1. A multi-stage encoding type system comprising: a first stage for performing an inter-prediction related search, determining inter-prediction costs and deciding on inter-prediction type encoding or intra-prediction type encoding; a second stage for performing an intra-prediction related search, determining intra-prediction costs and performing a transform based upon said deciding on inter-prediction type encoding or intra-prediction type encoding; and wherein said intra-prediction costs are communicated from said second stage to said first stage for utilization in said deciding on inter-prediction type encoding or intra-prediction type encoding, wherein programming selection of an intra/inter (I/P) decision point is associated with complexity of a cost determination and wherein there are three prediction mode levels including an early prediction mode level, an intermediate prediction mode level and a late prediction mode level, wherein the three prediction mode levels are associated with three different macroblock size characteristics and a change.