An apparatus for decoding a bitstream corresponding to a coded video picture comprising a plurality of tile segments that co-exist with slices within the coded video picture such that the coded video picture is divided into the tile segments by tile segment boundaries and into slices by slice boundaries, the apparatus configured to perform operations comprising: in respect of at least one tile segment of the coded video picture not having an associated tile segment header, obtaining from a parameter set contained in the bitstream an indication that a sample adaptive offset operation is to be applied across tile segment boundaries of the coded video picture, wherein the indication from the parameter set is defined individually for the sample adaptive offset operation and a second indication in the parameter set is defined for a prediction tool, such that the indication in the parameter set for the sample adaptive offset operation is separate from the second indication in the parameter set for the prediction tool; in respect of at least one slice, obtaining from a slice header an indication that a sample adaptive offset operation is to be applied across a slice boundary, wherein the indication from the slice header is defined individually for the sample adaptive offset operation and a second indication in the slice header is defined for a prediction tool, such that the indication in the slice header for the sample adaptive offset operation is separate from the second indication in the slice header for the prediction tool; and controlling the sample adaptive offset operation across a tile segment boundary between tile segments in response to the indication from the parameter set and controlling the sample adaptive offset operation across the slice boundary in response to the indication from the slice header , wherein the coded video picture contains at least two tile segments without an associated segment header. in respect of at least one tile segment of the coded video picture not having an associated tile segment header, obtaining from a parameter set contained in the bitstream an indication that a sample adaptive offset operation is to be applied across tile segment boundaries of the coded video picture, wherein the indication from the parameter set is defined individually for the sample adaptive offset operation and a second indication in the parameter set is defined for a prediction tool, such that the indication in the parameter set for the sample adaptive offset operation is separate from the second indication in the parameter set for the prediction tool; in respect of at least one slice, obtaining from a slice header an indication that a sample adaptive offset operation is to be applied across a slice boundary, wherein the indication from the slice header is defined individually for the sample adaptive offset operation and a second indication in the slice header is defined for a prediction tool, such that the indication in the slice header for the sample adaptive offset operation is separate from the second indication in the slice header for the prediction tool; and controlling the sample adaptive offset operation across a tile segment boundary between tile segments in response to the indication from the parameter set and controlling the sample adaptive offset operation across the slice boundary in response to the indication from the slice header , wherein the coded video picture contains at least two tile segments without an associated segment header. <EOS>