NEIGHBOR MANAGEMENT FOR USE IN ENTROPY ENCODING AND METHODS FOR USE THEREWITH

An entropy coding module is provided for use in a video encoder that encodes a video input signal based on a plurality of macroblocks derived from the video input signal. The entropy coding module includes an entropy coder that generates entropy encoded data from discrete transformed coefficients for the plurality of macroblocks. A neighbor management module stores neighbor data for at least one macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks for retrieval by the entropy encoder, when operating on at least one neighboring macroblock of the plurality of macroblocks.