Abstract:

An accurate macroblock (MB) layer rate control scheme based on Sobel edge operator for H.264/AVC is proposed. Utilizing the Sobel edge operator, the prediction accuracy of both mean absolute difference (MAD) and header bits can be improved. Meanwhile, a more suitable Rate Quantization (RQ) model history data point selection method is also developed to enhance the accuracy of RQ model. Extensive simulations show that the scheme can control bit rates accurately with the average peak signaltonoise ratio (PSNR) up to 0.8dB when compared with the conventional H.264/AVC rate control algorithms.

Key words: H.264, Sobel edge operator, MAD prediction, header bits prediction, history data points selection