Method and apparatus for video coding

An apparatus for video decoding, comprising:

• processing circuitry configured to:
• decode prediction information for a current block in a current picture from a coded video bitstream, the prediction information being indicative of a prediction mode that is based on a merge candidate list;
• construct, in response to the prediction mode, the merge candidate list that includes at least a first block vector candidate with a reference picture being the current picture;
• add a new merge candidate that is calculated by averaging two candidates in the merge candidate list only when the new merge candidate is not a duplicate of any merge candidate in the merge candidate list, the new merge candidate being the duplicate when motion vectors of the new merge candidate being the same at some positions;
• determine, a predictor from the merge candidate list;
• and
• reconstruct at least a sample of the current block according to the determined predictor.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions which when executed by a computer for video decoding cause the computer to perform:

• decoding prediction information for a current block in a current picture from a coded video bitstream, the prediction information being indicative of a prediction mode that is based on a merge candidate list;
• constructing, in response to the prediction mode, the merge candidate list that includes at least a first block vector candidate with a reference picture being the current picture;
• adding a new merge candidate that is calculated by averaging two candidates in the merge candidate list only when the new merge candidate is not a duplicate of any merge candidate in the merge candidate list, the new merge candidate being the duplicate when motion vectors of the new merge candidate being the same at some positions;
• determining, a predictor from the merge candidate list;
• and
• reconstructing at least a sample of the current block according to the determined predictor.