Multi-pass video encoder and methods for use therewith

1. A multi-pass video encoder for use in a video processing device that processes a video signal, the multi-pass video encoder comprising: a video encoding module, that encodes the video signal based on an initial configuration data set to generate an initial processed video signal and an initial output data set; and an application coding control module, coupled to the video encoding module, that generates the initial configuration data set and that generates a first updated configuration data set based on both display of the initial processed video signal and the initial output data set; wherein the video encoding module further is operable to encode the video signal based on the first updated configuration data set to generate a first updated processed video signal and a first updated output data set; and wherein the initial configuration data set, the first updated configuration data set, the initial output data set and the first updated output data set are storable simultaneously in a buffer and a final encoding of the video signal is selectable in response to user input based on a comparison of the display of a video stream generated from the initial output data set and a contemporaneous display of a video stream generated from the first updated output data set; wherein the application coding control module generates a second updated configuration data set based on both the first updated processed video signal and the first updated output data set; wherein the video encoding module further encodes the video signal based on the second updated configuration data set to generate a second updated processed video signal and a second updated output data set; and wherein the initial configuration data set, the first updated configuration data set, the second updated configuration data set, the initial output data set, the first updated output data set and the second updated output data set are stored simultaneously in the buffer, wherein the final encoding of the video signal is selected further in response to the user input based on a comparison of a display of the second updated output data set with the display of the initial output data set, and the display of the first updated output data set.

2. The multi-pass video encoder of claim 1 wherein the initial configuration data set indicates at least one of: a group of picture structure for a plurality of pictures of the initial processed video signal; a picture level quantization parameter for I, P and B pictures in the plurality of pictures of the initial processed video signal; and a baseline quantization parameter.

3. The multi-pass video encoder of claim 1 wherein the initial output data set includes separate initial output data for each of an initial plurality of pictures of the initial processed video signal, and wherein the first updated output data set includes separate first updated output data for each of a first updated plurality of pictures of the first updated processed video signal.

4. The multi-pass video encoder of claim 1 wherein the initial output data set includes at least one of: at least one picture level quantization parameter for a plurality of pictures of the initial processed video signal; at least one picture level motion parameter for the plurality of pictures of the initial processed video signal; and at least one picture level variance for the plurality of pictures of the initial processed video signal.

5. The multi-pass video encoder of claim 1 wherein the application coding control module includes: a parsing module that generates display data from the initial output data set; a graphical user interface, coupled to the parsing module, that: displays the display data and at least a portion of the initial processed video signal to a user for review; and generates selection data in response to user selections based on the user's review of the display data; and a configuration data generation module, coupled to the graphical user interface, that generates the first updated configuration data set, based on the selection data.

6. A method for use in a video processing device that processes a video signal, the method comprising: generating an initial configuration data set; encoding the video signal based on the initial configuration data set to generate an initial processed video signal and an initial output data set; generating a first updated configuration data set based on both display of the initial processed video signal and the initial output data set; encoding the video signal based on the first updated configuration data set to generate a first updated processed video signal and a first updated output data set; simultaneously storing the initial configuration data set, the first updated configuration data set, the initial output data set and the first updated output data set in a buffer; generating a second updated configuration data set based on both the first updated processed video signal and the first updated output data set; encoding the video signal based on the second updated configuration data set to generate a second updated processed video signal and a second updated output data set; and simultaneously storing the initial configuration data set, the first updated configuration data set, the second updated configuration data set, the initial output data set, the first updated output data set and the second updated output data set in the buffer; wherein a final encoding of the video signal is selected in response to user input based on a comparison of the display of a video stream of the initial output data set and a contemporaneous display of a video stream of the first updated output data set and further in response to the user input based on a comparison of a display of the second updated output data set with the display of the initial output data set, and the display of the first updated output data set.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the initial configuration data set indicates at least one of: a group of picture structure for a plurality of pictures of the initial processed video signal; a picture level quantization parameter for I, P and B pictures in the plurality of pictures of the initial processed video signal; and a baseline quantization parameter.

8. The method of claim 6 wherein the initial output data set includes separate initial output data for each of an initial plurality of pictures of the initial processed video signal, and wherein the first updated output data set includes separate first updated output data for each of a first updated plurality of pictures of the first updated processed video signal.

9. The method of claim 6 wherein the initial output data set includes at least one of: at least one picture level quantization parameter for a plurality of pictures of the initial processed video signal; at least one picture level motion parameter for the plurality of pictures of the initial processed video signal; and at least one picture level variance for the plurality of pictures of the initial processed video signal.

10. The method of claim 6 wherein generating the first updated configuration data set includes: generating display data from the initial output data set; displaying the display data and at least a portion of the initial processed video signal to a user for review; generating selection data in response to user selections based on the user's review of the display data; and generating the first updated configuration data set, based on the selection data.