Coding method complexity types are assigned to video for combinations of coding decision levels associated with a sequence of pictures, a group of pictures, a scene, a region of the scene or picture, a block or macroblock. Multiple coding units are encoded as a function of complexity and determined from the coding decision levels. A first coding decision level is associated with determining a first complexity and a first coding method type for the sequence of pictures. A second coding decision level is associated with determining a second complexity and a second coding method type for the pictures or scene. The picture or sequence includes the coding units. A third coding decision level is associated with determining a third complexity and a third coding method type for the coding units.