A method of decoding a syntax element for a current coding unit of video data is performed by an electronic apparatus. The electronic apparatus identifies, for the current coding unit, an above coding unit and a coding tree unit including the current coding unit. After determining that the above coding unit is within the coding tree unit, the electronic apparatus decodes, from a video bitstream, a corresponding syntax element for the current coding unit based, at least in part, on a syntax element associated with the above coding unit retrieved from a line buffer associated with the coding tree unit; otherwise, the electronic apparatus decodes, from the video bitstream, the corresponding syntax element for the current coding unit based, at least in part, on a default value assigned to the syntax element associated with the above coding unit.