Partial output of a decoded picture buffer in video coding

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for processing an encoded representation of a sequence of pictures are disclosed, wherein the method includes: a processor of a decoding apparatus allocating memory for one or more pictures in a decoded picture buffer, DPB; the processor receiving a bitstream comprising an encoded representation of a current picture, the encoded representation of the current picture comprising a plurality of decoding units, DUs, each of the plurality of DUs comprising an encoded set of pixels; the processor storing the plurality of DUs of the current picture in a coded picture buffer, CPB; the processor decoding the plurality of DUs into decoded DUs of the current picture and storing the decoded DUs in the allocated memory of the DPB, the processor executing at least one partial output during the decoding of the plurality of DUs of the current picture, the performing of the at least one partial output including: copying one or more of the decoded DUs from the DPB to a data sink before all of the plurality of DUs are decoded, the one or more decoded DUs representing one or more areas of pixels in the current picture; determining output information comprising information about the one or more areas of pixels that are copied to the data sink and information for identifying the current picture; providing access to the output information for use by an application or an application programming interface, API, outside the decoding apparatus.