This disclosure describes techniques for signaling and processing information indicating simplified depth coding (SDC) for depth intra-prediction and depth inter-prediction modes in a 3D video coding process, such as a process defined by the 3D-HEVC extension to HEVC. In some examples, the disclosure describes techniques for unifying the signaling of SDC for depth intra-prediction and depth inter-prediction modes in 3D video coding. The signaling of SDC can be unified so that a video encoder or video decoder uses the same syntax element for signaling SDC for both the depth intra-prediction mode and the depth inter-prediction mode. Also, in some examples, a video coder may and/or process a residual value generated in the SDC mode using the same syntax structure, or same type of syntax structure, for both the depth intra-prediction mode and depth inter-prediction mode.