Sample array coding for low-delay

A method for reconstructing a sample array from an entropy-encoded data stream coded with the video, the method comprising:

• entropy decoding a plurality of entropy slices in the entropy-encoded data stream to reconstruct the sample array, each of the plurality of entropy slices including entropy-encoded data for a corresponding row of a plurality of rows of the sample array,
• wherein, for a current entropy slice of the plurality of entropy slices, the entropy decoding is performed along an entropy coding path using a first probability estimate, and includes:
• initializing, during a starting phase of the entropy decoding, the first probability estimate for the current entropy slice before decoding a first block of a current row corresponding to the current entropy slice based on a second probability estimate obtained after completing decoding of a second block of a previous row corresponding to a previous entropy slice of the plurality of entropy slices,
• wherein the first block is the left-most block of the current row and the second block is a block spatially adjoining and to the right of the left-most block of the previous row,
• wherein the current and previous rows are consecutive rows of the sample array, the previous row being spatially above the current row, and the entropy decoding of the previous entropy slice begins before the entropy decoding of the current entropy slice, and
• adapting, during a continuation phase of the entropy decoding subsequent to the starting phase, the first probability estimate along the entropy coding path using a previously-decoded part of the current entropy slice.

A method for encoding a sample array into an entropy-encoded data stream coded with a video, the method comprising:

• entropy encoding a plurality of entropy slices into the entropy-encoded data stream, each of the plurality of entropy slices including entropy-encoded data for a corresponding row of a plurality of rows of the sample array
• wherein, for a current entropy slice of the plurality of entropy slices, the entropy encoding is performed along an entropy coding path using a first probability estimate by:
• initializing, during a starting phase of the entropy encoding, the first probability estimate for the current entropy slice before encoding a first block of a current row corresponding to the current entropy slice based on a second probability estimate obtained after completing encoding of a second block of a previous row corresponding to a previous entropy slice of the plurality of entropy slices,
• wherein the first block is the left-most block of the current row and the second block is a block spatially adjoining and to the right of the left-most block of the previous row,
• wherein the current and previous rows are consecutive rows of the sample array, the previous row being spatially above the current row, and the entropy encoding of the previous entropy slice begins before the entropy encoding of the current entropy slice, and
• adapting, during a continuation phase of the entropy encoding subsequent to the starting phase, the first probability estimate along the entropy coding path using a previously-encoded part of the current entropy slice.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium for storing data associated with a video, comprising:

• a data stream stored in the non-transitory computer-readable medium, the data stream comprising entropy-encoded information associated with a sample array of a video, the entropy-encoded information including a plurality of entropy slices, each of the plurality of entropy slices including entropy-encoded data for a corresponding row of a plurality of rows of the sample array
• wherein, a current entropy slice of the plurality of entropy slices is entropy encoded along an entropy coding path using a first probability estimate by:
• initializing, during a starting phase of entropy encoding, the first probability estimate for the current entropy slice before encoding a first block of a current row corresponding to the current entropy slice based on a second probability estimate obtained after completing encoding of a second block of a previous row corresponding to a previous entropy slice of the plurality of entropy slices,
• wherein the first block is the left-most block of the current row and the second block is a block spatially adjoining and to the right of the left-most block of the previous row,
• wherein the current and previous rows are consecutive rows of the sample array, the previous row being spatially above the current row, and the entropy encoding of the previous entropy slice begins before the entropy encoding of the current entropy slice, and
• adapting, during a continuation phase of entropy encoding subsequent to the starting phase, the first probability estimate along the entropy coding path using a previously-encoded part of the current entropy slice.