An improved zero-block mode decision algorithm for H.264/AVC

In the previous work we presented a zero-block mode decision algorithm for H.264/AVC to reduce the computation time, based upon the number of zero blocks of 4×4 DCT coefficients between the current macroblock (MB) and the collocated macroblock. In this paper we extend the previous work and provide a more sophisticated algorithm, which uses an early zero-block detection method instead of DCT/Q computation, and incorporates adequate decision methods into semi-stationary and non-stationary regions of a video sequence. The simulation results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm can achieve up to 20% of time saving on average compared to the original zero-block mode decision algorithm, while maintaining a high coding performance.