A method for video bitstream processing includes determining, by a processor, that a reconstructed representation of a current sample of video data is to be subject to a bilateral filter defined by one or more parameters based, at least in part, on a weighted sum of sample intensity differences (SDiff values) between a first window covering the current sample and a second window covering neighboring samples, wherein multiple sample intensity differences are assigned a same parameter from the one or more parameters; and applying the bilateral filter defined by the one or more parameters to the reconstructed representation of the current sample of the video data.