Method and system for reducing slice header parsing overhead in video coding

A method for decoding a slice of picture from a bit stream when weighted prediction is enabled for the slice, the method comprising:

• decoding a first sequence of luminance weight flags corresponding to a first plurality of reference pictures from the bit stream;
• decoding a first sequence of chrominance weight flags corresponding to the first plurality of reference pictures from the bit stream, wherein the encoded first sequence of chrominance weight flags follows the encoded first sequence of luminance weight flags in the bit stream;
• decoding luminance weighting factors for each luminance weight flag of the first sequence of luminance weight flags that is set to indicate weighted prediction of a luminance component of a corresponding reference picture is enabled, wherein the encoded luminance weighting factors follow the encoded first sequence of chrominance weight flags in the bit stream;
• and
• decoding chrominance weighting factors for each chrominance weight flag of the first sequence of chrominance weight flags that is set to indicate weighted prediction of chrominance components of a corresponding reference picture is enabled, wherein the encoded chrominance weighting factors follow the encoded luminance weighting factors in the bit stream.

A method for encoding a picture of a video sequence in a bit stream, the method comprising:

• determining weighted prediction parameters for a first plurality of reference pictures, wherein the weighted prediction parameters may be used for weighted prediction in encoding at least one slice of the picture, and wherein the weighting prediction parameters comprise first luminance weight flags, first luminance weighting factors, first chrominance weight flags, and first chrominance weighting factors for the first plurality of reference pictures;
• and
• signaling the weighted prediction parameters in a slice header in the bit stream, wherein signaling comprises:
• signaling the first luminance weight flags sequentially in the bit stream;
• signaling the first chrominance weight flags sequentially in the bit stream following the first luminance weight flags;
• signaling the first luminance weighting factors sequentially in the bit stream following the first chrominance weight flags;
• and
• signaling the first chrominance weighting factors sequentially in the bit stream following the first luminance weighting factors.