparatuses for video encoding/decoding. In some examples, an apparatus for video encoding includes processing circuitry. The processing circuitry determines whether a current block in a current picture is a small block based on a block size threshold. The processing circuitry constructs a motion vector predictor list for the current block based on whether the current block is the small block, at least one redundancy check with a motion vector candidate in the motion vector predictor list being performed in the construction of the motion vector predictor list based on whether the current block is the small block. The processing circuitry encodes the current block based on the constructed motion vector predictor list.

Aspects of the disclosure provide methods and apparatuses for video encoding/decoding. In some examples, an apparatus for video encoding includes processing circuitry. The processing circuitry determines whether a current block in a current picture is a small block based on a block size threshold. The processing circuitry constructs a motion vector predictor list for the current block based on whether the current block is the small block, at least one redundancy check with a motion vector candidate in the motion vector predictor list being performed in the construction of the motion vector predictor list based on whether the current block is the small block. The processing circuitry encodes the current block based on the constructed motion vector predictor list.

The present disclosure provides an image encoder. The image encoder is configured to encode an original image and reduce compression loss. The image encoder comprises an image signal processor and a compressor. The image signal processor is configured to receive a first frame image and a second frame image and generates a compressed image of the second frame image using a boundary pixel image of the first frame image. The image signal processor may include memory configured to store first reference pixel data which is the first frame image. The compressor is configured to receive the first reference pixel data from the memory and generate a bitstream obtained by encoding the second frame image based on a difference value between the first reference pixel data and the second frame image. The image signal processor generates a compressed image of the second frame image using the bitstream generated by the compressor.

The present disclosure provides an image encoder. The image encoder is configured to encode an original image and reduce compression loss. The image encoder comprises an image signal processor and a compressor. The image signal processor is configured to receive a first frame image and a second frame image and generates a compressed image of the second frame image using a boundary pixel image of the first frame image. The image signal processor may include memory configured to store first reference pixel data which is the first frame image. The compressor is configured to receive the first reference pixel data from the memory and generate a bitstream obtained by encoding the second frame image based on a difference value between the first reference pixel data and the second frame image. The image signal processor generates a compressed image of the second frame image using the bitstream generated by the compressor.