A method of decoding an encoded video bitstream using at least one processor includes obtaining a coded video sequence from the encoded video bitstream; obtaining a first syntax element indicating a number of a plurality of layers included in the coded video sequence; obtaining a second syntax element indicating whether the plurality of layers included in the coded video sequence are all independent layers; based on the first syntax element indicating that the number of the plurality of layers is greater than one, and the second syntax element indicating that the plurality of layers are not all the independent layers, obtaining a third syntax element indicating an output mode; determining the output mode based on the third syntax element; determining one or more output layers from among the plurality of layers based on the determined output mode; and outputting the one or more output layers.