Fast adaptive variable frame-rate coding

Due to limited bandwidth in mobile applications, it is a noticeable waste to use constant frame-rate video. We propose a novel method of variable frame-rate video coding - fast adaptive variable frame-rate coding. The method analyzes video contents and adjusts frame-rate dynamically and adaptively. Utilizing information generated by existing video encoders, the additional computing cost involved is acceptable. Compared with traditional constant frame-rate video coding, the method can remarkably decrease bitrate with almost invisible degradation of video quality. It can be applied to any motion-estimation based video codec. Experimental results on not only standard test video sequences but also practical video sequences prove that the method is valuable and viable.