Rate control in video coding by adaptive mode selection

This paper presents an effective rate control algorithm by adaptively selecting the optimal modes for macroblocks in a block based video codec. For a given frame, the optimal modes are selected based on a decision curve that minimizes the overall distortion for a given bit rate. The proposed approach is different from the previous ones (1993, 1996) in that it does not manipulate quantizer to meet target bit rate. Instead it controls the decision curve to meet that target bit rate. The curve is obtained by utilizing simulated annealing optimization technique. The algorithm is implemented within H.261 video codec and simulation results are compared with other approaches