In some embodiments, chroma quantization groups (chroma QGs) are defined in addition to luma quantization groups (luma QGs). A luma QG also encompasses one or more video data units, but is for specifying luma quantization parameters (luma QPs). In some embodiments, chroma QGs may overlap or encompass one or more luma QGs. In other words, different regions within a chroma QG may belong to different luma QGs and consequently have different luma QPs.
For some embodiments of the invention, FIG. 1 illustrates a hierarchical video coding structure 100 that includes chroma quantization groups (chroma QGs) with each having its own set of chroma QP offset specifications. The hierarchical video coding structure 100 includes several pictures 101-103. Among these, the picture 102 includes several slices 111-113. The slice 112 includes several chroma QGs 121-123. The picture 102 has a picture parameter set (PPS) 132 that includes a set of chroma QP offset specifications. The chroma QGs 121-123 are associated with chroma QP offset sets 141-143, respectively.