The disclosure is directed to decoder-side region-of-interest (ROI) video processing. A video decoder determines whether ROI assistance information is available. If not, the decoder defaults to decoder-side ROI processing. The decoder-side ROI processing may estimate the reliability of ROI extraction in the bitstream domain. If ROI reliability is favorable, the decoder applies bitstream domain ROI extraction. If ROI reliability is unfavorable, the decoder applies pixel domain ROI extraction. The decoder may apply different ROI extraction processes for intra-coded (I) and inter-coded (P or B) data. The decoder may use color-based ROI generation for intra-coded data, and coded block pattern (CBP)-based ROI generation for inter-coded data. ROI refinement may involve shape-based refinement for intra-coded data, and motion- and color-based refinement for inter-coded data.