Method for encoding a current block (25, 33) of a first image (21, 31) relative to a reference block of a second image having at least one element in common with said first image (21, 31), the reference block (24, 32) having been previously encoded and then decoded, characterized in that the method comprises the steps of: - filtering the decoded reference block; - estimating, solely on the basis of the filtered decoded reference block, a value of a pixel characteristic of the filtered decoded reference block; - determining, on the basis of the estimated value: • encoding information for encoding the current block, the determined encoding information comprising either at least one encoding mode, or at least one encoding parameter associated with said encoding mode, or both of these, • a method of encoding the current block, the encoding method being: • if the estimated value is above a first predetermined threshold, a direct inheritance encoding method, in which the determined encoding information is used in its existing state to predict the current block, • if the estimated value is below the first predetermined threshold and above a second predetermined threshold, an indirect inheritance encoding method, in which the determined encoding information is made to compete with predetermined encoding information, according to an encoding performance criterion, in order to select the optimal encoding information to be used for predicting the current block, • otherwise, a method other than an inheritance encoding method; - on the basis of the estimated value, encoding the current block on the basis of the determined encoding information and according to the determined encoding method. - filtering the decoded reference block; - estimating, solely on the basis of the filtered decoded reference block, a value of a pixel characteristic of the filtered decoded reference block; - determining, on the basis of the estimated value: • encoding information for encoding the current block, the determined encoding information comprising either at least one encoding mode, or at least one encoding parameter associated with said encoding mode, or both of these, • a method of encoding the current block, the encoding method being: • if the estimated value is above a first predetermined threshold, a direct inheritance encoding method, in which the determined encoding information is used in its existing state to predict the current block, • if the estimated value is below the first predetermined threshold and above a second predetermined threshold, an indirect inheritance encoding method, in which the determined encoding information is made to compete with predetermined encoding information, according to an encoding performance criterion, in order to select the optimal encoding information to be used for predicting the current block, • otherwise, a method other than an inheritance encoding method; • encoding information for encoding the current block, the determined encoding information comprising either at least one encoding mode, or at least one encoding parameter associated with said encoding mode, or both of these, • a method of encoding the current block, the encoding method being: • if the estimated value is above a first predetermined threshold, a direct inheritance encoding method, in which the determined encoding information is used in its existing state to predict the current block, • if the estimated value is below the first predetermined threshold and above a second predetermined threshold, an indirect inheritance encoding method, in which the determined encoding information is made to compete with predetermined encoding information, according to an encoding performance criterion, in order to select the optimal encoding information to be used for predicting the current block, • otherwise, a method other than an inheritance encoding method; • if the estimated value is above a first predetermined threshold, a direct inheritance encoding method, in which the determined encoding information is used in its existing state to predict the current block, • if the estimated value is below the first predetermined threshold and above a second predetermined threshold, an indirect inheritance encoding method, in which the determined encoding information is made to compete with predetermined encoding information, according to an encoding performance criterion, in order to select the optimal encoding information to be used for predicting the current block, • otherwise, a method other than an inheritance encoding method; - on the basis of the estimated value, encoding the current block on the basis of the determined encoding information and according to the determined encoding method.