An advanced constant quality rate control algorithm with new features and enhancements. can be applicable to different kinds of video scenes, in addition to static or less motion scenes. Statistical data is calculated at the beginning of encoding for each line of sections of a frame. Based on the statistical data, which case of a plurality of cases to be executed is determined and maximum and minimum QP values are determined according to the determined case. Actual maximum and minimum QP of the current line using is maintained using the maximum and minimum QP and a final QP value is determined for all sections in each line. A lambda value for encoding is determined from the final QP. At the end of encoding the picture, the number of frames encoded using constant quality is counted, the maximum and minimum QP and VBV fullness for each line is updated.