Methods are provided for inter-prediction candidate index coding independent of the construction of the corresponding inter-prediction candidate list, i.e., a merging candidate list or an advanced motion vector predictor list. A maximum allowed number of inter-prediction candidates for an inter-prediction candidate list is used for encoding the inter-prediction candidate index in an encoded bit stream. The maximum allowed number may be pre-determined or may be selected by the encoder and encoded in the bit stream. A decoder may then decode the index using the maximum allowed number of inter-prediction candidates independent of the construction of the corresponding inter-prediction candidate list.

Methods are provided for inter-prediction candidate index coding independent of the construction of the corresponding inter-prediction candidate list, i.e., a merging candidate list or an advanced motion vector predictor list. A maximum allowed number of inter-prediction candidates for an inter-prediction candidate list is used for encoding the inter-prediction candidate index in an encoded bit stream. The maximum allowed number may be pre-determined or may be selected by the encoder and encoded in the bit stream. A decoder may then decode the index using the maximum allowed number of inter-prediction candidates independent of the construction of the corresponding inter-prediction candidate list.

A method for sample adaptive offset (SAO) filtering and SAO parameter signaling in a video encoder is provided that includes determining SAO parameters for largest coding units (LCUs) of a reconstructed picture, wherein the SAO parameters include an indicator of an SAO filter type and a plurality of SAO offsets, applying SAO filtering to the reconstructed picture according to the SAO parameters, and entropy encoding LCU specific SAO information for each LCU of the reconstructed picture in an encoded video bit stream, wherein the entropy encoded LCU specific SAO information for the LCUs is interleaved with entropy encoded data for the LCUs in the encoded video bit stream. Determining SAO parameters may include determining the LCU specific SAO information to be entropy encoded for each LCU according to an SAO prediction protocol.

A method for sample adaptive offset (SAO) filtering and SAO parameter signaling in a video encoder is provided that includes determining SAO parameters for largest coding units (LCUs) of a reconstructed picture, wherein the SAO parameters include an indicator of an SAO filter type and a plurality of SAO offsets, applying SAO filtering to the reconstructed picture according to the SAO parameters, and entropy encoding LCU specific SAO information for each LCU of the reconstructed picture in an encoded video bit stream, wherein the entropy encoded LCU specific SAO information for the LCUs is interleaved with entropy encoded data for the LCUs in the encoded video bit stream. Determining SAO parameters may include determining the LCU specific SAO information to be entropy encoded for each LCU according to an SAO prediction protocol.

An image encoding apparatus comprises a controller configured to select, from a set of prediction directions, a set of candidate prediction directions as a subset of the set of prediction directions, for a current image region of a current image in dependence upon one or more properties of a group of reference samples of the current image applicable to the current image region; and an intra-image predictor configured to predict samples of the current image region with respect to one or more of the group of reference samples of the same image according to a prediction direction between the current sample and a reference position amongst the reference samples; in which the intra-image predictor is configured to select the prediction direction for the current image region from the set of candidate prediction directions.

A method and a device for encoding/decoding an image are disclosed. The method for decoding an image comprises the steps of: decoding information on a quantization matrix; and restoring the quantization matrix on the basis of the information on the quantization matrix, wherein the information on the quantization matrix includes information indicating a DC value of the quantization matrix and/or information indicating differential values of quantization matrix coefficients.

A method and a device for encoding/decoding an image are disclosed. The method for decoding an image comprises the steps of: decoding information on a quantization matrix; and restoring the quantization matrix on the basis of the information on the quantization matrix, wherein the information on the quantization matrix includes information indicating a DC value of the quantization matrix and/or information indicating differential values of quantization matrix coefficients.

An encoder (400), a decoder (450), and methods (20, 30) for partitioning a picture from a sequence of video pictures into a layout having a plurality of flexible tiles or segments is disclosed. Each tile or segment (T) comprises a single rectangular or square region. The encoder generates (22) a partition structure and encodes (28) the tiles according to the partition structure. The encoder also generates a bitstream (12) comprising a plurality of coded segments and information indicating the partition structure used to partition the picture into the plurality of flexible tiles or segments, and sends (29) the bitstream to the decoder. Upon receipt, the decoder uses the coded segments and information in the bitstream to decode (38) the plurality of coded segments.

An encoder (400), a decoder (450), and methods (20, 30) for partitioning a picture from a sequence of video pictures into a layout having a plurality of flexible tiles or segments is disclosed. Each tile or segment (T) comprises a single rectangular or square region. The encoder generates (22) a partition structure and encodes (28) the tiles according to the partition structure. The encoder also generates a bitstream (12) comprising a plurality of coded segments and information indicating the partition structure used to partition the picture into the plurality of flexible tiles or segments, and sends (29) the bitstream to the decoder. Upon receipt, the decoder uses the coded segments and information in the bitstream to decode (38) the plurality of coded segments.

The present disclosure provides methods and systems for fusing chroma intra prediction modes. An exemplary method includes: generating a plurality of predicted chroma samples associated with a pixel, by using a plurality of chroma intra prediction modes respectively; and determining a first predicted chroma sample, based on a weighted sum of the plurality of predicted chroma samples.