Video encoding/decoding methods, video encoding/decoding apparatuses, and programs therefor

A video encoding/decoding apparatus which encodes or decodes video using a loop filter,

• the loop filter being a filter which removes noise of a decoded image using an image processing method which performs template matching between a template which is a comparison source for a denoising target pixel in the decoded image and a template for each of search points which are search targets in a search shape in the decoded image, and removes noise of the target pixel using a weight in accordance with the degree of similarity between the templates and the weighted sum of pixel values at the search points,
• the apparatus comprising:
• a deviation degree calculating unit which calculates the degree of deviation between the target pixel and a surrounding pixel of the target pixel using the decoded image;
• and
• a template shape setting unit which limits a template shape so that the lower the degree of deviation relative to the maximum value of the degree of deviation in the decoded image is, the smaller the template shape is, using the degree of deviation as an index used for limiting the template shape of the templates.