An apparatus and method for processing multimedia data, such as, for example, video data, audio data, or both video and audio data for encoding utilizing a determined content classification is claimed. Processing the multimedia data includes determining complexity of multimedia data, classifying the multimedia data based on the determined complexity, and, determining a bit rate for encoding the multimedia data based on its classification. The complexity can include a spatial complexity component and a temporal complexity component of the multimedia data. The multimedia data is classified using content classifications, which are based on a visual quality value for viewing multimedia data, using the spatial complexity, the temporal complexity, or both the spatial complexity and temporal complexity.