Fast encoder decision for texture coding in 3D-HEVC

•A fast encoder decision algorithm to encode the dependent texture views in 3D-HEVC.•Early merge mode decision to avoid unnecessary examinations of inter and intra modes.•Early CU splitting termination to avoid unnecessary checks for larger depths.•Achieve 47.1% coding time saving with overall 0.1% BD-rate gain compared to HTM-7.0.

As a 3D extension of the High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC) standard, 3D-HEVC is developed to improve the coding efficiency of multi-view video. However, the improvement of the coding efficiency is obtained at the expense of a computational complexity increase. How to relieve the computational burden of the encoder is becoming a critical problem in applications. In this paper, a fast encoder decision algorithm to encode the dependent texture views is proposed, where two strategies to accelerate encoder decision by exploiting inter-view correlations are utilized. The first one is an early merge mode decision algorithm, and the second one is an early CU splitting termination algorithm. Experimental results show that the proposed algorithm can achieve 47.1% encoding time saving with overall 0.1% BD-rate reduction compared to HTM (3D-HEVC test model) version 7 under the common test condition (CTC). Both of the two strategies have been adopted into the 3D-HEVC reference software and enabled as a default encoding process under CTC.