A processing apparatus and video encoding method are provided which include receiving a portion of a video sequence and determining complexities for blocks of pixels of the portion of the video sequence. Quantization parameter values for corresponding blocks of pixels are selected based on complexities of the corresponding blocks and visually perceived coding artifacts of the corresponding blocks produced by the quantization parameter values. The blocks of pixels are encoded, using the selected quantization parameter values. The blocks of pixels are decoded and the portion of the video sequence is provided for display.