IMAGE DECODING METHOD, IMAGE ENCODING METHOD, IMAGE DECODING DEVICE, IMAGE ENCODING DEVICE, PROGRAMME, AND INTEGRATED CIRCUIT

摘要

An image decoding method which can improve encoding efficiency decodes an encoding stream, which is generated by encoding a moving image along with inter-screen prediction, and which contains a plurality of processing units, and headers for the plurality of processing units. At least one processing unit among the plurality of processing units is layered; in the upper-most layer is a coding unit which is the largest processing unit; in a lower layer is a prediction unit; and the image decoding method analyses layer depth information which indicates a layer above the lowest layer having the smallest prediction unit and which is stored in the header, and thus specifies a layer which is the layer indicated by the layer depth information or a layer that is higher than said layer, and which has a prediction unit wherein an adaptive motion vector resolution alteration flag is stored (S101), and uses the adaptive motion vector resolution alteration flag to decode the prediction unit (S102).