Patent ID: 7620107

Claim:
A transcoding method comprising: (a) decoding, by using a decoder, an image coded in a first encoding method and then obtaining, by using a decoder, encoding mode information and motion vector information of each block of the image; (b) selecting, by using an encoder, at least one of available encoding modes of a second encoding method based on the encoding mode information of each block of the decoded image; (c) performing, by using the encoder, a motion estimation process on each block of the decoded image in the at least one selected encoding mode and then determining, by using the encoder, an optimal encoding mode for each block of the decoded image based on a motion estimation result; and (d) performing, by using the encoder, the motion estimation process on each block of the decoded image in the optimal encoding mode and outputting, by using the encoder, data coded in the second encoding method for the decoded image.