Prediction error prioritizing strategy for fast normalized partial distortion motion estimation algorithm

A prediction error prioritizing-based normalized partial distortion search algorithm for fast motion estimation is proposed in this letter. The distortion behavior of each pixel in a macroblock is first analyzed to point out the priority/order of sum of absolute difference calculation. Afterward, the normalized partial distortion search algorithm is applied for half-stop of the distortion calculation. In addition, a dynamic search range decision algorithm is adopted for automatically changing the size of the search range to further increase the motion estimation speed. The computational complexity can be reduced significantly through the proposed algorithm, though leaving a PSNR degradation that could be dismissed.