Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and computer readable storage medium for encoding/decoding video data in a decoder. The method includes receiving a first End of Block (EOB) flag associated with a first color component of a data block from the video data; deriving a context for entropy encoding the first EOB flag based on a second EOB flag associated with a second color component of the data block of the video data; and performing entropy decoding of the first EOB flag based on the derived context.

Abstract: An apparatus for decoding a sequence of pictures from a data stream is configured for decoding a picture of the sequence by deriving a residual transform signal of the picture from the data stream; combining a residual transform signal with a buffered transform signal approximation of a previous picture of the sequence so as to obtain a transform signal representing the picture, the transform signal having a plurality of transform coefficients; and subjecting the transform signal to a spectral-to-spatial transformation. The apparatus is configured for deriving the buffered transform signal approximation from a further transform signal representing the previous picture so that the buffered transform signal approximation has approximations of further transform coefficients of the further transform signal.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An apparatus for decoding a sequence of pictures from a data stream is configured for decoding a picture of the sequence by deriving a residual transform signal of the picture from the data stream; combining a residual transform signal with a buffered transform signal approximation of a previous picture of the sequence so as to obtain a transform signal representing the picture, the transform signal having a plurality of transform coefficients; and subjecting the transform signal to a spectral-to-spatial transformation. The apparatus is configured for deriving the buffered transform signal approximation from a further transform signal representing the previous picture so that the buffered transform signal approximation has approximations of further transform coefficients of the further transform signal.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An image coding method for improving coding efficiency by using more appropriate probability information is provided. The image coding method includes: a first coding step of coding a first set of blocks included in a first region sequentially based on first probability information; and a second coding step of coding a second set of blocks included in a second region sequentially based on second probability information. In the first coding step, the first probability information is updated depending on data of a target block to be coded, after coding the target block and before coding a next target block. In the second coding step, the second probability information is updated depending on the first probability information updated in the first coding step, before coding the first target block.

Abstract: An image coding method for improving coding efficiency by using more appropriate probability information is provided. The image coding method includes: a first coding step of coding a first set of blocks included in a first region sequentially based on first probability information; and a second coding step of coding a second set of blocks included in a second region sequentially based on second probability information. In the first coding step, the first probability information is updated depending on data of a target block to be coded, after coding the target block and before coding a next target block. In the second coding step, the second probability information is updated depending on the first probability information updated in the first coding step, before coding the first target block.