A device performs a hypothetical reference decoder (HRD) operation that determines conformance of a bitstream to a video coding standard or determines conformance of a video decoder to the video coding standard. As part of performing the HRD operation, the device determines a highest temporal identifier of a bitstream-subset associated with a selected operation point of the bitstream. Furthermore, as part of the HRD operation, the device determines, based on the highest temporal identifier, a particular syntax element from among an array of syntax elements. The device then uses the particular syntax element in the HRD operation.