A controllable predictive cross-diamond fast search algorithm for block matching motion estimation

Motion search is a key technique to motion compensated video coding standards (Jo Yew Tham et al., 1998). A novel controllable predictive cross-diamond fast search algorithm is proposed based on intense study of motion vector characteristics. The proposed algorithm takes advantage of "stop when good enough" spirit in PMVFAST (A. M. Tourapis et al., 2000) and multiple initial predictor candidates (MIPC) concept in APDZS, and new controllable search criteria are set down. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm is better than other recently proposed algorithms in term of PSNR performance and required number of search points, and moreover, the proposed algorithm can control the search speed according to practical demands.