Parallel processing concepts such as wavefront parallel processing, are realized with a reduced end-to-end delay by giving up the usual slice concept according to which slices are either coded/decoded completely independent from areas of the picture outside of the respective slice, or at least independent from areas outside the respective slice as far as the entropy coding is concerned, namely in favor of slices of different modes, namely ones called dependent slices which allow for interdependencies across slice boundaries, and others which do not, called normal slices, for example. Combined with the aspect or not, WPP processing concept is made more efficiently by using the slices' start syntax portions to locate WPP entry points.