Abstract: In order to reduce the complexity of quality scalability, a novel quality scalable video coding algorithm based on pattern recognition is proposed. The self-organizing neural network is used for scalable video coding in the proposed scheme. A coarse pattern library is used for coding the base layer and two fine pattern libraries are used for recoding the area of the picture which has a bad reconstructed quality. Experimental results show that this algorithm has a better performance than the traditional coarse-grain quality scalable coding algorithm.