Fast depth map intra prediction algorithm based on edge detection and CU partition

This paper proposed a new fast intra prediction algorithm based on fast edge detection and CU partition for depth map to reduce the coding complexity of Multiview Video Plus Depth (MVD) coding in HEVC. The latest video coding standard HEVC greatly improves the coding complexity of intra prediction because of complex coding unit (CU) partition and lots of prediction modes. Depth maps always have smooth regions separated by sharp edges. Smooth regions can help to speed up the CU partition and reduce the time of intra mode decision, and sharp edges must be protected to ensure the quality of synthetic viewpoints. In the new algorithm, an equation and a threshold T are used to detect whether there are edges in current CU. To different kinds of CU, different intra mode decision methods are taken. After simulation, the experimental results show that the proposed algorithm significantly reduces the coding times, while maintaining high bitrate and PSNR performance in comparison with original HEVC algorithm.