Methods and apparatus for conducting motion searching are provided. A first 2D array includes interconnected multi-directional shift registers for storing and shifting image values corresponding to a search window within a search region. A second 2D array includes registers for storing image values corresponding to a macroblock. A distortion calculation module is arranged to calculate and output a distortion value corresponding to the difference between image values stored in associated registers of the first and second arrays. The distortion value quantifies the correlation between the search window and the macroblock. The shift registers of the first 2D array are controlled to pass image values between adjacent shift registers to translate the position of the search window within the search region. Distortion values outputted after progressive shifts of the first 2D array are tracked to determine an optimal registration position of the macroblock relative to the search region.