A decoder pipeline may include a decoding (prior to deblocking) stage followed by a deblocking stage. A memory can be coupled to the decoder pipeline. A decoded first macroblock can be output from the decoding stage directly into the deblocking stage, bypassing the memory, if a decoded second macroblock depended on to deblock the first macroblock is already deblocked. Otherwise, the decoded first macroblock is stored in the memory until the second macroblock is deblocked and available to deblock the first macroblock.