A coding unit having a size multiple of three in horizontal or vertical direction is coded through one of several embodiments. In one embodiment, for some block sizes, the coding unit is coded and decoded systematically through SKIP mode. In another embodiment, the coding units can be coded in SKIP mode or with a DC coefficient. In another embodiment, an asymmetric division of a common coding unit parent is performed and transform coefficients are factorized among at least two sub-blocks to encode a coding unit. In another embodiment, a separable two dimensional transform can be applied by applying a transform over the block in one direction, and using two one- dimensional transforms on sub-blocks in the other direction to code. Methods, apparatus, and signal embodiments are provided for encoding and decoding.