Techniques for encoding video with reduced frame-boundary artifacts are presented. The techniques include a video encoding method, where, when skip mode is selected as a motion prediction coding mode for a pixel block predicted from a reference block of a reference frame, estimating an amount of the reference block that extends beyond the edge of the reference frame. If the amount beyond the edge does not exceed a threshold, the prediction may be coded with skip mode. If the amount beyond the edge exceeds a threshold, the pixel block may be partitioned, and the partitioned blocks may be coded with motion prediction.