OPTIMIZED VIDEO COMPRESSION FROM A SINGLE PROCESS STEP

A method of optimizing data compression in a data compression process. A single compressor is provided for performing video signal data compressor operations (122). The compressor receives a video signal that includes spatial and temporal data from a plurality of video signal frames. The compressor performs motion compensation (124, 126) on the plurality of video frames by simultaneously registering the plurality of video signal frames to produce a plurality of motion vectors. A performance metric including energy compaction parameters is then generated from the plurality of motion vectors (128). The performance metric is applied to the motion compensation step (124, 126) to optimize rate distortion performance in the motion compensation step and in subsequent data compression process steps.