An object of the invention is to provide a method of adaptively applying an SAO to improve an picture reconstruction effect.
Another object of the invention is to provide a method of applying an SAO in consideration of an occurrence frequency of a pixel by intensity.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a method of transmitting information for applying an SAO to only an effective band from an encoder to a decoder.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a method of applying plural SAOs depending on an SAO application unit.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a method and a device for applying an SAO on chroma pixels so as to enhance a shape reconstruction effect.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a method of applying an SAO in consideration of characteristics of chroma pixels.
(1) According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a video information encoding method including the steps of: generating a reconstructed block; applying a deblocking filter to the reconstructed block; applying a sample adaptive offset (SAO) to the reconstructed block to which the deblocking filter has been applied; and transmitting information on the application of the SAO, wherein the step of applying the SAO includes adaptively applying the SAO depending on an SAO application region to which the SAO will be applied.