Methods and apparatus for using syntax for the coded—block—flag syntax element and the code—block—pattern syntax element for the CAVLC 4:4:4 intra, high 4:4:4 intra, and high 4:4:4 predictive profiles in MPEG-4 AVC high level coding

A method, comprising:

• encoding image data into a resultant bitstream in accordance with an encoding profile that encodes a sample of the image data such that the sample includes two chrominance arrays and a luminance array, each of the two chrominance arrays having a same height and a same width as the luminance array;
• wherein said encoding step comprises indicating a presence of non-zero transform coefficients for at least one 8×8 block in the resultant bitstream using a first syntax element, and indicating a presence of non-zero transform coefficients for each of the two chrominance arrays and the luminance array of the at least one 8×8 block in the resultant bitstream using a second syntax element, and
• wherein said encoding step encodes the image data into the resultant bitstream in accordance with the encoding profile by performing a mapping process for a coded block pattern syntax element using a monochrome chroma array type;
• wherein the first syntax element indicates the presence of the at least one 8×8 block to permit selectively disabling an application of the Context Adaptive Binary Arithmetic Coding (CABAC) to the at least one 8×8 block by a decoder.

An apparatus, comprising:

• a decoder for decoding image data from a bitstream previously encoded in accordance with an encoding profile that encodes a sample of the image data such that the sample includes two chrominance arrays and a luminance array, each of the two chrominance arrays having a same height and a same width as the luminance array,
• wherein said decoder determines a presence of non-zero transform coefficients for at least one 8×8 block in the resultant bitstream using a first syntax element, and determines a presence of non-zero transform coefficients for each of the two chrominance arrays and the luminance array of the at least one 8×8 block in the resultant bitstream using a second syntax element, and
• wherein said decoder decodes the image data from the bitstream previously encoded in accordance with the encoding profile by performing a mapping process for a coded block pattern syntax element using a monochrome chroma array type;
• wherein the first syntax element indicates the presence of the at least one 8×8 block to permit selectively disabling an application of the Context Adaptive Binary Arithmetic Coding (CABAC) to the at least one 8×8 block by the decoder.

A method, comprising:

• decoding image data from a bitstream previously encoded in accordance with an encoding profile that encodes a sample of the image data such that the sample includes two chrominance arrays and a luminance array, each of the two chrominance arrays having a same height and a same width as the luminance array,
• wherein said decoding step comprises determining a presence of non-zero transform coefficients for at least one 8×8 block in the resultant bitstream using a first syntax element, and determining a presence of non-zero transform coefficients for each of the two chrominance arrays and the luminance array of the at least one 8×8 block in the resultant bitstream using a second syntax element and
• wherein said decoding step decodes the image data from the bitstream previously encoded in accordance with the encoding profile by performing a mapping process for a coded block pattern syntax element using a monochrome chroma array type;
• wherein the first syntax element indicates the presence of the at least one 8×8 block to permit selectively disabling an application of the Context Adaptive Binary Arithmetic Coding (CABAC) to the at least one 8×8 block by the decoder.

A non-transitory computer readable storage media having video signal data encoded thereupon, comprising:

• image data encoded into a resultant bitstream in accordance with an encoding profile that encodes a sample of the image data such that the sample includes two chrominance arrays and a luminance array, each of the two chrominance arrays having a same height and a same width as the luminance array,
• wherein a presence of non-zero transform coefficients for at least one 8×8 block in the resultant bitstream is indicated using a first syntax element, and a presence of non-zero transform coefficients for each of the two chrominance arrays and the luminance array of the at least one 8×8 block in the resultant bitstream is indicated using a second syntax element, and
• wherein the image data is encoded into the resultant bitstream in accordance with the encoding profile by performing a mapping process for a coded block pattern syntax element using a monochrome chroma array type;
• wherein the first syntax element indicates the presence of the at least one 8×8 block to permit selectively disabling an application of the Context Adaptive Binary Arithmetic Coding (CABAC) to the at least one 8×8 block by a decoder.