US Patent 7738554 DC coefficient signaling at small quantization step sizes

Described tools and techniques relate to signaling for DC coefficients at small quantization step sizes. The techniques and tools can be used in combination or independently. For example, a tool such as a video encoder or decoder processes a VLC that indicates a DC differential for a DC coefficient, a FLC that indicates a value refinement for the DC differential, and a third code that indicates the sign for the DC differential. Even with the small quantization step sizes, the tool uses a VLC table with DC differentials for DC coefficients above the small quantization step sizes. The FLCs for DC differentials have lengths that vary depending on quantization step size.