A signaling of at least one characteristic for layers of a multi-layered video signal such as, for example, for each layer the indication of dependent layers to which the respective layer directly relates via inter-layer prediction, or the signaling of the afore-mentioned second inter-dependency syntax structure, is described. A maximum syntax element is signaled within the multi-layered video signal to indicate a maximally used value of an extension layer-ID field of the packets of the multi-layered video signal, the scope of the maximum syntax element being, for example, a predetermined portion of the multi-layered video signal extending, for example, across several portions of the multi-layered video signal. Accordingly, it is feasible for devices such as decoders or network elements receiving the multi-layered video signal to gain, for a relatively large predetermined portion of the multi-layered video signal, knowledge about the actually consumed portion of the possible domain of possible values signalizable by the extension layer-ID field and the at least one characteristic does not need to be signaled for each combination of base layer-ID field value and extension layer-ID field value, but rather it is sufficient to signal the at least one characteristic for a maximum number of layers determined based on the maximum assumed value. Accordingly, the at least one characteristic does not need to be transmitted/signalized for layers with a layer ID, the extension layer-ID of which does not occur within the predetermined portion of the multi- layered video signal. Beyond this, in accordance with a further embodiment, the knowledge of the maximally assumed value may be used to reduce the side information overhead for signaling the layer-ID of each portion, i.e. for reducing the bits needed to signal the extension layer-ID field within the multi-layered video signal's packets.