Described herein are a number of approaches for implementing a multistandard video encoder. In several embodiments, a single encoder supports multiple video encoding standards via dedicated hardware datapaths, while using shared buffers to store a video data between processing stages. In one such embodiment, system for video encoding is described. The system includes a number of encoding stages, for performing tasks associated with encoded video data. The system also includes a number of encoding buffers, coupled to the encoding stages, for storing video data between encoding stages. The encoding stages are operable to encode the video data in accordance with a number of video encoding standards, and the encoding buffers are operable to store partially encoded video data, regardless of the video encoding standard selected.