In step ST107, the image decoding apparatus performs a deblocking filter process. The deblocking filter 66 of the image decoding apparatus 50 performs a deblocking filter process on the image output from the operator 65. A block distortion is thus removed from the image. The decoded image from the deblocking filter 66 is output to the adaptive offset filter 67.
In step ST108, the image decoding apparatus performs an SAO process. The adaptive offset filter 67 of the image decoding apparatus 50 performs an SAO process on the image filtered by the deblocking filter 66, using a parameter relating to the SAO process supplied from the entropy decoding section 62. The adaptive offset filter 67 outputs the decoded image data after the SAO process to the adaptive loop filter 68.
In step ST109, the image decoding apparatus performs an adaptive loop filter process. The adaptive loop filter 68 of the image decoding apparatus 50 performs an adaptive loop filter process on the decoded image data after the SAO process has been performed thereon by the adaptive offset filter 67, and outputs the decoded image data after the filter process to the screen rearranging buffer 69 and the frame memory 71.
In step ST110, the image decoding apparatus performs a storing process. The frame memory 71 of the image decoding apparatus 50 stores therein the decoded image data before it is filtered that are supplied from the operator 65 and the decoded image data that are filtered by the deblocking filter 66, the adaptive offset filter 67, and the adaptive loop filter.