Rate control algorithm for pixel-domain Wyner-Ziv video coding

Wyner-Ziv video coders perform simple intra-frame encoding and complex inter-frame decoding. This feature makes this type of coder suitable for applications that require low-complexity encoders. Video coding algorithms provide coding modes and parameters so that encoders can fulfill rate constraints and improve the coding efficiency. However, in most Wyner-Ziv video coders, no algorithm is used to optimally choose the coding modes and parameters. In this paper, we present a rate control algorithm for pixel-domain Wyner-Ziv video coders. Our algorithm predicts the rate and distortion of each video frame as a function of the coding mode and the quantization parameter. In this way, our algorithm can properly select the best mode and quantization for each video frame. We show experimentally that, even though the rate and distortion cannot be accurately predicted in Wyner-Ziv video encoders, rate constraints are approximately fulfilled and good coding efficiency is obtained by using our algorithm.