1. An apparatus comprising: an encoder for encoding at least one syntax data element related to at least two partitions of at least a portion of a picture, wherein the at least one syntax element is encoded by a plurality of successive coding loops including a first loop that encodes macroblock and sub macroblock coding modes as a first data class, wherein a later coding loop encodes a syntax data element of a second data class based on the coding modes, wherein reference picture information is conditionally encoded in a coding loop after the later coding loop based on the coding modes and the syntax data element of the second data class, wherein a use of the plurality of successive coding loops is enabled or disabled using at least one syntax data field in a high level syntax element.