Abstract: A video encoding method comprises selecting one combination, for each block of an input video signal, from a plurality of combinations each including a predictive parameter and at least one reference picture number determined in advance for the reference picture, generating a prediction picture signal in accordance with the reference picture number and predictive parameter of the selected combination, generating a predictive error signal representing an error between the input video signal and the prediction picture signal, and encoding the predictive error signal, information of the motion vector, and index information indicating the selected combination.

Abstract: A video encoding method includes extracting at least one reference macroblock from each of a plurality of reference frames to generate a plurality of reference macroblocks, computing a linear sum of the reference macroblocks using weighting factors to generate a predictive macroblock, generating a motion vector between the video macroblock and the reference macroblock corresponding to the predictive macroblock, generating a prediction error signal between the predictive macroblock and the video macroblock, and encoding the prediction error signal, a first index indicating the plurality of reference frames, a second index indicating the weighting factors and the motion vector.