Green metadata signaling

A method for processing video data, comprising:

• obtaining a bitstream;
• retrieving a granularity type syntax element associated with the bitstream, the granularity type syntax element specifying a type of granularity of one or more pictures over which complexity metrics (CM) associated with the bitstream are applicable;
• retrieving a period type syntax element associated with the bitstream, the period type syntax element indicating an upcoming period of time or a set of pictures over which the CM are applicable;
• and
• decoding a portion of the bitstream based on the granularity type syntax element and the period type syntax element.

An apparatus for processing video data, comprising:

• at least one memory;
• and
• at least one processor coupled to the at least one memory, the at least one processor being configured to:
• obtain video data;
• generate, for a bitstream, a granularity type syntax element specifying a type of granularity of one or more pictures over which complexity metrics (CM) associated with the bitstream are applicable;
• generate, for the bitstream, a period type syntax element associated with the bitstream, the period type syntax element indicating an upcoming period of time or a set of pictures over which the CM are applicable;
• generate the bitstream associated with the video data, the bitstream including the granularity type syntax element and the period type syntax element;
• and
• output the generated bitstream.