A computer-implemented method comprising: with a video encoder, encoding data for given video to produce a bit stream of encoded data for the given video; generating multiple sets of reference decoder parameters for the bit stream, wherein each of the multiple sets comprises a rate parameter and a decoder buffer size parameter, wherein each of the multiple sets characterizes a leaky bucket model for the bit stream, the leaky bucket model for each of the multiple sets being further characterized by an initial decoder buffer fullness or initial buffer delay, and wherein, for each of the multiple sets of reference decoder parameters, the set of reference decoder parameters contains the bit stream such that there is no underflow of a decoder buffer of a reference decoder that operates according to the set of reference decoder parameters for decoding of the encoded data for the given video; providing the bit stream for delivery to one or more decoder devices for decoding the encoded data for the given video; providing a number value N along with the bit stream, wherein the number value N indicates how many sets of reference decoder parameters are in the multiple sets of reference decoder parameters; and providing the multiple sets of reference decoder parameters along with the bit stream to make each of the multiple sets of reference decoder parameters available for use in determination of a minimum buffer size or a minimum peak rate for decoding the encoded data for the given video, the determination including: 1) determining the buffer size from a given rate and one or more of the provided multiple sets of reference decoder parameters, or 2) determining the peak rate from a given buffer size and one or more of the provided multiple sets of reference decoder parameters. with a video encoder, encoding data for given video to produce a bit stream of encoded data for the given video; generating multiple sets of reference decoder parameters for the bit stream, wherein each of the multiple sets comprises a rate parameter and a decoder buffer size parameter, wherein each of the multiple sets characterizes a leaky bucket model for the bit stream, the leaky bucket model for each of the multiple sets being further characterized by an initial decoder buffer fullness or initial buffer delay, and wherein, for each of the multiple sets of reference decoder parameters, the set of reference decoder parameters contains the bit stream such that there is no underflow of a decoder buffer of a reference decoder that operates according to the set of reference decoder parameters for decoding of the encoded data for the given video; providing the bit stream for delivery to one or more decoder devices for decoding the encoded data for the given video; providing a number value N along with the bit stream, wherein the number value N indicates how many sets of reference decoder parameters are in the multiple sets of reference decoder parameters; and providing the multiple sets of reference decoder parameters along with the bit stream to make each of the multiple sets of reference decoder parameters available for use in determination of a minimum buffer size or a minimum peak rate for decoding the encoded data for the given video, the determination including: 1) determining the buffer size from a given rate and one or more of the provided multiple sets of reference decoder parameters, or 2) determining the peak rate from a given buffer size and one or more of the provided multiple sets of reference decoder parameters. 1) determining the buffer size from a given rate and one or more of the provided multiple sets of reference decoder parameters, or 2) determining the peak rate from a given buffer size and one or more of the provided multiple sets of reference decoder parameters.