A method and apparatus for constructing weighted bi-directional predicted video pictures including locating first and second prediction regions in first and second reference frames, receiving first and second weight parameters related to the first and second prediction regions, where the weight parameters and weighting methodology used to encode the weight parameters can be from several different codec designs for weighted bi-directional prediction. Further including, modifying the weight parameters to conform to a bit configuration and weighting methodology, applying the weight parameters to the first and second prediction regions and combining them to form a weighted bi-directional predicted picture. The bit configuration being chosen to accommodate multiple encoded bit configurations and methodologies, where the encoded bit configurations and methodologies can differ in characteristics such as, for example, bit size, being signed or unsigned, and supporting offsets.