A computing device selects, from among a set of hypothetical reference decoder (HRD) parameters in a video parameter set and a set of HRD parameters in a sequence parameter set, a set of HRD parameters applicable to a particular operation point of a bitstream. The computing device performs, based at least in part on the set of HRD parameters applicable to the particular operation point, an HRD operation on a bitstream subset associated with the particular operation point.