Deblocking using sub-pel motion vector threshold

An apparatus for deblocking at least one vertical or horizontal boundary of a coding unit, wherein the vertical or horizontal boundary forms a first side and a second side of the coding unit, wherein a video picture comprises the coding unit, and wherein the first and second sides use a same reference picture, the apparatus comprising processing circuitry configured to:

• obtain a first motion vector component in the first side;
• obtain a second motion vector component in the second side;
• determine whether an absolute difference between the first motion vector component and the second motion vector component is equal to or larger than a predetermined threshold, wherein the predetermined threshold is N/16, where N is an integer greater than 0 and less than 16;
• and
• as a result of determining that the absolute difference between the first motion vector component and the second motion vector component is equal to or larger than the predetermined threshold, apply deblocking to the vertical or horizontal boundary between the first side and the second side, wherein
• the predetermined threshold is less than 1 sample.