Methods and systems for encoding video data are provided. Evolving standards for video encoding such as High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC) standard require a significant increase in computational complexity for both inter and intra encoding. The method includes calculating an approximate cost of each of a first set of prediction modes. Then selecting a second set of prediction modes from the first set of prediction modes based on probability distributions associated with each of the modes in the first set of prediction modes, the second set having substantially fewer prediction modes than the first. A number of candidate prediction modes prior to rate distortion optimization (RDO) is reduced. Experimental results show that the proposed method provides substantial time reduction and negligible quality loss as compared to the HEVC reference.