Selective CU depth range decision algorithm for HEVC Encoder

In this paper, selective CU depth range decision algorithm is proposed to achieve a fast High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC) encoding. According to HEVC standard, encoding and decoding operation is performed using Coding Tree Unit (CTU). These CTUs are further divided in quadtree structure to form Coding Units (CUs) and its perform recursive splitting into four blocks. To reduce unnecessary CU splitting and the computational complexity, the proposed algorithm can select CU depth range using threshold values which were estimated from spatially neighboring CU information of current CU. Experimental results show that the proposed algorithm achieves an approximate 21% reduction in encoding time for random access configuration, with a Y BD-rate loss of 0.2%.