Method and apparatus for video coding

An apparatus for video decoding, comprising:

• processing circuitry configured to:
• check an inferable condition for a flag of a specific prediction mode for a current block before parsing the flag of the specific prediction mode for the current block from a coded video bitstream, the specific prediction mode being one of a plurality of inter picture prediction modes, the inferable condition being based on whether the specific prediction mode and other modes in the plurality of inter prediction modes are allowed, the other modes being at a lower level than the specific prediction mode in a tree structure;
• infer the flag without parsing the flag from the coded video bitstream when the inferable condition indicates that the flag is inferable;
• parse the flag from the coded video bitstream when the inferable condition indicates uncertainty for inferring the flag;
• and
• reconstruct the current block according to the specific prediction mode when the flag is indicative of an application of the specific prediction mode on the current block.

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

• checking an inferable condition for a flag of a specific prediction mode for a current block before parsing the flag of the specific prediction mode for the current block from a coded video bitstream, the specific prediction mode being one of a plurality of inter picture prediction modes, the inferable condition being based on whether the specification prediction mode and other modes in the plurality of inter prediction modes are allowed, the other modes being at a lower level than the specific prediction mode in a tree structure;
• inferring the flag without parsing the flag from the coded video bitstream when the inferable condition indicates that the flag is inferable;
• parsing the flag from the coded video bitstream when the inferable condition indicates uncertainty for inferring the flag;
• and
• reconstructing the current block according to the specific prediction mode when the flag is indicative of an application of the specific prediction mode on the current block.