Devices, systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with encoding image data are described. In one embodiment, an apparatus comprises classification logic to determine, using an image characteristic from a macro-block of image data, whether the macro-block is a smooth image or a complex image based at least in part on the image characteristic. The apparatus may then generate an encoded macro-block by selectively encoding the macro-block using a first prediction mode if the macro-block is the smooth image and encoding the macro-block using a different second prediction mode if the macro-block is the complex image.