In an example, the disclosure provides for receiving a coded video sequence comprising encoded pictures of a video sequence and receiving timing parameters for the coded video sequence that include a time scale and a number of units in a clock tick at most once in a video parameter set (VPS) syntax structure referenced by the coded video sequence and at most once in a video usability information (VUI) part of a sequence parameter set (SPS) syntax structure referenced by the coded video sequence. Another example provides for encoding pictures of a video sequence to generate a coded video sequence and signaling timing parameters for the coded video sequence by at least in part signaling a time scale and a number of units in a clock tick at most once in a VPS syntax structure and at most once in a VUI part of a SPS syntax structure.