Video coding with large macroblocks

A device for decoding video data, the device comprising:

• a memory configured to store video data;
• and
• a video decoder in communication with the memory and configured to:
• decode one or more syntax elements associated with a sequence of pictures,
• wherein to decode the one or more syntax elements, the video decoder is configured to decode a first syntax element representative of the maximum size for the blocks of the sequence of pictures, and to decode a second syntax element representative of a minimum size for the blocks of the sequence of pictures,
• wherein values for the one or more syntax elements represent a range of sizes for blocks of the sequence of pictures, wherein the maximum size in the range of sizes is greater than 16×16 pixels;
• and
• decode at least one block of the blocks of the sequence of pictures, the at least one block having a size within the range of sizes represented by the values for the first and second syntax elements.

A device for decoding video data, the device comprising:

• means for decoding one or more syntax elements associated with a sequence of pictures comprising:
• means for decoding a first syntax element representative of the maximum size for the blocks of the sequence of pictures;
• and
• means for decoding a second syntax element representative of a minimum size for the blocks of the sequence of pictures,
• wherein values for the one or more syntax elements represent a range of sizes for blocks of the sequence of pictures, wherein the maximum size in the range of sizes is greater than 16×16 pixels;
• and
• means for decoding at least one block of the blocks of the sequence of pictures, the at least one block having a size within the range of sizes represented by the values for the first and second syntax elements.

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, cause a processor to:

• decode one or more syntax elements associated with a sequence of pictures, wherein the instructions that cause the processor to decode the one or more syntax elements comprise instructions that cause the processor to:
• decode a first syntax element representative of the maximum size for the blocks of the sequence of pictures;
• and
• decode a second syntax element representative of a minimum size for the blocks of the sequence of pictures,
• wherein values for the one or more syntax elements represent a range of sizes for blocks of the sequence of pictures, wherein the maximum size in the range of sizes is greater than 16×16 pixels;
• and
• decode at least one block of the blocks of the sequence of pictures, the at least one block having a size within the range of sizes represented by the values for the first and second syntax elements.

A method of encoding video data, the method comprising:

• encoding one or more syntax elements associated with a sequence of pictures comprising:
• encoding a first syntax element representative of the maximum size for the blocks of the sequence of pictures;
• and
• encoding a second syntax element representative of a minimum size for the blocks of the sequence of pictures,
• wherein values for the one or more syntax elements represent a range of sizes for blocks of the sequence of pictures, wherein the maximum size in the range of sizes is greater than 16×16 pixels;
• and
• encoding at least one block of the blocks of the sequence of pictures, the at least one block having a size within the range of sizes represented by the values for the first and second syntax elements.

A device for encoding video data, the device comprising:

• a memory configured to store video data;
• and
• a video encoder in communication with the memory and configured to:
• encode one or more syntax elements associated with a sequence of pictures, wherein to encode the one or more syntax elements, the video encoder is configured to encode a first syntax element representative of the maximum size for the blocks of the sequence of pictures, and to encode a second syntax element representative of a minimum size for the blocks of the sequence of pictures,
• wherein values for the one or more syntax elements represent a range of sizes for blocks of the sequence of pictures, wherein the maximum size in the range of sizes is greater than 16×16 pixels;
• and
• encode at least one block of the blocks of the sequence of pictures, the at least one block having a size within the range of sizes represented by the values for the first and second syntax elements.

A device for encoding video data, the device comprising:

• means for encoding one or more syntax elements associated with a sequence of pictures comprising:
• means for encoding a first syntax element representative of the maximum size for the blocks of the sequence of pictures;
• and
• means for encoding a second syntax element representative of a minimum size for the blocks of the sequence of pictures,
• wherein values for the one or more syntax elements represent a range of sizes for blocks of the sequence of pictures, wherein the maximum size in the range of sizes is greater than 16×16 pixels;
• and
• means for encoding at least one block of the blocks of the sequence of pictures, the at least one block having a size within the range of sizes represented by the values for the first and second syntax elements.

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, cause a processor to:

• encode one or more syntax elements associated with a sequence of pictures, wherein the instructions that cause the processor to encode the one or more syntax elements comprise instructions that cause the processor to:
• encode a first syntax element representative of the maximum size for the blocks of the sequence of pictures;
• and
• encode a second syntax element representative of a minimum size for the blocks of the sequence of pictures,
• wherein values for the one or more syntax elements represent a range of sizes for blocks of the sequence of pictures, wherein the maximum size in the range of sizes is greater than 16×16 pixels;
• and
• encode at least one block of the blocks of the sequence of pictures, the at least one block having a size within the range of sizes represented by the values for the first and second syntax elements.