An improved intra-prediction algorithm for H.264

H.264 improves the coding efficiency by adopting rate distortion optimization (RDO); however, it yields high computational complexity. In order to reduce the intra-frame coding time, a fast and effective intra-prediction mode selection algorithm is proposed. The minimum sum of absolute differences between sub-block and its marginal weighted-pixels are used for selecting the candidates of prediction modes to speed up the intra-prediction process with an early termination criterion. Experimental results show that the proposed method can reduce the encoding time by more than 63% comparing with JM (Joint Model) software and is better than the previous algorithms, with negligible loss of coding performance.