A method of decoding an encoded video bitstream using at least one processor includes obtaining a coded video sequence from the encoded video bitstream; obtaining a first syntax element indicating a number of a plurality of layers included in the coded video sequence; obtaining a second syntax element indicating whether the plurality of layers included in the coded video sequence are all independent layers; based on the first syntax element indicating that the number of the plurality of layers is greater than one, and the second syntax element indicating that the plurality of layers are not all the independent layers, obtaining a third syntax element indicating an output mode; determining the output mode based on the third syntax element; determining one or more output layers from among the plurality of layers based on the determined output mode; and outputting the one or more output layers.

A video decoding device for decoding video using inter prediction includes entropy decoding means for decoding an inter-PU partition type syntax; and decoding control means for making the entropy decoding means decode the inter-PU (Prediction Unit) partition type syntax of a CU (Coding Unit) to be decoded, based on whether the prediction mode of the CU to be decoded is an inter prediction mode and whether a size of the CU to be decoded is equal to a predetermined minimum inter-PU size.

A video encoding device includes encoding control means 11 for controlling an inter-PU partition type of a CU to be encoded, based on the maximum number (PA) of motion vectors allowed for an image block having a predetermined area and the number (PB) of motion vectors of an encoded image block contained in the image block having the predetermined area. A video decoding device includes decoding control means for controlling an inter-PU partition type of a CU to be decoded, based on the maximum number (PA) of motion vectors allowed for an image block having a predetermined area and the number (PB) of motion vectors of a decoded image block contained in the image block having the predetermined area.

The signalization of the inter-layer dependencies between layers of a multi-layered data stream is described. A good compromise between a too intensive restriction of the potential diversity of inter-layer dependencies on the one hand and a too complex signaling of the inter-layer dependencies on the other hand has been found by describing the inter-layer dependencies by way of a first inter-dependency syntax structure indicating inter-dependencies between pairs of different values representable by a base layer-ID and a second inter-dependency syntax structure indicating inter-dependencies between pairs of different values representable by an extension layer-ID, the base layer ID and extension layer ID indexing the layers the portions of the multi-layer data stream are associated with. In accordance with this concept, emphasis may be shifted between increased diversity of the signalizable inter-layer dependencies on the one hand and reduced side-information overhead for signaling the inter-layer dependencies on the other hand.

The signalization of the inter-layer dependencies between layers of a multi-layered data stream is described. A good compromise between a too intensive restriction of the potential diversity of inter-layer dependencies on the one hand and a too complex signaling of the inter-layer dependencies on the other hand has been found by describing the inter-layer dependencies by way of a first inter-dependency syntax structure indicating inter-dependencies between pairs of different values representable by a base layer-ID and a second inter-dependency syntax structure indicating inter-dependencies between pairs of different values representable by an extension layer-ID, the base layer ID and extension layer ID indexing the layers the portions of the multi-layer data stream are associated with. In accordance with this concept, emphasis may be shifted between increased diversity of the signalizable inter-layer dependencies on the one hand and reduced side-information overhead for signaling the inter-layer dependencies on the other hand.

A video encoding device includes encoding control means 11 for controlling an inter-PU partition type of a CU to be encoded, based on the maximum number (PA) of motion vectors allowed for an image block having a predetermined area and the number (PB) of motion vectors of an encoded image block contained in the image block having the predetermined area. A video decoding device includes decoding control means for controlling an inter-PU partition type of a CU to be decoded, based on the maximum number (PA) of motion vectors allowed for an image block having a predetermined area and the number (PB) of motion vectors of a decoded image block contained in the image block having the predetermined area.

The loss of image quality during compression is controlled using a sequence of quality control metrics. The sequence of quality control metrics is selected for quantizing transform coefficients within an area of the image based on an error level definition. Candidate bit costs are then determined by quantizing the transform coefficients according to the error level definition or a modified error level and the sequence of quality control metrics. Where the candidate bit cost resulting from using the modified error level is lower than the candidate bit cost resulting from using the error level definition, the transform coefficients are quantized according to the modified error level and the sequence of quality control metrics. Otherwise, the transform coefficients are quantized based on the error level definition and according to the sequence of quality control metrics.

The loss of image quality during compression is controlled using a sequence of quality control metrics. The sequence of quality control metrics is selected for quantizing transform coefficients within an area of the image based on an error level definition. Candidate bit costs are then determined by quantizing the transform coefficients according to the error level definition or a modified error level and the sequence of quality control metrics. Where the candidate bit cost resulting from using the modified error level is lower than the candidate bit cost resulting from using the error level definition, the transform coefficients are quantized according to the modified error level and the sequence of quality control metrics. Otherwise, the transform coefficients are quantized based on the error level definition and according to the sequence of quality control metrics.

A video encoding method using a plurality of reference pictures includes: selecting whether or not a resilient picture referencing scheme is to be used for encoding video; writing a parameter indicating the selection into a header of an encoded video bitstream; and encoding a picture using inter-picture prediction using a result of the selection.

A video encoding method using a plurality of reference pictures includes: selecting whether or not a resilient picture referencing scheme is to be used for encoding video; writing a parameter indicating the selection into a header of an encoded video bitstream; and encoding a picture using inter-picture prediction using a result of the selection.