Fast mode decision for h.264 intra prediction with prediction samples easy to generate

This paper presents a fast mode decision algorithm and its hardware structure for H.264/AVC intra prediction. For 4times4 luma blocks, the algorithm uses only 8 prediction samples to reduce the number of possible prediction modes from 9 to 4. The 8 prediction samples are easier to generate than original prediction samples used in the H.264/AVC intra prediction. Values of the 8 prediction samples are close to the values of the original prediction samples. For 16times16 luma and chroma blocks, the algorithm uses directions of each mode and it reduces the number of possible prediction modes from 4 to 2. Overall, the algorithm reduces the number of possible prediction modes from 17 to 8. Experimental results show that the algorithm has less degradation of peak signal-to-noise ratio than those of existing algorithms. The hardware structure for the algorithm reduces the computation time by performing the intra prediction for 4times4 luma blocks and the intra prediction for 16times16 luma blocks and chroma blocks in parallel.