A method of decoding multi-layer video data, the method comprising: receiving a value for a first syntax element representing whether a dependency type syntax element is signaled, wherein, when the dependency type syntax element is signaled, the dependency type syntax element identifies a type of dependency enabled for each layer of the multi-layer video data relative to each reference layer, the type of dependency identified by the dependency type syntax element being one of inter-layer sample prediction, inter-layer motion prediction, or a combination of inter-layer sample prediction and inter-layer motion prediction; if the value for the first syntax element indicates that the dependency type syntax element is signaled, receiving values for the dependency type syntax element, determining the type of dependency enabled for a current layer relative to a reference layer based on a respective value of the dependency type syntax element, and decoding a block of the current layer using inter-layer prediction conforming to the type of dependency; or if the value for the first syntax element indicates that the dependency type syntax element is not signaled, receiving a separately signaled indication of a single type of dependency that is the same for all combinations of current layers and reference layers, wherein the separately signaled indication indicates which one of inter-layer sample prediction, inter-layer motion prediction, or a combination of inter-layer sample prediction and inter-layer motion prediction, is the single type of dependency, and determining that a type of dependency of any current layer relative to a reference layer is the single type of dependency, and decoding a block of the current layer using inter-layer prediction conforming to the single type of dependency. receiving a value for a first syntax element representing whether a dependency type syntax element is signaled, wherein, when the dependency type syntax element is signaled, the dependency type syntax element identifies a type of dependency enabled for each layer of the multi-layer video data relative to each reference layer, the type of dependency identified by the dependency type syntax element being one of inter-layer sample prediction, inter-layer motion prediction, or a combination of inter-layer sample prediction and inter-layer motion prediction; if the value for the first syntax element indicates that the dependency type syntax element is signaled, receiving values for the dependency type syntax element, determining the type of dependency enabled for a current layer relative to a reference layer based on a respective value of the dependency type syntax element, and decoding a block of the current layer using inter-layer prediction conforming to the type of dependency; or if the value for the first syntax element indicates that the dependency type syntax element is not signaled, receiving a separately signaled indication of a single type of dependency that is the same for all combinations of current layers and reference layers, wherein the separately signaled indication indicates which one of inter-layer sample prediction, inter-layer motion prediction, or a combination of inter-layer sample prediction and inter-layer motion prediction, is the single type of dependency, and determining that a type of dependency of any current layer relative to a reference layer is the single type of dependency, and decoding a block of the current layer using inter-layer prediction conforming to the single type of dependency.