rusty_h264-decoder 0.16.1

//! I_16x16 macroblock decoding — the mirror of the encoder's `mb16`.
//!
//! Parses each macroblock's residuals and reconstructs it with the exact same
//! prediction + inverse-transform helpers the encoder uses, so decoder output
//! matches encoder reconstruction bit-for-bit.
#![allow(clippy::needless_range_loop)]

#[allow(unused_imports)]
use alloc::borrow::ToOwned;
#[allow(unused_imports)]
use alloc::boxed::Box;
#[allow(unused_imports)]
use alloc::format;
#[allow(unused_imports)]
use alloc::string::{String, ToString};
#[allow(unused_imports)]
use alloc::vec;
#[allow(unused_imports)]
use alloc::vec::Vec;
use rusty_h264_common::bit_reader::OutOfData;
use rusty_h264_common::cavlc::{decode_residual_block_into, read_cbp_inter, read_cbp_intra};
use rusty_h264_common::inter::{
    inter_partitions, mc_chroma_padded, mc_luma_padded, predict_mv, predict_partition_mv,
    MvNeighbor,
};
use rusty_h264_common::predict::{
    add_residual_8x8, chroma8x8_pred, chroma_qp, intra4x4_pred, intra8x8_pred, luma16x16_pred,
    nnz_raster_from_z, reconstruct_4x4_dc_into, reconstruct_4x4_scan_into, I16Mode,
    CHROMA_4X4_SCAN_XY, LUMA_4X4_SCAN_XY,
};
use rusty_h264_common::transform::{
    inverse_quant_8x8_dq, inverse_quant_chroma_dc, inverse_quant_chroma_dc_weighted,
    inverse_quant_luma_dc_scan, Dequant8Qp, DequantQp, DQ8_FLAT, DQ_FLAT,
};
use rusty_h264_common::{BitReader, YuvFrame};

/// One frame's motion field, in 4x4-block raster (`mb_w*4` wide).
///
/// Captured from any conformant stream this decoder parses — including x264's —
/// so a harness can compare motion fields between encoders without depending on
/// external MV-export tooling.
pub struct MvField {
    pub mb_w: usize,
    pub mb_h: usize,
    pub mv: Vec<(i32, i32)>,
    pub ref_idx: Vec<i32>,
    pub inter: Vec<bool>,
}

/// Frames captured in decode order when `RFF_MV_DUMP=1`. Diagnostic only.
#[cfg(feature = "std")]
pub static MV_DUMP: crate::sync::Mutex<Vec<MvField>> = crate::sync::Mutex::new(Vec::new());

/// `RH264_DUMP_MB` -- the per-frame/per-slice conformance-bisection dump.
///
/// ROUTED AT BUILD TIME, like the rest of the knob inventory. It was a bare
/// `knob("RH264_DUMP_MB").is_some()` at four call sites, which is
/// `std::env::var` PLUS a String allocation on EVERY slice and every DPB add --
/// and it kept each dump body, with its `eprintln!` formatting machinery and
/// String building, compiled into the shipping decoder. `deblock` alone carried
/// four `Stderr::write_fmt`, four `panic_fmt` and thirteen alloc/free calls that
/// exist only for a dump nobody enables.
/// `RS_H264_ROUTE_DUMP` -- the per-picture content-route dump. Build-time routed
/// for the same reason as `dump_mb_on`.
pub(crate) fn route_dump_on() -> bool {
    #[cfg(not(feature = "knobs"))]
    {
        return false;
    }
    #[cfg(feature = "knobs")]
    {
        static ON: rusty_h264_common::once::OnceLock<bool> =
            rusty_h264_common::once::OnceLock::new();
        *ON.get_or_init(|| rusty_h264_common::knob("RS_H264_ROUTE_DUMP").is_some())
    }
}

pub(crate) fn dump_mb_on() -> bool {
    #[cfg(not(feature = "knobs"))]
    {
        return false;
    }
    #[cfg(feature = "knobs")]
    {
        static ON: rusty_h264_common::once::OnceLock<bool> =
            rusty_h264_common::once::OnceLock::new();
        *ON.get_or_init(|| rusty_h264_common::knob("RH264_DUMP_MB").is_some())
    }
}

pub fn mv_dump_on() -> bool {
    #[cfg(not(feature = "knobs"))]
    {
        return false;
    }
    #[cfg(feature = "knobs")]
    {
        static ON: rusty_h264_common::once::OnceLock<bool> =
            rusty_h264_common::once::OnceLock::new();
        *ON.get_or_init(|| rusty_h264_common::knob("RFF_MV_DUMP").map_or(false, |v| v != "0"))
    }
}

/// Copy filtered MB rows `[prev..mb_rows)` from coded-size planes into a
/// Frame-MT progress slot's live padded planes, then bump `ready_rows`.
/// Coarser publish: only advance the watermark every 2 MB rows (and always
/// on the last row) to cut lock/notify traffic.
fn publish_filtered_rows_to_slot(
    slot: &crate::RefFrame,
    rec_y: &[u8],
    rec_u: &[u8],
    rec_v: &[u8],
    cw: usize,
    ccw: usize,
    ch: usize,
    mb_rows: usize,
) {
    if mb_rows == 0 || slot.frozen.get().is_some() {
        return;
    }
    if !crate::row_publish_on() {
        return;
    }
    let mb_h = (ch + 15) / 16;
    // Batch: defer watermark until even MB rows (or picture end).
    if mb_rows < mb_h && (mb_rows & 1) != 0 {
        return;
    }
    let Some(live) = &slot.live else {
        slot.publish_ready_rows(mb_rows * 16);
        return;
    };
    let cch = ch / 2;
    let prev = slot.ready_rows.load(core::sync::atomic::Ordering::Acquire) / 16;
    if mb_rows <= prev {
        return;
    }
    let mut py = live.py.write().unwrap();
    let mut pu = live.pu.write().unwrap();
    let mut pv = live.pv.write().unwrap();
    let ls = cw + 2 * crate::LPAD;
    let cs = ccw + 2 * crate::CPAD;
    for mr in prev..mb_rows {
        for dy in 0..16 {
            let y = mr * 16 + dy;
            if y >= ch {
                break;
            }
            let src = &rec_y[y * cw..(y + 1) * cw];
            let dst_y = y + crate::LPAD;
            // ONE row segment covering pad+picture+pad, then `split_at_mut` and
            // two fills — the edge reads and the 2*LPAD writes were separate
            // whole-plane indexes. Same shape as `expand_plane`.
            let seg = &mut py[dst_y * ls..][..2 * crate::LPAD + cw];
            let (lpad, rest) = seg.split_at_mut(crate::LPAD);
            let (mid, rpad) = rest.split_at_mut(cw);
            mid.copy_from_slice(src);
            let (Some(&left), Some(&right)) = (mid.first(), mid.last()) else {
                continue;
            };
            lpad.fill(left);
            rpad[..crate::LPAD].fill(right);
        }
        for dy in 0..8 {
            let cy = mr * 8 + dy;
            if cy >= cch {
                break;
            }
            for (rec, plane) in [(rec_u, &mut *pu), (rec_v, &mut *pv)] {
                let src = &rec[cy * ccw..(cy + 1) * ccw];
                let dst_y = cy + crate::CPAD;
                let seg = &mut plane[dst_y * cs..][..2 * crate::CPAD + ccw];
                let (lpad, rest) = seg.split_at_mut(crate::CPAD);
                let (mid, rpad) = rest.split_at_mut(ccw);
                mid.copy_from_slice(src);
                let (Some(&left), Some(&right)) = (mid.first(), mid.last()) else {
                    continue;
                };
                lpad.fill(left);
                rpad[..crate::CPAD].fill(right);
            }
        }
    }
    if prev == 0 {
        // Copy the whole first picture ROW upward instead of walking columns:
        // `split_at_mut` at the pad boundary proves both sides at once.
        let (pad, rest) = py.split_at_mut(crate::LPAD * ls);
        if let Some(first) = rest.get(..ls) {
            for row in pad.chunks_mut(ls) {
                row.copy_from_slice(first);
            }
        }
        for plane in [&mut *pu, &mut *pv] {
            let (pad, rest) = plane.split_at_mut(crate::CPAD * cs);
            if let Some(first) = rest.get(..cs) {
                for row in pad.chunks_mut(cs) {
                    row.copy_from_slice(first);
                }
            }
        }
    }
    slot.publish_ready_rows(mb_rows * 16);
}

/// Reconstructed coded-size planes plus CAVLC `nnz` context grids.
pub struct FrameDecoder {
    mb_w: usize,
    mb_h: usize,
    /// Slice QP (`SliceQPy`) — the deblock filter's frame-level QP.
    qp: u8,
    /// Running luma QP (`QPy`), carried across macroblocks and stepped by each
    /// `mb_qp_delta` (spec §7.4.5). Equals `qp` on constant-QP streams.
    cur_qp: u8,
    /// `chroma_qp_index_offset` from the active PPS (§8.5.8).
    chroma_qp_offset: i32,
    cw: usize,
    ch: usize,
    ccw: usize,
    cch: usize,
    rec_y: Vec<u8>,
    rec_u: Vec<u8>,
    rec_v: Vec<u8>,
    /// Per-macroblock luma QP (`QPy`), for per-edge deblock strength.
    mb_qp: Vec<u8>,
    /// First macroblock address of the slice currently being decoded. Neighbors
    /// with a lower address belong to an earlier slice and are "not available"
    /// for prediction (spec §8.3/§8.4). Slices are contiguous raster ranges (we
    /// reject FMO/slice-groups), so address ≥ this ⇔ same slice.
    slice_first_mb: usize,
    nnz_y: Vec<u8>,
    nnz_c: [Vec<u8>; 2],
    modes_y: Vec<u8>,
    coded_y: Vec<bool>,
    /// Per-4×4-block List-0 motion (mv + ref index, `-1` = no L0). For P slices
    /// this is the only motion; B slices add the List-1 grids below.
    mv_y: Vec<(i32, i32)>,
    inter_y: Vec<bool>,
    ref_idx_y: Vec<i32>,
    /// Per-4×4-block List-1 motion for B slices (`ref_idx1 = -1` = no L1).
    mv1: Vec<(i32, i32)>,
    ref_idx1: Vec<i32>,
    /// `RefPicList1` and B-slice flags (unused outside B slices).
    refs1: Vec<crate::Ref>,
    num_ref_active1: usize,
    is_b: bool,
    /// True if the stream's profile permits B-slices (`profile_idc != 66`). When
    /// false (Baseline / Constrained Baseline), `as_reference_pooled` skips the per-block
    /// motion (mv/ref_idx/ref_poc) that only B temporal/spatial direct ever reads.
    b_possible: bool,
    direct_spatial: bool,
    nnz_l_cache: [u8; 25],
    nnz_c_cache: [[u8; 9]; 2],
    /// Decoded-picture buffer (most-recent first); empty in I-slices. `ref_idx`
    /// indexes into this list.
    refs: Vec<crate::Ref>,
    /// `num_ref_idx_l0_active` for the current slice — drives whether `ref_idx`
    /// is coded (active > 1) and its te(v)/ue(v) form, independently of how many
    /// reference pictures actually exist (spec §7.4.5.1, §9.1).
    num_ref_active: usize,
    /// `constrained_intra_pred_flag`: when set, intra prediction may only use
    /// samples from intra-coded neighbors (inter neighbors are "not available").
    constrained_intra: bool,
    /// High-profile 4×4 scaling matrices in **raster** order, indexed by
    /// `[Y-intra, Cb-intra, Cr-intra, Y-inter, Cb-inter, Cr-inter]`. `None` = flat.
    scaling: Option<[[i32; 16]; 6]>,
    /// High-profile 8×8 luma scaling matrices in raster order `[Y-intra, Y-inter]`
    /// (4:2:0 has only these two). `None` = flat.
    scaling8: Option<[[i32; 64]; 2]>,
    /// `transform_8x8_mode_flag` from the PPS: enables `transform_size_8x8_flag`.
    transform_8x8_mode: bool,
    /// SPS `qpprime_y_zero_transform_bypass_flag` — refusal gate in `step_qp`.
    transform_bypass: bool,
    /// GATE 1 router counters (big-oppy-decoder §2): skip MBs and
    /// residual-coded MBs this picture. Two integer adds per MB, no atomics.
    route_skip_mbs: u32,
    route_coded_mbs: u32,
    /// Per-slice `(first_mb, idc == 2)` in decode order — drives the
    /// `disable_deblocking_filter_idc == 2` cross-slice-edge suppression.
    slice_bounds: Vec<(usize, bool)>,
    /// The CURRENT slice's `disable_deblocking_filter_idc == 2`, latched by
    /// `set_deblock_params` and recorded per slice by the decode loops.
    cur_idc2: bool,
    /// Per-macroblock `transform_size_8x8_flag` (for deblocking: internal 4×4
    /// luma edges of 8×8-transform MBs are not filtered).
    mb_t8x8: Vec<bool>,
    // ---- Row-interleaved deblocking state (docs/row-interleave-plan.md) ----
    /// Per-MB boundary strengths, filled row-by-row as decode completes rows.
    bs_frame: Vec<rusty_h264_common::deblock::MbBs>,
    /// Rows whose bS is derived (watermark).
    bs_rows: usize,
    /// Rows already deblock-FILTERED (watermark; R3).
    flt_rows: usize,
    /// Two-row rolling window of packed records (prev = row r-1, cur = row r).
    pk_prev: Vec<rusty_h264_common::deblock::MbPack>,
    pk_cur: Vec<rusty_h264_common::deblock::MbPack>,
    /// Transform-block coded mask (nnz with the 8x8 OR applied), filled per row.
    nnz_dbr: Vec<u8>,
    /// Unfiltered bottom rows of the last-filtered MB row (intra reads these).
    bak_y: Vec<u8>,
    bak_u: Vec<u8>,
    bak_v: Vec<u8>,
    /// Entropy-decouple: deferred pixel jobs + the per-slice activation flag
    /// (CABAC slices only — the CAVLC loop has no flush hooks).
    edc_jobs: Vec<EdcJob>,
    /// Recycled job boxes (see `take_pinter_job`): a coded inter macroblock
    /// used to malloc, fill, memcpy and free a 2.8 KB box every time.
    edc_job_pool: Vec<Box<PInterJob>>,
    edc_nores_pool: Vec<Box<PInterNoResJob>>,
    /// Coefficient planes for the B and intra arms (which reconstruct inline,
    /// so no job carries them): taken for a macroblock, zeroed per CODED block
    /// by the parse, put back after recon. `None` only while in use.
    scratch_luma: Option<Box<[[i32; 16]; 16]>>,
    scratch_luma8: Option<Box<[[i32; 64]; 4]>>,
    scratch_cac: Option<Box<[[[i32; 16]; 4]; 2]>>,
    edc_active: bool,
    // ---- E2: the worker-thread plumbing (all None outside a threaded slice) ----
    edc_tx: Option<crate::sync::mpsc::SyncSender<EdcMsg>>,
    edc_ctx_rx: Option<crate::sync::mpsc::Receiver<PixelCtx>>,
    edc_back_tx: Option<crate::sync::mpsc::Sender<PixelCtx>>,
    /// While the parse thread holds the pixel context for an intra macroblock
    /// (planes moved into `self`), the rest of the context parks here.
    edc_parked: Option<PixelCtx>,
    /// E3: while parsing a B macroblock in threaded mode, its MC regions
    /// accumulate here instead of executing (the pixel side is the worker's).
    edc_regions: Option<Vec<BRegion>>,
    /// Measurement only: previous full-MB single-rect direct (x, y, refi0,
    /// refi1, m0, m1) for run-adjacency counting. No decode behavior.
    bsk_last: Option<(usize, usize, i32, i32, (i32, i32), (i32, i32))>,
    /// D10: jobs accumulated for the current row, sent as ONE message.
    edc_batch: Vec<EdcJob>,
    /// D12: bits/MB carried in from previous slices (0 = not yet known).
    bits_per_mb: f64,
    /// Current slice's deblock parameters (set per slice by the caller).
    db_ena: bool,
    db_oa: i32,
    db_ob: i32,
    /// Per-macroblock deblock derivation CLASS (`MB_KIND_*`), so the loop filter
    /// can skip the 24-block neighbourhood gather on macroblocks whose strengths
    /// are determined by syntax alone. Starts UNSET; anything left UNSET simply
    /// takes the blind path, so a missed producer site costs speed, not
    /// correctness. Only classes that are uniform BY SYNTAX are written — notably
    /// NOT `B_Skip`/`B_Direct`, whose direct-derived motion varies per 4×4.
    mb_kind: Vec<u8>,
    /// Explicit weighted-prediction tables, when active for this slice.
    weights: Option<WeightTable>,
    /// `frame_mt::row_progress_on()` cached at construction (see
    /// wait_refs_for_mb).
    row_wait: bool,
    /// Colocated-picture fast-probe cache (set_b_context): true when refs1[0]
    /// is frozen (1T), short-term, with motion grids — col_zero then skips
    /// the Option + live + long_term + w4 branch chain per probe.
    col_ok: bool,
    col_w4: usize,
    /// Measurement knobs cached at construction — these were OnceLock derefs
    /// on EVERY skip macroblock (no_bskipfast per B skip, no_runmv per P
    /// skip); one field test now.
    /// rowdb_on()/rowhook_eager() cached at construction — these were atomic
    /// loads inside row_hook_at on EVERY macroblock.
    /// MEASUREMENT KNOB, cached. `kind_loads()` is a `OnceLock` deref and was
    /// evaluated as a MATCH GUARD on every Skip/InterUniform macroblock in
    /// `derive_bs_row` — the dominant class. The census (DBSDERIVE kindarm=0 on
    /// 6/6 corpus streams) shows the arm it guards never fires by default, so
    /// every one of those derefs was pure tax. Same treatment `k_rowdb` /
    /// `k_roweager` already had.
    /// True once ANY macroblock in this picture used the 8x8 transform. The
    /// `nnz_dbr` row copy + the per-row t8 scan in `derive_bs_row` exist ONLY
    /// to apply the 8x8 coded-status OR; with no t8 macroblock `nnz_dbr` is a
    /// byte-for-byte copy of `nnz_y`, so both are skipped and the derivation
    /// reads `nnz_y` directly. Census: t8mb=0 on every cavlc/main stream.
    any_t8: bool,
    /// True once any slice in this picture carries
    /// `disable_deblocking_filter_idc == 2`. Replaces a per-ROW
    /// `slice_bounds.iter().any(..)` scan (census: idc2row=0 on the corpus).
    any_idc2: bool,
    /// Raster address whose P_Skip MV is FORCED (0,0): the previous
    /// decode_p_skip was at addr-1 and committed (0,0), so this MB's left
    /// neighbor either fires §8.4.1.1's zero-MV rule (in-slice: ref 0,
    /// (0,0)) or is unavailable (out-of-slice — same rule). Interior MBs of
    /// a skip run skip the 3-neighbor gather entirely.
    skip_zero_next: usize,
    /// Pending B_Skip grid+recon span: (mb row, x0, n, kind) of CONSECUTIVE
    /// fast B_Skips with IDENTICAL committed values, deferred and range-
    /// filled/band-reconned at flush. Flushed before ANY grid or pixel
    /// reader runs — see span_flush callers.
    bzspan: Option<(usize, usize, usize, BzKind)>,
    /// Pending P_Skip (0,0) grid-commit span — the P mirror of `bzspan`
    /// (values: ref 0 list-0, mv (0,0), inter, coded, DC mode, kind SKIP).
    /// The bool records whether the RECON is deferred too (1T, identity/no
    /// weights) — decided at push time, not re-derived at flush (begin_slice
    /// may have changed the fields in between).
    pzspan: Option<(usize, usize, usize, bool)>,
    /// Per-picture bitmap: MB decoded as a ref0/(0,0)-both-lists zero-bi fast
    /// B_Skip. Never cleared mid-picture — false only ever means "derive
    /// normally" — so no MB path carries a clearing duty.
    bzero: Vec<bool>,
    /// Pooled CABAC slice scratch — refilled (not reallocated) at slice entry;
    /// carried across pictures via `GridPool`. Taken out of `self` at
    /// `decode_slice_cabac_inner` entry and put back at its normal exit (an
    /// error exit simply forfeits the pooled allocation).
    sc_cat: Vec<u8>,
    sc_cbp: Vec<u8>,
    sc_cmode: Vec<i32>,
    sc_nzc: Vec<[u8; 24]>,
    sc_cbfdc: Vec<u16>,
    sc_skip: Vec<bool>,
    sc_ref: Vec<[i8; 16]>,
    sc_mvd: Vec<[[i16; 2]; 16]>,
    sc_ref1: Vec<[i8; 16]>,
    sc_mvd1: Vec<[[i16; 2]; 16]>,
    sc_direct: Vec<bool>,
    /// Lazily cached `implicit_weights(0, 0)` — slice-constant (POCs of
    /// refs[0]/refs1[0] and cur don't change within a slice). Reset in
    /// set_b_context.
    iw00: Option<Option<(i32, i32)>>,
    /// Cached `weights.list_identity(0)` — all list-0 refs identity; gates the
    /// whole weight_partition pass for P inter (one choke point, all sites).
    weights_l0id: bool,
    /// Cached `weights.ref0_identity()` — identity tables (the x264 weightp=2
    /// common case) make every ref-0 weighting pass an exact no-op, and the
    /// skip fast paths check this per MB, so it is computed once per slice.
    weights_id0: bool,
    /// Current picture's `PicOrderCnt` (for temporal direct + implicit weighting).
    cur_poc: i32,
    /// `weighted_bipred_idc` (0 = none/average, 1 = explicit, 2 = implicit).
    weighted_bipred_idc: u8,
    /// `direct_8x8_inference_flag` (B direct co-located sub-block selection).
    direct_8x8_inference: bool,
    /// Frame-MT Phase B: shared progress Arc for the picture being decoded.
    progress: Option<crate::Ref>,
    /// Slice-stable ref→POC tables for bS (≤16 entries). `derive_bs_row` used
    /// to `collect()` these every row — same values for the whole slice.
    ref_poc0: Vec<i32>,
    ref_poc1: Vec<i32>,
}

/// Explicit weighted-prediction tables (spec §7.4.3.2 / §8.4.2.3.2). Per
/// reference list, per ref index: a luma `(weight, offset)` and two chroma
/// `(weight, offset)` (Cb, Cr). `log2` denominators are shared.
#[derive(Clone, Default)]
pub struct WeightTable {
    pub luma_log2_denom: i32,
    pub chroma_log2_denom: i32,
    /// `[list][ref_idx] = (weight, offset)`.
    pub luma: [Vec<(i32, i32)>; 2],
    /// `[list][ref_idx][cb=0/cr=1] = (weight, offset)`.
    pub chroma: [Vec<[(i32, i32); 2]>; 2],
}

impl WeightTable {
    /// True when list-0 ref-0 carries identity weights (w == 1<<denom, offset 0)
    /// for luma and both chroma planes. x264's weightp=2 puts a pred_weight_table
    /// in EVERY P slice, but outside fades the entries are identity — and the
    /// identity weight is an EXACT no-op ((s*2^d + 2^(d-1))>>d + 0 == s), so a
    /// P_Skip recon may bypass the weighting pass byte-identically.
    fn ref0_identity(&self) -> bool {
        self.luma[0]
            .first()
            .is_some_and(|&(w, o)| w == 1 << self.luma_log2_denom && o == 0)
            && self.chroma[0].first().is_some_and(|c| {
                c.iter()
                    .all(|&(w, o)| w == 1 << self.chroma_log2_denom && o == 0)
            })
    }

    /// True when EVERY entry of `list` (all refs, luma + both chroma) is the
    /// identity weight — the x264 weightp=2 shape outside fades. Identity is
    /// an exact per-pixel no-op (see ref0_identity), so the whole per-ref
    /// weighting pass may be skipped for this list.
    fn list_identity(&self, list: usize) -> bool {
        self.luma[list]
            .iter()
            .all(|&(w, o)| w == 1 << self.luma_log2_denom && o == 0)
            && self.chroma[list].iter().all(|c| {
                c.iter()
                    .all(|&(w, o)| w == 1 << self.chroma_log2_denom && o == 0)
            })
    }

    /// Applies a single-list (uni-prediction) luma weight (spec §8.4.2.3.2).
    /// Resolves a list/ref slot's (weight, offset) ONCE. `list` is 0..1 and the
    /// fallback is the IDENTITY weight, which is what an absent entry means.
    #[inline]
    fn luma_wo(&self, list: usize, refi: usize) -> (i32, i32) {
        self.luma[list & 1]
            .get(refi)
            .copied()
            .unwrap_or((1 << self.luma_log2_denom, 0))
    }

    /// Ditto for chroma component `cc`.
    #[inline]
    fn chroma_wo(&self, list: usize, refi: usize, cc: usize) -> (i32, i32) {
        self.chroma[list & 1]
            .get(refi)
            .map(|c| c[cc & 1])
            .unwrap_or((1 << self.chroma_log2_denom, 0))
    }

    fn apply_luma(&self, sample: u8, list: usize, refi: usize) -> u8 {
        let (w, o) = self.luma_wo(list, refi);
        let lwd = self.luma_log2_denom;
        let v = if lwd >= 1 {
            ((sample as i32 * w + (1 << (lwd - 1))) >> lwd) + o
        } else {
            sample as i32 * w + o
        };
        v.clamp(0, 255) as u8
    }

    /// Applies a single-list (uni-prediction) chroma weight for component `cc`.
    fn apply_chroma(&self, sample: u8, list: usize, refi: usize, cc: usize) -> u8 {
        let (w, o) = self.chroma_wo(list, refi, cc);
        let cwd = self.chroma_log2_denom;
        let v = if cwd >= 1 {
            ((sample as i32 * w + (1 << (cwd - 1))) >> cwd) + o
        } else {
            sample as i32 * w + o
        };
        v.clamp(0, 255) as u8
    }
}

/// Why a macroblock could not be decoded.
#[derive(Debug, Clone, PartialEq, Eq)]
pub enum MbError {
    Truncated,
    Unsupported(&'static str),
}

impl From<OutOfData> for MbError {
    fn from(_: OutOfData) -> Self {
        MbError::Truncated
    }
}

/// Recycled per-picture scratch grids.
///
/// `FrameDecoder::new` used to allocate ~1.65 MB of frame-wide grids for EVERY
/// coded picture and drop them when the picture finished. The sampled profiler
/// prices that (stage `dec-setup`) at 6.7% of decode — larger than dequant,
/// reconstruct and intra prediction combined, and none of it is codec work.
///
/// Two costs are being paid, and the allocation is the bigger one. A ~460 KB
/// `Vec` goes straight to the OS, so every page is a fresh zero page and the
/// decoder takes a soft page fault on FIRST TOUCH of each 4 KB — a cost charged
/// to whatever per-macroblock stage happens to touch it first, not to the
/// allocation. Handing the same buffers back keeps the pages mapped and warm.
///
/// The initialising fill is NOT skipped: these grids are read as neighbour
/// context (`modes_y` must read 2/DC, `ref_idx_y` must read -1) before every
/// block that writes them, so a stale value from the previous picture is a
/// correctness bug, not a performance trade. `clear()` + `resize()` keeps the
/// fill and drops only the allocation.
///
/// The reconstruction planes are deliberately NOT pooled: `into_frame` MOVES
/// them out as the caller's output frame, so there is nothing to hand back.
#[derive(Default)]
pub struct GridPool {
    /// Deferred-job boxes carried across pictures (see `take_pinter_job`).
    job_pool: Vec<Box<PInterJob>>,
    nores_pool: Vec<Box<PInterNoResJob>>,
    /// D12: running bits-per-macroblock of decoded slices, the E2 dispatch's
    /// density signal. Lives here because `GridPool` is the only state that
    /// survives a picture (`FrameDecoder` is rebuilt per picture).
    bits_per_mb: f64,
    mb_qp: Vec<u8>,
    bs_frame: Vec<rusty_h264_common::deblock::MbBs>,
    pk_prev: Vec<rusty_h264_common::deblock::MbPack>,
    pk_cur: Vec<rusty_h264_common::deblock::MbPack>,
    nnz_dbr: Vec<u8>,
    bak_y: Vec<u8>,
    bak_u: Vec<u8>,
    bak_v: Vec<u8>,
    nnz_y: Vec<u8>,
    nnz_c0: Vec<u8>,
    nnz_c1: Vec<u8>,
    modes_y: Vec<u8>,
    coded_y: Vec<bool>,
    mv_y: Vec<(i32, i32)>,
    inter_y: Vec<bool>,
    ref_idx_y: Vec<i32>,
    mv1: Vec<(i32, i32)>,
    ref_idx1: Vec<i32>,
    mb_t8x8: Vec<bool>,
    mb_kind: Vec<u8>,
    bzero: Vec<bool>,
    // CABAC slice scratch (D13 follow-through): these were fresh `vec![..]`
    // allocations at EVERY slice entry — ~407 KB per P slice, ~700 KB per B
    // slice at 720p, the same fresh-page class GridPool exists to kill.
    sc_cat: Vec<u8>,
    sc_cbp: Vec<u8>,
    sc_cmode: Vec<i32>,
    sc_nzc: Vec<[u8; 24]>,
    sc_cbfdc: Vec<u16>,
    sc_skip: Vec<bool>,
    sc_ref: Vec<[i8; 16]>,
    sc_mvd: Vec<[[i16; 2]; 16]>,
    sc_ref1: Vec<[i8; 16]>,
    sc_mvd1: Vec<[[i16; 2]; 16]>,
    sc_direct: Vec<bool>,
    // D24 (inline-execution.md 11.10): the ref-POC mirrors were the only
    // per-picture Vecs NOT recycled - a fresh alloc + collect per picture each.
    ref_poc0: Vec<i32>,
    ref_poc1: Vec<i32>,
}

/// Reuse `v`'s allocation for `n` copies of `val`. Identical OBSERVABLE result to
/// `vec![val; n]`; differs only in that it reuses the existing allocation when the
/// capacity already suffices.
#[inline]
fn refill<T: Clone>(mut v: Vec<T>, n: usize, val: T) -> Vec<T> {
    v.clear();
    v.resize(n, val);
    v
}

impl FrameDecoder {
    /// Non-pooled ctor — tests only; production always enters via `with_pool`
    /// (`GridPool` recycling, see lib.rs).
    #[cfg(test)]
    pub fn new(
        mb_w: usize,
        mb_h: usize,
        qp: u8,
        chroma_qp_offset: i32,
        refs: Vec<crate::Ref>,
        num_ref_active: usize,
        constrained_intra: bool,
        transform_8x8_mode: bool,
        b_possible: bool,
    ) -> Self {
        Self::with_pool(
            mb_w,
            mb_h,
            qp,
            chroma_qp_offset,
            refs,
            num_ref_active,
            constrained_intra,
            transform_8x8_mode,
            b_possible,
            GridPool::default(),
        )
    }

    /// As `new`, but reusing a previous picture's grid allocations. See `GridPool`.
    #[allow(clippy::too_many_arguments)]
    pub fn with_pool(
        mb_w: usize,
        mb_h: usize,
        qp: u8,
        chroma_qp_offset: i32,
        refs: Vec<crate::Ref>,
        num_ref_active: usize,
        constrained_intra: bool,
        transform_8x8_mode: bool,
        b_possible: bool,
        pool: GridPool,
    ) -> Self {
        let (cw, ch) = (mb_w * 16, mb_h * 16);
        let (ccw, cch) = (cw / 2, ch / 2);
        let bits_per_mb = pool.bits_per_mb;
        let ref_poc0 = {
            let mut v = pool.ref_poc0;
            v.clear();
            v.extend(refs.iter().map(|f| f.pic_poc()));
            v
        };
        Self {
            mb_w,
            mb_h,
            qp,
            cur_qp: qp,
            chroma_qp_offset,
            cw,
            ch,
            ccw,
            cch,
            rec_y: vec![0; cw * ch],
            rec_u: vec![0; ccw * cch],
            rec_v: vec![0; ccw * cch],
            mb_qp: refill(pool.mb_qp, mb_w * mb_h, qp),
            slice_first_mb: 0,
            nnz_y: refill(pool.nnz_y, (mb_w * 4) * (mb_h * 4), 0),
            nnz_c: [
                refill(pool.nnz_c0, (mb_w * 2) * (mb_h * 2), 0),
                refill(pool.nnz_c1, (mb_w * 2) * (mb_h * 2), 0),
            ],
            modes_y: refill(pool.modes_y, (mb_w * 4) * (mb_h * 4), 2),
            coded_y: refill(pool.coded_y, (mb_w * 4) * (mb_h * 4), false),
            mv_y: refill(pool.mv_y, (mb_w * 4) * (mb_h * 4), (0, 0)),
            inter_y: refill(pool.inter_y, (mb_w * 4) * (mb_h * 4), false),
            ref_idx_y: refill(pool.ref_idx_y, (mb_w * 4) * (mb_h * 4), -1),
            mv1: refill(pool.mv1, (mb_w * 4) * (mb_h * 4), (0, 0)),
            ref_idx1: refill(pool.ref_idx1, (mb_w * 4) * (mb_h * 4), -1),
            refs1: Vec::new(),
            num_ref_active1: 0,
            is_b: false,
            b_possible,
            direct_spatial: true,
            nnz_l_cache: [0x80; 25],
            nnz_c_cache: [[0x80; 9]; 2],
            refs,
            num_ref_active,
            constrained_intra,
            scaling: None,
            scaling8: None,
            transform_8x8_mode,
            transform_bypass: false,
            route_skip_mbs: 0,
            route_coded_mbs: 0,
            slice_bounds: Vec::new(),
            cur_idc2: false,
            mb_t8x8: refill(pool.mb_t8x8, mb_w * mb_h, false),
            bs_frame: refill(pool.bs_frame, mb_w * mb_h, Default::default()),
            bs_rows: 0,
            flt_rows: 0,
            pk_prev: {
                let mut v = pool.pk_prev;
                v.clear();
                v
            },
            pk_cur: {
                let mut v = pool.pk_cur;
                v.clear();
                v
            },
            nnz_dbr: refill(pool.nnz_dbr, (mb_w * 4) * (mb_h * 4), 0),
            bak_y: refill(pool.bak_y, cw, 0),
            bak_u: refill(pool.bak_u, ccw, 0),
            bak_v: refill(pool.bak_v, ccw, 0),
            edc_jobs: Vec::new(),
            edc_job_pool: pool.job_pool,
            edc_nores_pool: pool.nores_pool,
            scratch_luma: None,
            scratch_luma8: None,
            scratch_cac: None,
            edc_active: false,
            edc_tx: None,
            edc_ctx_rx: None,
            edc_back_tx: None,
            edc_parked: None,
            edc_regions: None,
            bsk_last: None,
            edc_batch: Vec::new(),
            bits_per_mb,
            db_ena: false,
            db_oa: 0,
            db_ob: 0,
            mb_kind: refill(
                pool.mb_kind,
                mb_w * mb_h,
                rusty_h264_common::deblock::MB_KIND_UNSET,
            ),
            weights: None,
            row_wait: crate::row_progress_on(),
            col_ok: false,
            col_w4: 0,
            any_t8: false,
            any_idc2: false,
            skip_zero_next: usize::MAX,
            bzero: refill(pool.bzero, mb_w * mb_h, false),
            sc_cat: pool.sc_cat,
            sc_cbp: pool.sc_cbp,
            sc_cmode: pool.sc_cmode,
            sc_nzc: pool.sc_nzc,
            sc_cbfdc: pool.sc_cbfdc,
            sc_skip: pool.sc_skip,
            sc_ref: pool.sc_ref,
            sc_mvd: pool.sc_mvd,
            sc_ref1: pool.sc_ref1,
            sc_mvd1: pool.sc_mvd1,
            sc_direct: pool.sc_direct,
            bzspan: None,
            pzspan: None,
            iw00: None,
            weights_id0: false,
            weights_l0id: false,
            cur_poc: 0,
            weighted_bipred_idc: 0,
            direct_8x8_inference: false,
            progress: None,
            ref_poc0,
            ref_poc1: {
                let mut v = pool.ref_poc1;
                v.clear();
                v
            },
        }
    }

    fn refresh_ref_pocs(&mut self) {
        self.ref_poc0.clear();
        self.ref_poc0.extend(self.refs.iter().map(|f| f.pic_poc()));
        self.ref_poc1.clear();
        self.ref_poc1.extend(self.refs1.iter().map(|f| f.pic_poc()));
    }

    /// Frame-MT Phase B: attach the shared progress Arc for row watermarks.
    pub fn set_progress_slot(&mut self, slot: crate::Ref) {
        self.progress = Some(slot);
    }

    /// Wait until every L0/L1 ref has enough ready luma rows for MB row `mb_y`
    /// (pad conservatively for MV overshoot).
    #[inline(always)]
    fn wait_refs_for_mb(&self, mb_y: usize) {
        // Cached at construction: in 1T (row-progress off, the default) this
        // is one field test instead of a fn call + OnceLock read per MB.
        if !self.row_wait {
            return;
        }
        let need = crate::RefFrame::rows_needed_for_mb(mb_y, self.ch);
        crate::RefFrame::set_mc_row_need(mb_y, self.ch);
        for r in self.refs.iter().chain(self.refs1.iter()) {
            // Only pay the wait when the ref may still be in-flight (Phase B).
            if r.live.is_some() && r.frozen.get().is_none() {
                r.wait_ready_rows(need);
            }
        }
    }

    fn publish_progress(&mut self) {
        let Some(slot) = &self.progress else {
            return;
        };
        // Under EDC the worker publishes (PixelCtx::publish_progress_rows).
        if self.edc_tx.is_some() {
            return;
        }
        // Cached field, not the knob function: this runs per ROW.
        if !rowdb_on() || !self.db_ena || self.flt_rows == 0 {
            return;
        }
        publish_filtered_rows_to_slot(
            slot,
            &self.rec_y,
            &self.rec_u,
            &self.rec_v,
            self.cw,
            self.ccw,
            self.ch,
            self.flt_rows,
        );
    }

    /// Sets the explicit weighted-prediction tables for this slice.
    pub fn set_weights(&mut self, weights: WeightTable) {
        self.weights_id0 = weights.ref0_identity();
        self.weights_l0id = weights.list_identity(0);
        self.weights = Some(weights);
    }

    /// Applies explicit uni-prediction weighting to a motion-compensated partition
    /// (luma `pred_y` region + the two chroma planes), if weighting is active.
    /// `list` is the reference list and `refi` the partition's reference index.
    fn weight_partition(
        &self,
        pred_y: &mut [u8; 256],
        c_pred: &mut [[u8; 64]; 2],
        list: usize,
        refi: usize,
        rx: usize,
        ry: usize,
        rw: usize,
        rh: usize,
    ) {
        let Some(wt) = &self.weights else { return };
        // Identity list-0 table (x264 weightp=2 outside fades): the whole pass
        // is an exact per-pixel no-op — skip it. RS_H264_NO_SKIPFP restores it
        // for paired A/B (same knob family as the P_Skip weight skip).
        if list == 0 && self.weights_l0id && !no_skipfp() {
            edcstat::bump(&edcstat::WP_SKIPPED, 1);
            return;
        }
        // REFUTED, reverted: row-slicing these loops measured +28% instructions
        // on `weight_partition` (the extents are runtime values, so the slice
        // bounds cost more than the per-sample checks they replaced). The real
        // win for this function was hoisting the identity test to its CALLERS,
        // which stands.
        // RESOLVE ONCE, APPLY MANY. `apply_luma` re-read `self.luma[list][refi]`
        // — an array index, a Vec deref and an element index, two of them bounds
        // checked — on EVERY sample, up to 256 luma plus 128 chroma per call.
        // The weight is a property of the partition, not of the pixel. (The loop
        // SHAPE is untouched: row-slicing it is refuted above.)
        // MASKED, not row-sliced. `pred_y` is a fixed `[u8; 256]` and `c_pred` a
        // `[[u8; 64]; 2]`, so `& 255` / `& 63` are no-ops that prove the index
        // outright — where SLICING these loops cost +28% (the extents are runtime
        // values, so the slice bounds outweigh the checks). Same lesson as
        // `luma_centre`: the refutation was of one SHAPE, not of the goal.
        let (lw, lo) = wt.luma_wo(list, refi);
        weight_block(pred_y, 16, rx, ry, rw, rh, lw, lo, wt.luma_log2_denom);
        let (crx, cry, crw, crh) = (rx / 2, ry / 2, rw / 2, rh / 2);
        for cc in 0..2 {
            let (cw, co) = wt.chroma_wo(list, refi, cc);
            weight_block(
                &mut c_pred[cc & 1],
                8,
                crx,
                cry,
                crw,
                crh,
                cw,
                co,
                wt.chroma_log2_denom,
            );
        }
    }

    /// Sets the High-profile scaling matrices (raster order: six 4×4 lists, two
    /// 8×8 luma lists). The caller un-zig-zags the SPS lists. Flat is the default.
    /// GATE 1 router counters: (skip MBs, residual-coded MBs) this picture.
    pub fn route_counters(&self) -> (u32, u32) {
        (self.route_skip_mbs, self.route_coded_mbs)
    }

    /// SPS `qpprime_y_zero_transform_bypass_flag` — see [`Self::step_qp`].
    pub fn set_transform_bypass(&mut self, on: bool) {
        self.transform_bypass = on;
    }

    pub fn set_scaling(&mut self, scaling: [[i32; 16]; 6], scaling8: [[i32; 64]; 2]) {
        self.scaling = Some(scaling);
        self.scaling8 = Some(scaling8);
    }

    /// Dequantizes a 4×4 AC block with scaling list `list` (flat if none active).
    /// Per-(qp, list) dequant constants for the fused scan-order kernel: the flat
    /// table at zero cost, or the scaling-list build once per macroblock.
    #[inline]
    fn dq_const(&self, qp: u8, list: usize) -> DequantQp {
        match &self.scaling {
            Some(s) => DequantQp::weighted(qp, &s[list]),
            None => DQ_FLAT[(qp as usize).min(51)],
        }
    }

    /// Single-coefficient twin of `dequant` for position 0 (DC-only fast path).
    fn dequant_dc4(&self, level: i32, qp: u8, list: usize) -> i32 {
        rusty_h264_common::transform::dequantize_dc4(
            level,
            qp,
            self.scaling.as_ref().map(|s| s[list][0]),
        )
    }

    /// Inverse-quantizes a chroma DC block with scaling list `list`'s DC weight.
    fn dequant_chroma_dc(&self, levels: &[i32; 4], qp: u8, list: usize) -> [i32; 4] {
        match &self.scaling {
            Some(s) => inverse_quant_chroma_dc_weighted(levels, qp, s[list][0]),
            None => inverse_quant_chroma_dc(levels, qp),
        }
    }

    /// Sets the B-slice context for the slice about to be decoded: `RefPicList1`,
    /// its active count, and the direct-mode flag.
    #[allow(clippy::too_many_arguments)]
    pub fn set_b_context(
        &mut self,
        refs1: Vec<crate::Ref>,
        num_ref_active1: usize,
        direct_spatial: bool,
        cur_poc: i32,
        weighted_bipred_idc: u8,
        direct_8x8_inference: bool,
    ) {
        self.is_b = true;
        self.refs1 = refs1;
        self.num_ref_active1 = num_ref_active1;
        self.direct_spatial = direct_spatial;
        self.cur_poc = cur_poc;
        self.weighted_bipred_idc = weighted_bipred_idc;
        self.direct_8x8_inference = direct_8x8_inference;
        self.iw00 = None; // slice-scoped cache: lists/POC may have changed
                          // Colocated fast-probe cache (see col_zero / col_zero_fast).
        self.col_ok = self
            .refs1
            .first()
            .is_some_and(|c| c.live.is_none() && !c.long_term && c.w4 != 0);
        self.col_w4 = self.refs1.first().map_or(0, |c| c.w4);
        self.refresh_ref_pocs();
    }

    /// Cached `implicit_weights(0, 0)` — constant within a slice.
    fn iw00(&mut self) -> Option<(i32, i32)> {
        // Read the discriminant ONCE. The `is_none()` + `unwrap()` pair tested it
        // twice and carried an `unwrap_failed` path for a value this very function
        // had just written. `get_or_insert_with` cannot be used here: the closure
        // would need `&mut self` while the `Option` is already borrowed.
        match self.iw00 {
            Some(v) => v,
            None => {
                let v = if self.refs.is_empty() || self.refs1.is_empty() {
                    None
                } else {
                    self.implicit_weights(0, 0)
                };
                self.iw00 = Some(v);
                v
            }
        }
    }

    /// Steps the running luma QP by a `mb_qp_delta` (spec §7.4.5, 8-bit depth):
    /// `QPy = (QPy_prev + delta + 52) % 52`.
    /// Steps QPy by `mb_qp_delta` (spec §7.4.5 modulo). Called exactly for
    /// residual-coded macroblocks (mb_qp_delta presence ⇔ cbp != 0 or I_16x16),
    /// which makes it the one chokepoint for the transform-bypass refusal:
    /// with `qpprime_y_zero_transform_bypass_flag` set and QP'Y == 0 the
    /// residual is LOSSLESS-bypassed (no transform, no quant — and DPCM intra
    /// forms), which this decoder does not implement. Refusing here is loud
    /// and exact: all-PCM lossless streams (no mb_qp_delta) still decode.
    fn step_qp(&mut self, delta: i32) -> Result<(), MbError> {
        // Router counter: step_qp fires exactly once per residual-coded MB.
        self.route_coded_mbs += 1;
        self.cur_qp = (self.cur_qp as i32 + delta + 52).rem_euclid(52) as u8;
        if self.transform_bypass && self.cur_qp == 0 {
            return Err(MbError::Unsupported(
                "transform-bypass (lossless) macroblock",
            ));
        }
        Ok(())
    }

    /// Maps a luma QP to its chroma QP, applying `chroma_qp_index_offset`
    /// (spec §8.5.8): `QPc = qpc_table(Clip3(0, 51, QPy + offset))`.
    fn chroma_qp_for(&self, qp_y: u8) -> u8 {
        let qpi = (qp_y as i32 + self.chroma_qp_offset).clamp(0, 51) as u8;
        chroma_qp(qpi)
    }

    /// Resets per-slice state before decoding a continuation slice of the same
    /// picture: the running QP (each slice carries its own `slice_qp`) and the
    /// reference list (each slice may reorder it).
    pub fn begin_slice(&mut self, slice_qp: u8, refs: Vec<crate::Ref>, num_ref_active: usize) {
        self.cur_qp = slice_qp;
        self.qp = slice_qp;
        self.refs = refs;
        self.num_ref_active = num_ref_active;
        self.weights = None; // re-set per slice if a pred_weight_table is present
        self.weights_id0 = false;
        self.weights_l0id = false;
        self.refresh_ref_pocs();
    }

    /// Whether the neighbor macroblock at `(nbx, nby)` is in the slice currently
    /// being decoded (address ≥ the slice's first MB). For single-slice pictures
    /// `slice_first_mb == 0`, so this is always true and prediction is unchanged.
    #[inline]
    fn nbr_in_slice(&self, nbx: usize, nby: usize) -> bool {
        nby * self.mb_w + nbx >= self.slice_first_mb
    }

    /// Whether the neighbor 4×4 block at `(nbx, nby)` may contribute to intra
    /// prediction. With `constrained_intra_pred`, an inter-coded neighbor is
    /// treated as unavailable (spec §8.3.1.2.{1,2}); otherwise always usable.
    #[inline]
    fn intra_nbr_ok(&self, nbx: usize, nby: usize) -> bool {
        // Fallible read: this is inlined at eleven sites across the intra paths,
        // and `constrained_intra` short-circuits it on nearly every stream, so
        // the check was pure tax on a value that is usually never loaded.
        // `unwrap_or(true)` is the conservative direction — an out-of-range
        // neighbour reads as inter, i.e. UNAVAILABLE, which is what the
        // constrained-intra rule means by a neighbour it cannot use.
        !self.constrained_intra
            || !self
                .inter_y
                .get(nby * (self.mb_w * 4) + nbx)
                .copied()
                .unwrap_or(true)
    }

    fn mv_neighbors(&self, mb_x: usize, mb_y: usize) -> [MvNeighbor; 3] {
        let w4 = self.mb_w * 4;
        let get = |avail: bool, bx: isize, by: isize| {
            if avail {
                let idx = by as usize * w4 + bx as usize;
                match (self.mv_y.get(idx), self.ref_idx_y.get(idx)) {
                    (Some(&m), Some(&r)) => MvNeighbor {
                        available: true,
                        mv: m,
                        ref_idx: r,
                    },
                    _ => MvNeighbor::NONE,
                }
            } else {
                MvNeighbor::NONE
            }
        };
        let (bx, by) = (mb_x as isize * 4, mb_y as isize * 4);
        let a = get(mb_x > 0 && self.nbr_in_slice(mb_x - 1, mb_y), bx - 1, by);
        let b = get(mb_y > 0 && self.nbr_in_slice(mb_x, mb_y - 1), bx, by - 1);
        let c = if mb_y > 0 && mb_x + 1 < self.mb_w && self.nbr_in_slice(mb_x + 1, mb_y - 1) {
            get(true, bx + 4, by - 1)
        } else {
            get(
                mb_x > 0 && mb_y > 0 && self.nbr_in_slice(mb_x - 1, mb_y - 1),
                bx - 1,
                by - 1,
            )
        };
        [a, b, c]
    }

    fn mv_neighbors_block(&self, pbx: isize, pby: isize, pwb: isize) -> [MvNeighbor; 3] {
        let _g = rusty_h264_common::prof::scope(rusty_h264_common::prof::Stage::Neighbors);
        self.mv_neighbors_block_grid(pbx, pby, pwb, 0)
    }

    fn skip_mv(&self, mb_x: usize, mb_y: usize) -> (i32, i32) {
        let [a, b, c] = self.mv_neighbors(mb_x, mb_y);
        if !a.available
            || !b.available
            || (a.ref_idx == 0 && a.mv == (0, 0))
            || (b.ref_idx == 0 && b.mv == (0, 0))
        {
            (0, 0)
        } else {
            predict_mv(a, b, c, 0)
        }
    }

    fn set_mb_mv(&mut self, mb_x: usize, mb_y: usize, mv: (i32, i32), inter: bool, refi: i32) {
        // ROW FILLS. This wrote all sixteen cells of three grids one indexed
        // store at a time - FORTY-EIGHT separate bounds checks per call - and
        // re-evaluated `if inter` inside the inner loop. Each macroblock row is
        // four CONTIGUOUS cells, so twelve `fill`s cover it.
        let w4 = self.mb_w * 4;
        let r = if inter { refi } else { -1 };
        for dy in 0..4 {
            let a = (mb_y * 4 + dy) * w4 + mb_x * 4;
            self.mv_y[a..a + 4].fill(mv);
            self.inter_y[a..a + 4].fill(inter);
            self.ref_idx_y[a..a + 4].fill(r);
        }
    }

    /// Commit one inter partition's motion into the 4×4 grid (ref 0, 1-ref P).
    /// `(rx,ry,rw,rh)` are MB-relative luma pixels; committing before the next
    /// partition's prediction is what lets a later partition predict from it.
    fn commit_inter_grid(
        &mut self,
        mb_x: usize,
        mb_y: usize,
        rx: usize,
        ry: usize,
        rw: usize,
        rh: usize,
        mv: (i32, i32),
        refi: i8,
    ) {
        // Row-range fills instead of the per-4x4 scatter: partitions are
        // rectangles, so each grid row is one contiguous run (same values).
        let w4 = self.mb_w * 4;
        let (bx0, bw) = (mb_x * 4 + rx / 4, rw / 4);
        for by in ry / 4..ry / 4 + rh / 4 {
            let a = (mb_y * 4 + by) * w4 + bx0;
            self.mv_y[a..a + bw].fill(mv);
            self.inter_y[a..a + bw].fill(true);
            self.ref_idx_y[a..a + bw].fill(refi as i32);
            self.coded_y[a..a + bw].fill(true);
        }
    }

    /// Per-slice deblock parameters, needed DURING decode by the row-interleave
    /// path. `ena` is already resolved against `RFF_ABL_DEBLOCK` by the caller.
    pub fn set_deblock_params(&mut self, ena: bool, oa: i32, ob: i32, idc2: bool) {
        // Latch: the FIRST disabling slice turns row filtering off for the rest
        // of the picture (see `row_hook`); rows already filtered stay counted
        // in `flt_rows` and the picture-end tail handles the remainder.
        self.db_ena = ena && (self.flt_rows == 0 || self.db_ena);
        self.db_oa = oa;
        self.db_ob = ob;
        self.cur_idc2 = idc2;
    }

    /// Slice index owning `addr` (slices are raster-contiguous, bounds ascending).
    fn slice_of(&self, addr: usize) -> usize {
        match self.slice_bounds.binary_search_by(|&(f, _)| f.cmp(&addr)) {
            Ok(i) => i,
            Err(i) => i - 1,
        }
    }

    /// Derives bS for macroblock row `r` from the just-decoded (hot) grids into
    /// `bs_frame`, maintaining the two-row rolling record window (R2 of
    /// docs/row-interleave-plan.md).
    fn derive_bs_row(&mut self, r: usize) {
        // bS derivation reads the motion/nnz grids — flush deferred spans.
        self.span_flush();
        // Same stage label the in-filter derivation used, so profiles keep
        // pricing bS derivation wherever it lives.
        let _g = rusty_h264_common::prof::scope(rusty_h264_common::prof::Stage::DebDerive);
        use rusty_h264_common::deblock::{
            derive_mb_kind, derive_mb_records, pack_mb, BlockInfo, MbBs, MbKind,
        };
        let (mb_w, w4) = (self.mb_w, self.mb_w * 4);
        edcstat::bump(&edcstat::DBS_ROWS, 1);
        // Transform-block coded mask for this row: raw nnz, then the 8x8 OR for
        // t8 macroblocks (spec §8.7: the 8x8 transform's coded status is per 8x8).
        //
        // T8 GATE. `nnz_dbr` exists ONLY to carry that OR. With no 8x8
        // macroblock anywhere in the picture it is a byte-for-byte copy of
        // `nnz_y`, so both the 4-row copy and the per-row scan below are pure
        // work: the derivation reads `nnz_y` directly instead. Census
        // (DBSDERIVE) measured t8mb=0 on EVERY cavlc and main stream while
        // nnz_rowcopy ran 10800-16320 sub-rows per decode.
        if self.any_t8 {
            for br in r * 4..r * 4 + 4 {
                let a = br * w4;
                self.nnz_dbr[a..a + w4].copy_from_slice(&self.nnz_y[a..a + w4]);
            }
            edcstat::bump(&edcstat::DBS_NNZ_ROWCOPY, 4);
            // WHOLE-MACROBLOCK ROW SLICES. The 2x2-of-2x2 nest did sixteen
            // bounds-checked reads and sixteen bounds-checked writes per t8
            // macroblock; the same cells are four contiguous runs of four, so
            // four slice reads and four slice writes cover them. The OR is over
            // bytes, so `a | b | c | d > 0` is exactly the old per-cell `> 0`.
            let t8_row_pre = &self.mb_t8x8[r * mb_w..][..mb_w];
            for mb_x in 0..mb_w {
                if !t8_row_pre[mb_x] {
                    continue;
                }
                edcstat::bump(&edcstat::DBS_T8MB, 1);
                let base = r * 4 * w4 + mb_x * 4;
                let mut src = [[0u8; 4]; 4];
                for (k, row) in src.iter_mut().enumerate() {
                    row.copy_from_slice(&self.nnz_y[base + k * w4..][..4]);
                }
                let mut out = [[0u8; 4]; 4];
                for b8 in 0..4usize {
                    let (cx, cy) = ((b8 % 2) * 2, (b8 / 2) * 2);
                    let any =
                        (src[cy][cx] | src[cy][cx + 1] | src[cy + 1][cx] | src[cy + 1][cx + 1]) > 0;
                    for sy in 0..2 {
                        for sx in 0..2 {
                            out[cy + sy][cx + sx] = any as u8;
                        }
                    }
                }
                for (k, row) in out.iter().enumerate() {
                    self.nnz_dbr[base + k * w4..][..4].copy_from_slice(row);
                }
            }
        }
        let info = BlockInfo {
            inter: &self.inter_y,
            nnz: if self.any_t8 {
                &self.nnz_dbr
            } else {
                &self.nnz_y
            },
            mv: &self.mv_y,
            ref_id: &self.ref_idx_y,
            mv1: &self.mv1,
            ref_id1: if self.ref_poc1.is_empty() {
                &[]
            } else {
                &self.ref_idx1
            },
            w4,
            t8x8: &self.mb_t8x8,
            bs: &[],
            poc0: &self.ref_poc0,
            poc1: &self.ref_poc1,
            kind: &self.mb_kind,
        };
        let has1 = !info.ref_id1.is_empty();
        core::mem::swap(&mut self.pk_prev, &mut self.pk_cur);
        self.pk_cur.clear();
        // WIN: read the knob at the USE SITE, not through the struct field.
        //  is  under cfg(not(knobs)), so LLVM folds
        // this to a constant and the kind-loads arm below becomes dead -- which
        // is what finally lets  (1543 instrs of Skip/InterUniform/
        // Inter gathering the decoder never runs) leave the decode binary.
        // Storing a build-time-constant knob in a FIELD erases the constant:
        // the field is a runtime value and every arm it guards stays live.
        let kl = kind_loads();
        // Census gate resolved ONCE per row: `edcstat::on()` is a relaxed atomic
        // load and LLVM will not CSE atomic loads, so a per-MB bump costs a load
        // each. Same rule as hoisting an A/B arm selector out of the loop under
        // test (codec-measurement 15).
        let stats = edcstat::on();
        // ROW SLICES for the three per-macroblock grids. Each was indexed
        // `r * mb_w + mb_x` against a whole-FRAME Vec, which the compiler
        // cannot prove in range; sliced to THIS row, `[mb_x]` is provably
        // `< mb_w`. These are disjoint FIELDS of `self`, so the `&mut` on
        // `bs_frame` coexists with the `&` borrows `info` holds.
        let row0 = r * mb_w;
        let bs_row = &mut self.bs_frame[row0..][..mb_w];
        let t8_row = &self.mb_t8x8[row0..][..mb_w];
        let kind_row: &[u8] = if self.mb_kind.is_empty() {
            &[]
        } else {
            &self.mb_kind[row0..][..mb_w]
        };
        for mb_x in 0..mb_w {
            // Always pack: UNSET / Inter neighbours in this row and the next
            // read left/top MbPack. Kind stores MbBs directly (no i32 hop).
            self.pk_cur.push(pack_mb(&info, has1, mb_x, r));
            if stats {
                edcstat::bump(&edcstat::DBS_MB, 1);
            }
            // KIND ECONOMICS ON THE PACKED PATH: derive_mb_kind(Skip) does 9
            // fresh strided Blk::loads per MB, but pack_mb already ran for this
            // MB (the line above) — the packed `_` arm derives from those
            // records with no further gathers. A B_Skip kind experiment
            // measured kind-arm 1.8% SLOWER (z=-2.69) with +1.07M loads, so
            // Skip/InterUniform route to the packed arm; Intra keeps the kind
            // arm (pure constants, no loads). `RS_H264_KIND_LOADS=1` restores
            // the old routing for paired A/B.
            match kind_row.get(mb_x).copied().and_then(MbKind::from_u8) {
                Some(MbKind::Intra) => {
                    if stats {
                        edcstat::bump(&edcstat::DBS_INTRA, 1);
                    }
                    // WIN: intra strengths are a constant table keyed on availability;
                    // asking derive_mb_kind for them dragged its whole gathering body
                    // (Skip/InterUniform/Inter, 1654 instrs) into the decode binary,
                    // even though the only other arm that calls it is guarded by a
                    // build-time false knob.
                    bs_row[mb_x] = rusty_h264_common::deblock::intra_mb_bs(mb_x, r);
                }
                Some(k @ (MbKind::Skip | MbKind::InterUniform)) if kl => {
                    if stats {
                        edcstat::bump(&edcstat::DBS_KINDARM, 1);
                    }
                    bs_row[mb_x] = derive_mb_kind(&info, mb_x, r, k);
                }
                _ => {
                    let Some(cur) = self.pk_cur.get(mb_x) else {
                        continue;
                    };
                    let left = if mb_x > 0 {
                        self.pk_cur.get(mb_x - 1)
                    } else {
                        None
                    };
                    let top = if r > 0 { self.pk_prev.get(mb_x) } else { None };
                    let mb_t8 = t8_row[mb_x];
                    let (mut bv, mut bh) = ([[0i32; 4]; 4], [[0i32; 4]; 4]);
                    rusty_h264_common::deblock::census_note_packed();
                    let flat = derive_mb_records(cur, left, top, mb_t8, &mut bv, &mut bh);
                    if stats {
                        edcstat::bump(&edcstat::DBS_PACKED, 1);
                    }
                    // MEASUREMENT ONLY: sizes the `kind_loads()` match guard that
                    // used to be a OnceLock deref here (now `k_kindloads`).
                    if stats
                        && matches!(
                            // WIN: kind_row is already this row of mb_kind, proven in range
                            // above, so [mb_x] needs no whole-frame bounds check. Identical
                            // when mb_kind is empty: kind_row is &[] and both answer None.
                            kind_row.get(mb_x).copied().and_then(MbKind::from_u8),
                            Some(MbKind::Skip | MbKind::InterUniform)
                        )
                    {
                        edcstat::bump(&edcstat::DBS_KINDGUARD, 1);
                    }
                    // FLAT-AWARE NARROWING. `derive_mb_records` returns early on a
                    // flat inter macroblock having written ONLY edge 0 of each
                    // orientation; edges 1..4 are still the caller's zero-init, so
                    // widening all 32 entries copies 24 known zeros onto 24 known
                    // zeros - after a `MbBs::default()` that zeroed them a third
                    // time. Census DBSDERIVE flat: 96.8% screen_text, 90.2%
                    // FourPeople, 82.1% akiyo - the dominant class.
                    let m = if flat {
                        if stats {
                            edcstat::bump(&edcstat::DBS_FLAT, 1);
                        }
                        debug_assert!(bv[1..] == [[0i32; 4]; 3] && bh[1..] == [[0i32; 4]; 3]);
                        let mut m = MbBs::default();
                        m.v[0] = core::array::from_fn(|sg| bv[0][sg] as u8);
                        m.h[0] = core::array::from_fn(|sg| bh[0][sg] as u8);
                        m
                    } else {
                        // Written once, not zeroed by `default()` and then written.
                        MbBs {
                            v: core::array::from_fn(|e| core::array::from_fn(|sg| bv[e][sg] as u8)),
                            h: core::array::from_fn(|e| core::array::from_fn(|sg| bh[e][sg] as u8)),
                        }
                    };
                    // MEASUREMENT ONLY: `on()` first, so the 32-byte compare
                    // never runs in a shipped decode (it is not otherwise needed
                    // here — the consumer in filter_frame_rows makes it).
                    if stats && m.v == [[0u8; 4]; 4] && m.h == [[0u8; 4]; 4] {
                        edcstat::bump(&edcstat::DBS_ALLZERO, 1);
                    }
                    bs_row[mb_x] = m;
                }
            }
        }
        // disable_deblocking_filter_idc == 2 (spec §7.4.3): a slice may forbid
        // filtering ITS macroblocks' edges against OTHER slices. bS = 0 on the
        // crossing MB edges kills exactly those filters; interior edges keep
        // their derived strengths. Guarded so single-slice / idc 0-1 pictures
        // pay one branch per row.
        if self.any_idc2 && self.slice_bounds.len() > 1 {
            edcstat::bump(&edcstat::DBS_IDC2ROW, 1);
            for mb_x in 0..mb_w {
                let slot = r * mb_w + mb_x;
                let si = self.slice_of(slot);
                if !self.slice_bounds.get(si).is_some_and(|b| b.1) {
                    continue;
                }
                if mb_x > 0 && self.slice_of(slot - 1) != si {
                    if let Some(b) = self.bs_frame.get_mut(slot) {
                        b.v[0] = [0; 4];
                    }
                }
                if r > 0 && self.slice_of(slot - mb_w) != si {
                    if let Some(b) = self.bs_frame.get_mut(slot) {
                        b.h[0] = [0; 4];
                    }
                }
            }
        }
    }

    /// Decode-loop hook: called at each MB-loop head with the NEXT address to be
    /// decoded; derives AND FILTERS (R3) every fully-decoded row. Filtering a
    /// row here preserves the spec's raster per-MB filter order exactly (every
    /// MB the row's edges touch is already decoded; bottom-adjacent edges
    /// belong to the NEXT row's MBs, which filter later).
    ///
    /// Fast path: mid-row heads (`done <= bs_rows`) do no row work — return
    /// before the profiler scope (this hook is entered once per MB; scoping
    /// every call was measuring the timer, not the filter).
    /// row_hook with the caller's carried row — avoids the per-MB division.
    #[inline(always)]
    fn row_hook_at(&mut self, addr: usize, mby: usize) {
        if rowdb_on() {
            // ~44/45 of calls are mid-row: one compare, no atomic loads.
            if !rowhook_eager() && mby <= self.bs_rows {
                return;
            }
        }
        self.row_hook(addr, mby);
    }

    /// `mby` is the row `addr` sits in. It is a PARAMETER rather than
    /// `addr / self.mb_w` because both callers already carry it: the slice loops
    /// track `(mbx, mby)` with a compare-and-wrap precisely so the per-macroblock
    /// div+mod never runs, and this hook -- entered PER MACROBLOCK on the
    /// non-rowdb arm -- was reconstructing it with an integer divide anyway.
    fn row_hook(&mut self, addr: usize, mby: usize) {
        debug_assert_eq!(mby, addr / self.mb_w, "row_hook: mby must be addr's row");
        // `RS_H264_ROWHOOK_EAGER=1` restores per-MB profiler scoping (A/B oracle).
        // READ THE KNOB FUNCTIONS, NOT THE CACHED FIELDS. The old note here said
        // the functions cost a OnceLock deref plus a relaxed atomic load per
        // entry; that was true BEFORE the routing round, and is not true now --
        // they are `return false` under cfg(not(knobs)), i.e. a constant. Going
        // through a struct FIELD erases that constant, because the field is a
        // runtime value, and every arm the knob guards then stays live in the
        // binary. That is what kept `derive_mb_kind` (1543 instrs the decoder
        // never runs) linked in until the same change was made for kind_loads.
        let eager = rowhook_eager();
        if !rowdb_on() {
            edcstat::bump(&edcstat::MBS, 1);
            let _rh = rusty_h264_common::prof::scope(rusty_h264_common::prof::Stage::DecRowHook);
            self.edc_flush();
            let done = mby;
            if done > self.bs_rows {
                self.bs_rows = done;
                self.publish_progress();
            }
            return;
        }
        let done = mby;
        // ~44/45 of calls are mid-row: no derive/filter/handoff yet.
        if !eager && done <= self.bs_rows {
            return;
        }
        edcstat::bump(&edcstat::MBS, 1);
        let _rh = rusty_h264_common::prof::scope(rusty_h264_common::prof::Stage::DecRowHook);
        if done <= self.bs_rows {
            return;
        }
        if self.edc_tx.is_some() {
            // E2: derivation stays here (it reads the syntax grids); filtering
            // is the worker's, fed the row's bs/qp/t8 snapshot. `flt_rows`
            // advances on the worker and comes home with the context.
            self.edc_giveback();
            while self.bs_rows < done {
                let r = self.bs_rows;
                self.derive_bs_row(r);
                self.bs_rows += 1;
                let base = r * self.mb_w;
                // ORDER: this row's pixel jobs must reach the worker BEFORE the
                // filter message for the same row.
                self.edc_flush_batch();
                edcstat::bump(&edcstat::ROWS, 1);
                edcstat::bump(
                    &edcstat::ROWBYTES,
                    (self.mb_w * (core::mem::size_of::<rusty_h264_common::deblock::MbBs>() + 2))
                        as u64,
                );
                let msg = EdcMsg::Row {
                    r,
                    bs: self.bs_frame[base..base + self.mb_w].to_vec(),
                    qp: self.mb_qp[base..base + self.mb_w].to_vec(),
                    t8: self.mb_t8x8[base..base + self.mb_w].to_vec(),
                };
                self.edc_tx
                    .as_ref()
                    .unwrap()
                    .send(msg)
                    .expect("worker alive");
            }
            return;
        }
        self.edc_flush();
        while self.bs_rows < done {
            let r = self.bs_rows;
            self.derive_bs_row(r);
            self.bs_rows += 1;
            // Row filtering requires deblock enabled on EVERY slice so far
            // (`db_ena` latches false once any slice disables it): a mixed
            // picture falls back to the picture-end tail so "latest slice
            // wins" semantics are preserved.
            if self.db_ena {
                self.save_bak(r);
                self.filter_row(r);
                self.flt_rows = r + 1;
            }
            self.publish_progress();
        }
    }

    /// Saves the UNFILTERED bottom pixel rows of MB row `r` before filtering
    /// modifies them: the next row's intra prediction must read pre-deblock
    /// samples (spec §8.3), and filtering touches the bottom three rows while
    /// intra reads exactly the bottom ONE (+ the corner) — so one backup row
    /// per plane suffices, overwritten per row.
    fn save_bak(&mut self, r: usize) {
        let y0 = (r * 16 + 15) * self.cw;
        self.bak_y.copy_from_slice(&self.rec_y[y0..y0 + self.cw]);
        let c0 = (r * 8 + 7) * self.ccw;
        self.bak_u.copy_from_slice(&self.rec_u[c0..c0 + self.ccw]);
        self.bak_v.copy_from_slice(&self.rec_v[c0..c0 + self.ccw]);
    }

    /// Filters one MB row against the stored strengths, using the CURRENT
    /// slice's alpha/beta offsets (single-offset streams — the whole corpus —
    /// are bit-identical to the picture-end call; the plan's risk register
    /// documents the multi-offset divergence).
    fn filter_row(&mut self, r: usize) {
        let info = rusty_h264_common::deblock::BlockInfo {
            inter: &self.inter_y,
            // Same source `derive_bs_row` used (see the T8 GATE there). This
            // path passes a non-empty `bs`, so it takes the PRECOMPUTED arm and
            // never reads `nnz` at all; kept in step so the two cannot diverge.
            nnz: if self.any_t8 {
                &self.nnz_dbr
            } else {
                &self.nnz_y
            },
            mv: &self.mv_y,
            ref_id: &self.ref_idx_y,
            mv1: &self.mv1,
            ref_id1: &self.ref_idx1,
            w4: self.mb_w * 4,
            t8x8: &self.mb_t8x8,
            bs: &self.bs_frame,
            poc0: &[],
            poc1: &[],
            kind: &self.mb_kind,
        };
        rusty_h264_common::deblock::filter_frame_rows_pre(
            &mut self.rec_y,
            &mut self.rec_u,
            &mut self.rec_v,
            self.mb_w,
            self.mb_h,
            r..r + 1,
            &self.mb_qp,
            self.chroma_qp_offset,
            self.db_oa,
            self.db_ob,
            &info,
        );
    }

    /// Top-neighbour LUMA pixel for intra prediction: reads the unfiltered
    /// backup row when the row above has already been deblock-filtered by the
    /// row-interleave (flt_rows gates it; 0 when the interleave is off, so
    /// this compiles to the plain read on the fallback path).
    #[inline]
    fn top_y_px(&self, py: usize, x: usize) -> u8 {
        // 128 is the spec's value for an unavailable sample (1 << (BitDepth - 1),
        // §8.3.1.2), so the fallback is the one the prediction rules already use
        // — and unreachable anyway, since callers gate on availability first.
        if py % 16 == 0 && self.flt_rows * 16 >= py {
            self.bak_y.get(x).copied().unwrap_or(128)
        } else {
            self.rec_y
                .get((py - 1) * self.cw + x)
                .copied()
                .unwrap_or(128)
        }
    }

    /// Slice form of [`Self::top_y_px`] for the contiguous 16-wide I16 gather.
    #[inline]
    fn top_y_row(&self, py: usize, x: usize, n: usize) -> &[u8] {
        if py % 16 == 0 && self.flt_rows * 16 >= py {
            &self.bak_y[x..x + n]
        } else {
            &self.rec_y[(py - 1) * self.cw + x..][..n]
        }
    }

    /// Top-neighbour CHROMA pixel (plane `c`: 0 = U, 1 = V).
    #[inline]
    fn top_c_px(&self, c: usize, cy: usize, x: usize) -> u8 {
        // 128 = the spec's unavailable sample, as in `top_y_px`.
        if cy % 8 == 0 && self.flt_rows * 8 >= cy {
            let bak = if c == 0 { &self.bak_u } else { &self.bak_v };
            bak.get(x).copied().unwrap_or(128)
        } else {
            let rec = if c == 0 { &self.rec_u } else { &self.rec_v };
            rec.get((cy - 1) * self.ccw + x).copied().unwrap_or(128)
        }
    }

    /// Slice form of [`Self::top_c_px`] for the 8-wide chroma gather.
    #[inline]
    fn top_c_row(&self, c: usize, cy: usize, x: usize, n: usize) -> &[u8] {
        if cy % 8 == 0 && self.flt_rows * 8 >= cy {
            if c == 0 {
                &self.bak_u[x..x + n]
            } else {
                &self.bak_v[x..x + n]
            }
        } else {
            let rec = if c == 0 { &self.rec_u } else { &self.rec_v };
            &rec[(cy - 1) * self.ccw + x..][..n]
        }
    }

    /// Snapshots the (deblocked) reconstruction as a reference picture, drawing
    /// its padded-plane allocations from `pool` (recycled
    /// planes of evicted DPB frames — see `Decoder::reclaim_retired`). ~1.9 MB of
    /// fresh allocation per reference picture otherwise (`dpb-clone` stage, 3-4%
    /// of decode, mostly first-touch page faults).
    pub fn as_reference_pooled(&self, pool: &mut Vec<Vec<u8>>) -> crate::RefFrame {
        // MV CAPTURE (`RFF_MV_DUMP=1`) — lets a harness read the motion field any
        // conformant H.264 stream carries, including x264's, using this decoder as
        // the parser. Diagnostic only; inert unless the env var is set.
        #[cfg(feature = "std")]
        if mv_dump_on() {
            MV_DUMP.lock().unwrap().push(MvField {
                mb_w: self.mb_w,
                mb_h: self.mb_h,
                mv: self.mv_y.clone(),
                ref_idx: self.ref_idx_y.clone(),
                inter: self.inter_y.clone(),
            });
        }

        // The per-block motion (mv/ref_idx/ref_poc) is read ONLY by B temporal/spatial
        // direct (`col.mv/ref_idx/ref_poc`, guarded on `w4 != 0` + `idx < len`). On
        // Baseline/Constrained-Baseline streams (no B) it's pure waste — skip the two
        // grid clones + the per-block ref_poc resolve/alloc. `w4 = 0` makes the B
        // readers no-op even on malformed input.
        let (mv, ref_idx, mv1, ref_idx1, ref_poc, w4) = if self.b_possible {
            (
                self.mv_y.clone(),
                self.ref_idx_y.clone(),
                self.mv1.clone(),
                self.ref_idx1.clone(),
                // Resolve each block's List-0 ref index to the referenced picture's
                // POC, so temporal direct can map it into the current list.
                // Via a tiny per-ref LUT: the per-block bounds + Option chain +
                // Ref pointer chase (57k blocks at 720p, once per reference
                // frame) becomes one table index. Identical output: LUT slots
                // past refs.len() hold MIN, exactly what .get() returned.
                {
                    let mut poc_lut = [i32::MIN; 32];
                    for (i, f) in self.refs.iter().take(32).enumerate() {
                        poc_lut[i & 31] = f.pic_poc();
                    }
                    self.ref_idx_y
                        .iter()
                        .map(|&r| {
                            if (0..32).contains(&r) {
                                poc_lut[r as usize]
                            } else {
                                i32::MIN
                            }
                        })
                        .collect()
                },
                self.mb_w * 4,
            )
        } else {
            (
                Vec::new(),
                Vec::new(),
                Vec::new(),
                Vec::new(),
                Vec::new(),
                0,
            )
        };
        // Pop an exact-size recycled buffer per plane; a miss falls back to a
        // fresh allocation inside `pad_plane_into`.
        let mut take = |len: usize| -> Vec<u8> {
            match pool.iter().position(|v| v.len() == len) {
                Some(i) => pool.swap_remove(i),
                None => Vec::new(),
            }
        };
        let (lpw, lph) = (self.cw + 2 * crate::LPAD, self.ch + 2 * crate::LPAD);
        let (cpw, cph) = (self.ccw + 2 * crate::CPAD, self.ch / 2 + 2 * crate::CPAD);
        crate::RefFrame {
            // Pad once here (ExpandPicture) instead of extracting a clamped tile
            // on every MC call — same copy class as the old plane clone.
            py: rusty_h264_common::inter::pad_plane_into(
                take(lpw * lph),
                &self.rec_y,
                self.cw,
                self.ch,
                crate::LPAD,
            ),
            pu: rusty_h264_common::inter::pad_plane_into(
                take(cpw * cph),
                &self.rec_u,
                self.ccw,
                self.ch / 2,
                crate::CPAD,
            ),
            pv: rusty_h264_common::inter::pad_plane_into(
                take(cpw * cph),
                &self.rec_v,
                self.ccw,
                self.ch / 2,
                crate::CPAD,
            ),
            cw: self.cw,
            ch: self.ch,
            ready_rows: core::sync::atomic::AtomicUsize::new(0),
            live: None,
            frozen: crate::sync::Once::new(),
            frame_num: 0, // set by the caller (decode_slice knows frame_num)
            poc: 0,       // set by the caller
            mv,
            ref_idx,
            mv1,
            ref_idx1,
            ref_poc,
            w4,
            long_term: false,
            long_term_idx: 0,
        }
    }

    fn nnz_cache_load(&mut self, mb_x: usize, mb_y: usize) {
        let w4 = self.mb_w * 4;
        let top_unavail = mb_y == 0 || !self.nbr_in_slice(mb_x, mb_y - 1);
        let left_unavail = mb_x == 0 || !self.nbr_in_slice(mb_x - 1, mb_y);
        // The four TOP neighbours are one contiguous run of the nnz grid; only
        // the left column is strided. Hoisting the uniform `top_unavail` test out
        // of the loop turns four checked grid loads into one slice copy.
        if top_unavail {
            self.nnz_l_cache[1..5].fill(0x80);
        } else {
            let src = &self.nnz_y[(mb_y * 4 - 1) * w4 + mb_x * 4..][..4];
            self.nnz_l_cache[1..5].copy_from_slice(src);
        }
        for lby in 0..4 {
            self.nnz_l_cache[(lby + 1) * 5] = if left_unavail {
                0x80
            } else {
                self.nnz_y
                    .get((mb_y * 4 + lby) * w4 + (mb_x * 4 - 1))
                    .copied()
                    .unwrap_or(0)
            };
        }
    }
    #[inline]
    fn nc_pred(&self, lbx: usize, lby: usize) -> i32 {
        // MASKED, and it pays twice over: this helper and `nnz_cache_set` are
        // inlined into the intra path, the inter path AND both slice loops, so
        // the two unprovable indexes were replicated at every call site. The
        // cache is a 5x5 grid in a `[u8; 25]` and every caller passes a 4x4 block
        // coordinate (`LUMA_4X4_SCAN_XY`, `b8*2 + s`, or a literal), so `& 3` is
        // a no-op that puts the worst case at 4 * 5 + 4 = 24.
        let (lbx, lby) = (lbx & 3, lby & 3);
        let left = self.nnz_l_cache[(lby + 1) * 5 + lbx] as i32;
        let top = self.nnz_l_cache[lby * 5 + (lbx + 1)] as i32;
        let r = left + top;
        if r < 0x80 {
            (r + 1) >> 1
        } else {
            r & 0x7f
        }
    }
    #[inline]
    fn nnz_cache_set(&mut self, lbx: usize, lby: usize, total: u8) {
        self.nnz_l_cache[((lby & 3) + 1) * 5 + ((lbx & 3) + 1)] = total;
    }
    fn chroma_cache_load(&mut self, mb_x: usize, mb_y: usize) {
        let w2 = self.mb_w * 2;
        let top_unavail = mb_y == 0 || !self.nbr_in_slice(mb_x, mb_y - 1);
        let left_unavail = mb_x == 0 || !self.nbr_in_slice(mb_x - 1, mb_y);
        for c in 0..2 {
            if top_unavail {
                self.nnz_c_cache[c][1..3].fill(0x80);
            } else {
                let src = &self.nnz_c[c][(mb_y * 2 - 1) * w2 + mb_x * 2..][..2];
                self.nnz_c_cache[c][1..3].copy_from_slice(src);
            }
            for by in 0..2 {
                self.nnz_c_cache[c][(by + 1) * 3] = if left_unavail {
                    0x80
                } else {
                    self.nnz_c[c & 1]
                        .get((mb_y * 2 + by) * w2 + (mb_x * 2 - 1))
                        .copied()
                        .unwrap_or(0)
                };
            }
        }
    }
    #[inline]
    fn chroma_nc_pred(&self, c: usize, bx: usize, by: usize) -> i32 {
        // Same shape as `nc_pred`, one size down: a 3x3 grid in `[u8; 9]`, two
        // planes, and every caller passes 0..1 for all three coordinates.
        let (c, bx, by) = (c & 1, bx & 1, by & 1);
        let left = self.nnz_c_cache[c][(by + 1) * 3 + bx] as i32;
        let top = self.nnz_c_cache[c][by * 3 + (bx + 1)] as i32;
        let r = left + top;
        if r < 0x80 {
            (r + 1) >> 1
        } else {
            r & 0x7f
        }
    }
    #[inline]
    fn chroma_nnz_cache_set(&mut self, c: usize, bx: usize, by: usize, total: u8) {
        self.nnz_c_cache[c & 1][((by & 1) + 1) * 3 + ((bx & 1) + 1)] = total;
    }

    /// Decodes one slice's macroblocks (raster order) starting at `first_mb`,
    /// until `more_rbsp_data()` is exhausted or the picture is full. Returns the
    /// next macroblock address (= total when the picture is complete). In a
    /// P-slice each macroblock is preceded by `mb_skip_run`.
    /// CABAC slice-data decode (docs/cabac-decode-plan.md), brought up brick by brick
    /// against the instrumented openh264 oracle. Phase 1: verify engine init; the
    /// syntax layer (Phase 2+) is WIP.
    #[allow(clippy::too_many_arguments)]
    pub fn decode_slice_data_cabac(
        &mut self,
        rbsp: &[u8],
        start_byte: usize,
        slice_qp: u8,
        cabac_init_idc: u32,
        is_i: bool,
        is_p: bool,
        first_mb: usize,
    ) -> Result<usize, MbError> {
        // E2: overlap parse (this thread) with pixel reconstruction (a scoped
        // worker owning the planes) for P slices. I slices and B slices keep
        // the inline path (their pixel coupling is per-MB); the ownership
        // ping-pong around intra-in-P macroblocks is `edc_intra_sync`.
        let eligible = edc_on() && rowdb_on() && !is_i && (is_p || self.is_b);
        let threaded = eligible && edc_spawn_worker(self.mb_w, self.mb_h, self.bits_per_mb, true);
        edcstat::bump(&edcstat::DISPATCH_ON, threaded as u64);
        edcstat::bump(&edcstat::DISPATCH_SEEN, eligible as u64);
        if !threaded {
            let r = self.decode_slice_cabac_inner(
                rbsp,
                start_byte,
                slice_qp,
                cabac_init_idc,
                is_i,
                is_p,
                first_mb,
            );
            self.note_slice_density(rbsp.len().saturating_sub(start_byte), first_mb, &r);
            return r;
        }
        #[cfg(feature = "std")]
        {
            let ctx = self.edc_take_ctx();
            // D7 PROBE: is the CPU overhead PAYLOAD (alloc/copy per job) or
            // SYNCHRONISATION (blocking on a full queue, park/unpark)? The bound
            // separates them: raising it removes send-blocking without changing a
            // single byte copied. `RS_H264_EDC_BOUND` sweeps it.
            let (tx, rx) = crate::sync::mpsc::sync_channel::<EdcMsg>(edc_bound());
            let (ctx_tx, ctx_rx) = crate::sync::mpsc::channel::<PixelCtx>();
            let (back_tx, back_rx) = crate::sync::mpsc::channel::<PixelCtx>();
            let (res, ctx, panicked) = std::thread::scope(|sc| {
                let h = sc.spawn(move || edc_worker(ctx, rx, ctx_tx, back_rx));
                self.edc_tx = Some(tx);
                self.edc_ctx_rx = Some(ctx_rx);
                self.edc_back_tx = Some(back_tx);
                // UNWIND SAFETY (found by the fuzzer as a HANG, not a failure): a
                // panic inside the parse loop would skip the cleanup below — but
                // the sender lives in `self`, which outlives the unwind, so the
                // channel would never close, the worker would never exit, and the
                // scope's join would block forever, converting a diagnosable panic
                // into a silent deadlock under `catch_unwind` harnesses. Catch,
                // clean up, join, restore the planes, THEN resume the panic.
                let r = std::panic::catch_unwind(std::panic::AssertUnwindSafe(|| {
                    self.decode_slice_cabac_inner(
                        rbsp,
                        start_byte,
                        slice_qp,
                        cabac_init_idc,
                        is_i,
                        is_p,
                        first_mb,
                    )
                }));
                self.edc_flush_batch(); // ORDER: no job may outlive the channel
                self.edc_giveback(); // if an intra macroblock left us holding
                self.edc_tx = None; // closes the channel -> worker drains + returns
                self.edc_ctx_rx = None;
                self.edc_back_tx = None;
                match (r, h.join()) {
                    (Ok(res), Ok(ctx)) => (res, Some(ctx), None),
                    (Err(p), Ok(ctx)) => (Err(MbError::Truncated), Some(ctx), Some(p)),
                    (Ok(_), Err(p)) | (Err(_), Err(p)) => (Err(MbError::Truncated), None, Some(p)),
                }
            });
            if let Some(ctx) = ctx {
                self.edc_restore_ctx(ctx);
            }
            if let Some(p) = panicked {
                std::panic::resume_unwind(p);
            }
            self.note_slice_density(rbsp.len().saturating_sub(start_byte), first_mb, &res);
            return res;
        }
        #[cfg(not(feature = "std"))]
        {
            unreachable!("the EDC worker needs std; edc_spawn_worker is false without it")
        }
    }

    /// Feed the D12 dispatch its density signal from a slice just decoded.
    /// Exponentially smoothed so one atypical slice cannot flip the arm, and
    /// only ever read on the NEXT slice — the current one is already committed.
    fn note_slice_density(&mut self, bytes: usize, first_mb: usize, r: &Result<usize, MbError>) {
        let Ok(end) = r else { return };
        let mbs = end.saturating_sub(first_mb);
        if mbs == 0 {
            return;
        }
        let bpm = (bytes * 8) as f64 / mbs as f64;
        self.bits_per_mb = if self.bits_per_mb == 0.0 {
            bpm
        } else {
            0.75 * self.bits_per_mb + 0.25 * bpm
        };
    }

    fn decode_slice_cabac_inner(
        &mut self,
        rbsp: &[u8],
        start_byte: usize,
        slice_qp: u8,
        cabac_init_idc: u32,
        is_i: bool,
        is_p: bool,
        first_mb: usize,
    ) -> Result<usize, MbError> {
        self.edc_active = edc_on();
        let mut cab =
            crate::cabac::Cabac::new(rbsp, start_byte, slice_qp as i32, cabac_init_idc, is_i);
        let (range, _offset) = cab.dbg_state();
        // The crate already HAS a `cabac-trace` feature for this; the bare knob()
        // was env::var plus a String allocation per SLICE, inside the hottest
        // function in the decoder, and it kept every trace arm compiled in.
        #[cfg(not(feature = "cabac-trace"))]
        let trace = false;
        #[cfg(feature = "cabac-trace")]
        let trace = rusty_h264_common::knob("RH_CABAC_TRACE").is_some();
        debug_assert_eq!(range, 510, "CABAC init range must be 510");

        let mbw = self.mb_w;
        let total = self.mb_w * self.mb_h;
        // Per-MB neighbour state (single-slice assumption: avail == in-bounds).
        // SCOPED: zero-initialised allocations sized by MB count, once per slice.
        // D13: B-only grids (List-1 ref/mvd + direct flags) are ~292 KB at 720p and
        // are ONLY written on the B branch below — allocating them on every P/I
        // slice was the same fresh-page class GridPool fixed for the frame grids.
        // `RS_H264_FAT_SLICE=1` restores the always-alloc path for A/B.
        let _alloc_g =
            rusty_h264_common::prof::scope(rusty_h264_common::prof::Stage::DecSliceAlloc);
        // POOLED (was fresh `vec![..]` per slice): refill reuses the pooled
        // allocation with contents identical to a fresh vec, so the body below
        // is untouched. Taken out of `self` here; put back at the normal exit.
        let mut cat = refill(core::mem::take(&mut self.sc_cat), total, 255u8); // 0=I4x4, 2=I16, 255=unavailable
        let mut mb_cbp = refill(core::mem::take(&mut self.sc_cbp), total, 0u8);
        let mut cmode = refill(core::mem::take(&mut self.sc_cmode), total, -1i32); // chroma pred mode
        let mut mb_nzc = refill(core::mem::take(&mut self.sc_nzc), total, [0u8; 24]); // 16 luma raster + 8 chroma
        let mut cbf_dc = refill(core::mem::take(&mut self.sc_cbfdc), total, 0u16);
        let mut mb_skip = refill(core::mem::take(&mut self.sc_skip), total, false);
        let mut mb_ref = refill(core::mem::take(&mut self.sc_ref), total, [-1i8; 16]); // per-4×4-block List-0 ref (-1 = intra)
        let mut mb_mvd = refill(core::mem::take(&mut self.sc_mvd), total, [[0i16; 2]; 16]); // per-block mvd (for mvd ctxInc)
                                                                                            // D13: B-only grids (~292 KB @720p) only on B slices (or FAT_SLICE A/B).
        let want_b_grids = self.is_b || fat_slice_on();
        let mut mb_ref1 = if want_b_grids {
            refill(core::mem::take(&mut self.sc_ref1), total, [-1i8; 16])
        } else {
            Vec::new()
        };
        let mut mb_mvd1 = if want_b_grids {
            refill(core::mem::take(&mut self.sc_mvd1), total, [[0i16; 2]; 16])
        } else {
            Vec::new()
        };
        let mut mb_direct = if want_b_grids {
            refill(core::mem::take(&mut self.sc_direct), total, false)
        } else {
            Vec::new()
        };
        drop(_alloc_g);
        // Multi-slice availability (spec §6.4.x): a macroblock before this
        // slice's first_mb is NOT available — for pixel-domain prediction
        // (`nbr_in_slice`, like the CAVLC twin sets) AND for every CABAC ctx
        // neighbour below. The per-slice ctx arrays' defaults are not the
        // "unavailable" value (cat 255 reads as available-I16, mb_cbp 0 as
        // all-zero-cbp, mb_t8x8 is a frame grid…), so the `left`/`top`
        // options themselves are gated on slice membership — one gate that
        // every downstream ctxIdxInc read inherits. Confirmed against ffmpeg
        // on an x264 `--slices 4` stream, which desynced without this.
        self.slice_first_mb = first_mb;
        self.slice_bounds.push((first_mb, self.cur_idc2));
        self.any_idc2 |= self.cur_idc2;
        let mut last_delta_qp = 0i32;
        let mut addr = first_mb;

        let _mbloop_g = rusty_h264_common::prof::scope(rusty_h264_common::prof::Stage::DecMbLoop);
        // A new slice's first MBs may read grids a previous slice's deferred
        // spans still owe (P-after-B in one picture included).
        self.span_flush();
        // `mbw` is `pic_width_in_mbs_minus1 + 1` from the SPS. It cannot be 0 in
        // a conformant stream, but it is a runtime value, so this div+rem pair
        // carried a divide-by-zero panic reachable from a MALFORMED header --
        // on the untrusted-input path, at slice entry. `.max(1)` retires both
        // checks and cannot change a conformant decode.
        let mbw_nz = mbw.max(1);
        let (mut mbx, mut mby) = (addr % mbw_nz, addr / mbw_nz);
        // Slice-invariant B properties, formerly re-derived per macroblock.
        if self.is_b {
            self.edc_flush(); // drain anything a preceding P slice queued
        }
        let b_records = self.edc_tx.is_some();
        let b_refs_ok = !self.refs.is_empty() && !self.refs1.is_empty();
        // Loop-invariant: the lowest `addr` whose top neighbour is in this slice.
        let top_lim = first_mb + mbw;
        // Reused across macroblocks: MC overwrites every byte it reads back (all
        // B layouts cover the full macroblock), so the per-MB 384-byte zero-init
        // these used to pay was dead. Byte-identity is the guard.
        let mut pred_y = [0u8; 256];
        let mut c_pred = [[0u8; 64]; 2];
        // The loop wraps mbx at entry; bias so the first iteration is exact.
        // BOUND the entropy-coded loop (fuzzer-surfaced): a mutated stream can
        // never produce decode_terminate and the engine zero-fills forever. The
        // bound needs checking ONCE at entry — every in-loop path that advances
        // `addr` already breaks on `addr >= total` before continuing.
        if addr >= total {
            return Err(MbError::Truncated);
        }
        // BIND THE LENGTH FOR THE LOOP. Every grid below is `refill(.., total, ..)`
        // so its length is EXACTLY `total`, and the loop is entered only with
        // `addr < total` (checked above, re-asserted each turn) — but nothing
        // related the two, so every `[addr]` carried a check. Twenty-eight of
        // those became `get_mut` in the previous pass and cost ~2% on CABAC
        // content (crowd_run-main 1.021x, z=+2.11): a branch per write on the
        // decoder's hottest loop. Reborrowing at the literal `total` makes
        // `addr < total` and `addr < len` the SAME fact — no check, no branch.
        // The borrows end with this block, before the grids go back to the pool.
        // `mb_direct`/`mb_ref1`/`mb_mvd1` are deliberately NOT bound here: they
        // are `Vec::new()` on non-B slices, so slicing them to `total` would be
        // the very panic this campaign is removing.
        {
            let cat = &mut cat[..total];
            let mb_cbp = &mut mb_cbp[..total];
            let cmode = &mut cmode[..total];
            let mb_nzc = &mut mb_nzc[..total];
            let cbf_dc = &mut cbf_dc[..total];
            let mb_skip = &mut mb_skip[..total];
            let mb_ref = &mut mb_ref[..total];
            let mb_mvd = &mut mb_mvd[..total];
            loop {
                // A REAL check, not `debug_assert` — which compiles OUT in release,
                // so nothing carried `addr < total` across the loop's back-edge and
                // the reborrows above folded nothing on their own. This cannot fire
                // (every path that advances `addr` already breaks on `addr >= total`,
                // and entry is guarded above), but stating it once per macroblock
                // replaces FIFTEEN per-write branches with one that never taken.
                if addr >= total {
                    break;
                }
                // Carried coordinates: one compare-and-wrap replaces the per-MB
                // div+mod pair (and row_hook's own division).
                if mbx == mbw {
                    mbx = 0;
                    mby += 1;
                }
                self.row_hook_at(addr, mby);
                self.wait_refs_for_mb(mby);
                let left = (mbx > 0 && addr > first_mb).then(|| addr - 1);
                let top = (mby > 0 && addr >= top_lim).then(|| addr - mbw);

                // Brick 3.1/3.2: P-slice mb_skip_flag, then mb_type (P mb_type is neighbour-
                // independent; intra sub-types map to the I dispatch below).
                let mb_type;
                if is_p {
                    // Direct bool arithmetic — no Option chain on the hot path.
                    let sctx = 11
                        + (left.is_some() && !mb_skip.get(addr - 1).copied().unwrap_or(true))
                            as usize
                        + (top.is_some()
                            && !mb_skip.get(addr.wrapping_sub(mbw)).copied().unwrap_or(true))
                            as usize;
                    // ONE engine view carries mb_skip_flag, the terminate bin of a skipped
                    // macroblock, and mb_type of a coded one (was 2-3 view/commit round
                    // trips of 8 memory ops each per macroblock).
                    let (data, mut e, ctx) = cab.view();
                    if e.decode_decision(data, ctx, sctx) != 0 {
                        if let Some(p) = mb_skip.get_mut(addr) {
                            *p = true;
                        }
                        last_delta_qp = 0; // skip codes no mb_qp_delta → delta ctxInc resets
                                           // P_Skip recon reuses the entropy-free CAVLC primitive verbatim: it
                                           // takes no bit-reader (skip has no coded syntax past the flag), just
                                           // predicts the skip MV, motion-compensates, and commits the grid.
                        self.decode_p_skip(mbx, mby)?;
                        if let Some(p) = self.mb_qp.get_mut(addr) {
                            *p = self.cur_qp;
                        } // skip inherits QPy
                        let eos = e.decode_terminate(data);
                        cab.commit(e);
                        addr += 1;
                        mbx += 1;
                        if eos || addr >= total {
                            break;
                        }
                        continue;
                    }
                    let mbt = mb_type_p_eng(&mut e, data, ctx);
                    cab.commit(e);
                    // NON-SKIP P MB: the inter arms below predict MVs from the
                    // grids (mv_neighbors_block) and the intra arm gathers — flush
                    // the deferred P span (B span cannot be pending in a P slice,
                    // but span_flush is one Option check each).
                    self.span_flush();
                    if mbt <= 3 {
                        let _gb =
                            rusty_h264_common::prof::scope(rusty_h264_common::prof::Stage::DecMbP);
                        // noSubMbPartSizeLessThan8x8Flag (spec 7.3.5): P_8x8 permits the
                        // 8x8 transform only when every sub-partition is itself 8x8.
                        let mut allow8 = true;
                        // Inter MB (Bricks 3.3/3.4/3.5). 1-ref stream → ref_idx not coded (ref=0).
                        // Build the 30-entry mvd/ref neighbour cache (openh264 WelsFillCacheInterCabac).
                        let mut mvdc = [[0i16; 2]; 30];
                        let mut refc = [-1i8; 30];
                        // Index the neighbour's RECORD once, then read within it.
                        // `mb_ref[l][bi]` is two bounds checks - one on the Vec, one
                        // on the array - repeated for each of the four entries and
                        // again for `mb_mvd`, i.e. sixteen checks per macroblock for
                        // four neighbours. Binding the record hoists the Vec check
                        // out; the inner index is a literal and folds.
                        if let Some(l) = left {
                            let (Some(lr), Some(lm)) = (mb_ref.get(l), mb_mvd.get(l)) else {
                                return Err(MbError::Truncated);
                            };
                            for (ci, bi) in [(6usize, 3usize), (12, 7), (18, 11), (24, 15)] {
                                refc[ci] = lr[bi];
                                mvdc[ci] = lm[bi];
                            }
                        }
                        if let Some(t) = top {
                            let (Some(tr), Some(tm)) = (mb_ref.get(t), mb_mvd.get(t)) else {
                                return Err(MbError::Truncated);
                            };
                            for (ci, bi) in [(1usize, 12usize), (2, 13), (3, 14), (4, 15)] {
                                refc[ci] = tr[bi];
                                mvdc[ci] = tm[bi];
                            }
                        }
                        if mbx > 0 && mby > 0 {
                            let a = addr - mbw - 1;
                            if let (Some(r), Some(m)) = (mb_ref.get(a), mb_mvd.get(a)) {
                                (refc[0], mvdc[0]) = (r[15], m[15]);
                            }
                        }
                        if mby > 0 && mbx + 1 < mbw {
                            let a = addr - mbw + 1;
                            if let (Some(r), Some(m)) = (mb_ref.get(a), mb_mvd.get(a)) {
                                (refc[5], mvdc[5]) = (r[12], m[12]);
                            }
                        }
                        let mut mmvd = [[0i16; 2]; 16];
                        let mut mref = [0i8; 16];
                        // mb_pred (spec 7.3.5.1): all ref_idx_l0 FIRST (only when >1 active
                        // ref), then all mvd + ref-aware predict + commit. `refidx!` parses one
                        // partition's ref_idx (ctxIdxOffset 54, ctx from neighbour refc) and
                        // seeds refc so a later partition's ref/mvd context sees it — mirror
                        // of the encoder's two-phase emit_mb_cabac_p_inter.
                        macro_rules! refidx {
                            ($pi:expr, $zb:expr) => {{
                                if self.num_ref_active > 1 {
                                    let s = CACHE30[$pi & 15].clamp(6, 29);
                                    let c0 =
                                        (refc[s - 1] > 0) as usize + 2 * (refc[s - 6] > 0) as usize;
                                    let r = parse_ref_idx_cabac(&mut cab, c0);
                                    for &zb in $zb.iter() {
                                        refc[CACHE30[zb & 15]] = r;
                                    }
                                    r
                                } else {
                                    0i8
                                }
                            }};
                        }
                        macro_rules! part {
                            ($pi:expr, $zb:expr, $pred:expr, $rx:expr, $ry:expr, $rw:expr, $rh:expr, $refi:expr) => {{
                                let (mvx, mvy) = parse_mvd_partition(
                                    &mut cab, $pi, $zb, &mut mvdc, &mut refc, &mut mmvd, &mut mref,
                                    $refi,
                                );
                                let [na, nb, nc] = self.mv_neighbors_block(
                                    (mbx * 4 + $rx / 4) as isize,
                                    (mby * 4 + $ry / 4) as isize,
                                    ($rw / 4) as isize,
                                );
                                let pmv = $pred(na, nb, nc);
                                self.commit_inter_grid(
                                    mbx,
                                    mby,
                                    $rx,
                                    $ry,
                                    $rw,
                                    $rh,
                                    (pmv.0 + mvx, pmv.1 + mvy),
                                    $refi,
                                );
                            }};
                        }
                        match mbt {
                            0 => {
                                // Sibling of CAVLC P_16x16: one (ref, mv) for all 16
                                // blocks → every internal edge is strength 0 (§8.7.2.1).
                                // Without this, CABAC Main/High P_16x16 stayed UNSET and
                                // paid the blind 24-block bS gather.
                                if let Some(k) = self.mb_kind.get_mut(mby * self.mb_w + mbx) {
                                    *k = rusty_h264_common::deblock::MB_KIND_INTER_UNIFORM;
                                }
                                let r0 = refidx!(
                                    0,
                                    &[0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15]
                                );
                                part!(
                                    0,
                                    &[0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15],
                                    |a, b, c| predict_partition_mv(0, 0, a, b, c, r0 as i32),
                                    0,
                                    0,
                                    16,
                                    16,
                                    r0
                                );
                            }
                            1 => {
                                let r0 = refidx!(0, &[0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7]);
                                let r1 = refidx!(8, &[8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15]);
                                part!(
                                    0,
                                    &[0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7],
                                    |a, b, c| predict_partition_mv(1, 0, a, b, c, r0 as i32),
                                    0,
                                    0,
                                    16,
                                    8,
                                    r0
                                );
                                part!(
                                    8,
                                    &[8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15],
                                    |a, b, c| predict_partition_mv(1, 1, a, b, c, r1 as i32),
                                    0,
                                    8,
                                    16,
                                    8,
                                    r1
                                );
                            }
                            2 => {
                                let r0 = refidx!(0, &[0, 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 11]);
                                let r1 = refidx!(4, &[4, 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 15]);
                                part!(
                                    0,
                                    &[0, 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 11],
                                    |a, b, c| predict_partition_mv(2, 0, a, b, c, r0 as i32),
                                    0,
                                    0,
                                    8,
                                    16,
                                    r0
                                );
                                part!(
                                    4,
                                    &[4, 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 15],
                                    |a, b, c| predict_partition_mv(2, 1, a, b, c, r1 as i32),
                                    8,
                                    0,
                                    8,
                                    16,
                                    r1
                                );
                            }
                            _ => {
                                // P_8x8: 4 sub_mb_types, then 4 ref_idx (one per 8×8), then mvd.
                                let mut subt = [0u32; 4];
                                for st in &mut subt {
                                    *st = parse_sub_mb_type_p_cabac(&mut cab);
                                }
                                allow8 = subt.iter().all(|&t| t == 0);
                                let mut pr = [0i8; 4];
                                for (i, r) in pr.iter_mut().enumerate() {
                                    let b = i * 4;
                                    *r = refidx!(b, &[b, b + 1, b + 2, b + 3]);
                                }
                                for i in 0..4usize {
                                    let b = i * 4;
                                    let (ox, oy) = ((i % 2) * 8, (i / 2) * 8); // 8×8 pixel origin in MB
                                    let ri = pr[i];
                                    match subt[i] {
                                        0 => part!(
                                            b,
                                            &[b, b + 1, b + 2, b + 3],
                                            |a, b, c| predict_mv(a, b, c, ri as i32),
                                            ox,
                                            oy,
                                            8,
                                            8,
                                            ri
                                        ),
                                        1 => {
                                            part!(
                                                b,
                                                &[b, b + 1],
                                                |a, b, c| predict_mv(a, b, c, ri as i32),
                                                ox,
                                                oy,
                                                8,
                                                4,
                                                ri
                                            );
                                            part!(
                                                b + 2,
                                                &[b + 2, b + 3],
                                                |a, b, c| predict_mv(a, b, c, ri as i32),
                                                ox,
                                                oy + 4,
                                                8,
                                                4,
                                                ri
                                            );
                                        }
                                        2 => {
                                            part!(
                                                b,
                                                &[b, b + 2],
                                                |a, b, c| predict_mv(a, b, c, ri as i32),
                                                ox,
                                                oy,
                                                4,
                                                8,
                                                ri
                                            );
                                            part!(
                                                b + 1,
                                                &[b + 1, b + 3],
                                                |a, b, c| predict_mv(a, b, c, ri as i32),
                                                ox + 4,
                                                oy,
                                                4,
                                                8,
                                                ri
                                            );
                                        }
                                        _ => {
                                            for j in 0..4usize {
                                                let (sx, sy) = ((j % 2) * 4, (j / 2) * 4);
                                                part!(
                                                    b + j,
                                                    &[b + j],
                                                    |a, b, c| predict_mv(a, b, c, ri as i32),
                                                    ox + sx,
                                                    oy + sy,
                                                    4,
                                                    4,
                                                    ri
                                                );
                                            }
                                        }
                                    }
                                }
                            }
                        }
                        if let Some(p) = mb_ref.get_mut(addr) {
                            *p = mref;
                        }
                        if let Some(p) = mb_mvd.get_mut(addr) {
                            *p = mmvd;
                        }

                        // Inter cbp + residual (is_intra = false → cbf default nA=nB=0).
                        let cbp = parse_cbp_cabac(
                            &mut cab,
                            top.and_then(|a| mb_cbp.get(a).copied()),
                            left.and_then(|a| mb_cbp.get(a).copied()),
                        );
                        if let Some(p) = mb_cbp.get_mut(addr) {
                            *p = cbp as u8;
                        }
                        // H-49: an INTER macroblock carries transform_size_8x8_flag AFTER cbp
                        // (spec 7.3.5), present only when CodedBlockPatternLuma > 0 and
                        // noSubMbPartSizeLessThan8x8Flag. Same context as the intra read.
                        let t8 = self.transform_8x8_mode && (cbp & 15) != 0 && allow8 && {
                            let a = left
                                .map_or(0, |x| self.mb_t8x8.get(x).is_some_and(|&f| f) as usize);
                            let b =
                                top.map_or(0, |x| self.mb_t8x8.get(x).is_some_and(|&f| f) as usize);
                            cab.decode_decision(399 + a + b) != 0
                        };
                        if let Some(p) = self.mb_t8x8.get_mut(addr) {
                            *p = t8;
                        }
                        self.any_t8 |= t8;
                        // D9c: cbp==0 never parses residuals — skip the 2.5 KB coeff
                        // zero-init + PInterJob entirely when NORES is on (default).
                        // Current-MB nzc slots stay unset under cbp==0 and export as 0
                        // (same as the 0xff→0 scrub below), so mb_nzc = [0;24] is exact.
                        if cbp == 0 && nores_on() {
                            last_delta_qp = 0;
                            if let Some(p) = self.mb_qp.get_mut(addr) {
                                *p = self.cur_qp;
                            }
                            if let Some(p) = cbf_dc.get_mut(addr) {
                                *p = 0;
                            }
                            if let Some(p) = mb_nzc.get_mut(addr) {
                                *p = [0u8; 24];
                            }
                            if self.refs.is_empty() {
                                return Err(MbError::Unsupported("inter without reference"));
                            }
                            let (mut jgmv, mut jgref) = ([(0i32, 0i32); 16], [0u8; 16]);
                            {
                                let w4r = self.mb_w * 4;
                                for by in 0..4usize {
                                    // Row-contiguous — see the coded-inter gather.
                                    let row = (mby * 4 + by) * w4r + mbx * 4;
                                    jgmv[by * 4..by * 4 + 4]
                                        .copy_from_slice(&self.mv_y[row..row + 4]);
                                    // Row-slice the ref grid too - it was the only
                                    // one still indexed per block.
                                    let ridx = &self.ref_idx_y[row..row + 4];
                                    for bx in 0..4usize {
                                        jgref[by * 4 + bx] = ridx[bx].clamp(0, 15) as u8;
                                    }
                                }
                            }
                            let pj = PInterNoResJob {
                                mbx,
                                mby,
                                t8,
                                gmv: jgmv,
                                gref: jgref,
                            };
                            if self.edc_tx.is_some() {
                                self.edc_giveback();
                                self.edc_commit_nnz(mbx, mby, t8, &[0u8; 24], 0);
                                if edcstat::on() {
                                    edcstat::bump(&edcstat::J_INTER, 1);
                                    edcstat::bump(&edcstat::J_INTER_NORES, 1);
                                }
                                edcstat::bump(&edcstat::J_NORES_SENT, 1);
                                self.edc_send_job(EdcJob::InterNoRes(Box::new(pj)));
                            } else if self.edc_active {
                                edcstat::bump(&edcstat::J_NORES_SENT, 1);
                                self.edc_jobs.push(EdcJob::InterNoRes(Box::new(pj)));
                            } else {
                                self.recon_p_inter_nores(&pj);
                                if double_recon() {
                                    self.recon_p_inter_nores(&pj);
                                }
                            }
                            let eos = cab.decode_terminate();
                            addr += 1;
                            mbx += 1;
                            if eos || addr >= total {
                                break;
                            }
                            continue;
                        }
                        // POOLED JOB, BUILT IN PLACE: the residual parse writes straight into
                        // the boxed job (no 2.8 KB stack-then-heap copy, no malloc/free per
                        // macroblock), and only the blocks the cbp says will be parsed are
                        // zeroed -- the consumer reads a block only when its nnz is nonzero.
                        let mut job = self.take_pinter_job();
                        job.t8 = t8;
                        let (cbp_luma, cbp_chroma) = (cbp & 15, cbp >> 4);
                        let mut nzc = [0xffu8; 48];
                        if let Some(t) = top {
                            let tnz = mb_nzc.get(t).unwrap_or(&ZERO_NZC);
                            nzc[1..5].copy_from_slice(&tnz[12..16]);
                            (nzc[0], nzc[5], nzc[29]) = (0, 0, 0);
                            (nzc[6], nzc[7], nzc[30], nzc[31]) =
                                (tnz[20], tnz[21], tnz[22], tnz[23]);
                        }
                        if let Some(l) = left {
                            let lnz = mb_nzc.get(l).unwrap_or(&ZERO_NZC);
                            (nzc[8], nzc[16], nzc[24], nzc[32]) =
                                (lnz[3], lnz[7], lnz[11], lnz[15]);
                            (nzc[13], nzc[21], nzc[37], nzc[45]) =
                                (lnz[17], lnz[21], lnz[19], lnz[23]);
                        }
                        let mut cbfdc = 0u16;
                        job.nnzs = [0u8; 24]; // parsed totalCoeff per block (see add_inter_residual)
                                              // A cbp==0 MB codes no mb_qp_delta → the next MB's delta ctxInc sees 0.
                        if cbp == 0 {
                            last_delta_qp = 0;
                        }
                        if cbp != 0 {
                            let ndc = (
                                top.and_then(|a| cbf_dc.get(a).copied()),
                                left.and_then(|a| cbf_dc.get(a).copied()),
                            );
                            let qpd = parse_mb_qp_delta_cabac(&mut cab, &mut last_delta_qp);
                            self.step_qp(qpd)?;
                            parse_mb_residual_cabac::<false>(
                                &mut cab,
                                &mut nzc,
                                &mut cbfdc,
                                ndc,
                                cbp_luma,
                                cbp_chroma,
                                t8,
                                ResidualOut {
                                    luma: &mut job.luma_scan,
                                    luma8: &mut job.luma8,
                                    cdc: &mut job.cdc,
                                    cac: &mut job.cac,
                                    nnzs: &mut job.nnzs,
                                },
                            );
                        }
                        if let Some(p) = self.mb_qp.get_mut(addr) {
                            *p = self.cur_qp;
                        }
                        if let Some(p) = cbf_dc.get_mut(addr) {
                            *p = cbfdc;
                        }
                        let _sc = rusty_h264_common::prof::scope(
                            rusty_h264_common::prof::Stage::DecStateCache,
                        );
                        let mn = nnz_raster_from_z(&job.nnzs);
                        if let Some(p) = mb_nzc.get_mut(addr) {
                            *p = mn;
                        }
                        drop(_sc);

                        if self.refs.is_empty() {
                            return Err(MbError::Unsupported("inter without reference"));
                        }
                        // NOTE (measured, do not "optimise" this away): EDC is
                        // DEFAULT ON (`edc_on()`, opt out with RS_H264_EDC=0), so
                        // even single-threaded this job is built and deferred —
                        // that batching is the E1 loop-fission win, not overhead.
                        // A "skip the job in 1T" bypass added here could never fire
                        // and was removed.
                        let (mut jgmv, mut jgref) = ([(0i32, 0i32); 16], [0u8; 16]);
                        {
                            let w4r = self.mb_w * 4;
                            for by in 0..4usize {
                                // Row-contiguous: one slice copy for the MVs
                                // instead of four bounds-checked strided loads.
                                let row = (mby * 4 + by) * w4r + mbx * 4;
                                jgmv[by * 4..by * 4 + 4].copy_from_slice(&self.mv_y[row..row + 4]);
                                // Row-slice the ref grid too - it was the only one
                                // still indexed per block.
                                let ridx = &self.ref_idx_y[row..row + 4];
                                for bx in 0..4usize {
                                    jgref[by * 4 + bx] = ridx[bx].clamp(0, 15) as u8;
                                }
                            }
                        }
                        // D9c: when `cbp == 0`, never materialise the 2.5 KB coeff
                        // arrays into a `PInterJob` — ship `InterNoRes` (or call
                        // `recon_p_inter_nores` inline). `RS_H264_NORES=0` keeps the
                        // old full-job path for A/B.
                        let nores = cbp == 0 && nores_on();
                        if nores {
                            let pj = PInterNoResJob {
                                mbx,
                                mby,
                                t8,
                                gmv: jgmv,
                                gref: jgref,
                            };
                            if self.edc_tx.is_some() {
                                self.edc_giveback();
                                self.edc_commit_nnz(mbx, mby, t8, &[0u8; 24], 0);
                                if edcstat::on() {
                                    edcstat::bump(&edcstat::J_INTER, 1);
                                    edcstat::bump(&edcstat::J_INTER_NORES, 1);
                                }
                                edcstat::bump(&edcstat::J_NORES_SENT, 1);
                                let b = self.take_nores_job(pj);
                                self.edc_send_job(EdcJob::InterNoRes(b));
                            } else if self.edc_active {
                                edcstat::bump(&edcstat::J_NORES_SENT, 1);
                                let b = self.take_nores_job(pj);
                                self.edc_jobs.push(EdcJob::InterNoRes(b));
                            } else {
                                self.recon_p_inter_nores(&pj);
                                if double_recon() {
                                    self.recon_p_inter_nores(&pj);
                                }
                            }
                            let eos = cab.decode_terminate();
                            addr += 1;
                            mbx += 1;
                            if eos || addr >= total {
                                break;
                            }
                            continue;
                        }
                        job.mbx = mbx;
                        job.mby = mby;
                        job.qp = self.cur_qp;
                        job.cbp_chroma = cbp_chroma;
                        job.gmv = jgmv;
                        job.gref = jgref;
                        if self.edc_tx.is_some() {
                            self.edc_giveback();
                            self.edc_commit_nnz(mbx, mby, t8, &job.nnzs, cbp_chroma);
                            if edcstat::on() {
                                edcstat::bump(&edcstat::J_INTER, 1);
                            }
                            self.edc_send_job(EdcJob::Inter(job));
                        } else if self.edc_active {
                            self.edc_jobs.push(EdcJob::Inter(job));
                        } else {
                            self.recon_p_inter(&job);
                            if double_recon() {
                                self.recon_p_inter(&job);
                            }
                            self.edc_job_pool.push(job);
                        }

                        let eos = cab.decode_terminate();
                        addr += 1;
                        mbx += 1;
                        if eos || addr >= total {
                            break;
                        }
                        continue;
                    }
                    mb_type = mbt - 5; // 5→0 (I_4x4), 6..29→1..24 (I_16x16)
                } else if self.is_b {
                    // NOTE: the per-macroblock edc_flush() that used to sit here is
                    // hoisted to slice entry (see below) — nothing inside a B slice
                    // pushes to edc_jobs.
                    if b_records {
                        // E3: this B macroblock's MC regions record instead of executing.
                        self.edc_regions = Some(Vec::with_capacity(8));
                    }
                    let _gb =
                        rusty_h264_common::prof::scope(rusty_h264_common::prof::Stage::DecMbB);
                    // noSubMbPartSizeLessThan8x8Flag for B: direct MBs qualify only under
                    // direct_8x8_inference_flag; B_8x8 needs every sub-partition 8x8.
                    let mut allow8 = true;
                    // B-slice: mb_skip_flag (ctx 24 + neighbour-not-skip), then B mb_type.
                    let (hl, ht) = (left.is_some(), top.is_some());
                    let sctx = 24
                        + (hl && !mb_skip.get(addr - 1).copied().unwrap_or(true)) as usize
                        + (ht && !mb_skip.get(addr.wrapping_sub(mbw)).copied().unwrap_or(true))
                            as usize;
                    // ONE engine view carries mb_skip_flag, the terminate bin of a skipped
                    // macroblock, and mb_type of a coded one (was 2-3 view/commit round
                    // trips of 8 memory ops each per macroblock).
                    let (data, mut e, ctx) = cab.view();
                    if e.decode_decision(data, ctx, sctx) != 0 {
                        if let (Some(sk), Some(di)) =
                            (mb_skip.get_mut(addr), mb_direct.get_mut(addr))
                        {
                            (*sk, *di) = (true, true);
                        }
                        last_delta_qp = 0; // skip codes no mb_qp_delta → delta ctxInc resets
                                           // B_Skip recon reuses the entropy-free CAVLC primitive (spatial/temporal
                                           // direct with no residual), which also commits the motion grid.
                                           // Hot prefix inline: forced run continuations skip the call.
                        if !self.b_skip_hot(mbx, mby) {
                            self.decode_b_skip(mbx, mby)?;
                        }
                        if let Some(p) = self.mb_qp.get_mut(addr) {
                            *p = self.cur_qp;
                        }
                        // Skip/direct blocks contribute mvd 0 to a later MB's mvd ctxInc; the
                        // ref stays in-list so |mvd|=0 is summed (same result either way).
                        // mb_ref/mb_ref1 stay at their -1 init: every reader is
                        // either a `> 0` context test (-1 and 0 both false) or the
                        // mvd-sum's `>= 0` gate — and a skip's mvd is (0,0), so
                        // exclusion (-1) and inclusion-of-zero (0) give the same
                        // sum. The 64-byte per-skip zero-fill was pure waste.
                        let eos = e.decode_terminate(data);
                        cab.commit(e);
                        addr += 1;
                        mbx += 1;
                        if eos || addr >= total {
                            break;
                        }
                        continue;
                    }
                    // NON-SKIP B MB: every arm below reads the grids INLINE
                    // (H-48: CABAC never routes through decode_b_mb) — flush
                    // the deferred spans. Caught by the tempete ARM-DIFF.
                    self.span_flush();
                    let bci = (hl && !mb_direct.get(addr - 1).copied().unwrap_or(true)) as usize
                        + (ht
                            && !mb_direct
                                .get(addr.wrapping_sub(mbw))
                                .copied()
                                .unwrap_or(true)) as usize;
                    let bmt = {
                        let _s = rusty_h264_common::prof::scope(
                            rusty_h264_common::prof::Stage::BTypeParse,
                        );
                        mb_type_b_eng(&mut e, data, ctx, 27, bci)
                    };
                    cab.commit(e);
                    if bmt < 23 {
                        // ---- B inter: parse motion (mvd L0/L1; ref not coded on this 1-ref
                        // stream) + residual. Recon (b_mc/direct) deferred to B.3. ----
                        let mut mvdc0 = [[0i16; 2]; 30];
                        let mut refc0 = [-1i8; 30];
                        let mut mvdc1 = [[0i16; 2]; 30];
                        let mut refc1 = [-1i8; 30];
                        // WelsFillCacheInterCabac, per list (L0 = mb_ref/mb_mvd, L1 = mb_ref1/mb_mvd1).
                        // The corner addresses and their guards are macroblock
                        // properties, resolved ONCE here rather than rebuilt inside
                        // each list expansion; each neighbour grid row is borrowed
                        // once instead of re-indexed per entry.
                        let tl = (mbx > 0 && mby > 0).then(|| addr - mbw - 1);
                        let tr = (mby > 0 && mbx + 1 < mbw).then(|| addr - mbw + 1);
                        macro_rules! fill {
                            ($mrf:expr, $mmv:expr, $rc:expr, $mc:expr) => {{
                                // `.get` PER PARALLEL GRID. The ref and mvd grids are
                                // separate Vecs indexed by the same macroblock address,
                                // so `$mrf[l]` proved nothing about `$mmv[l]` and each
                                // of the four neighbour slots carried two panic paths —
                                // doubled again because this macro expands once per
                                // list. A `None` here degrades to exactly what the
                                // cache already means by "neighbour unavailable" (the
                                // `-1` ref it is initialised to), so the fallible form
                                // is the honest one as well as the cheap one.
                                if let Some(l) = left {
                                    if let (Some(rr), Some(mm)) = ($mrf.get(l), $mmv.get(l)) {
                                        for (ci, bi) in
                                            [(6usize, 3usize), (12, 7), (18, 11), (24, 15)]
                                        {
                                            $rc[ci] = rr[bi];
                                            $mc[ci] = mm[bi];
                                        }
                                    }
                                }
                                if let Some(t) = top {
                                    if let (Some(rr), Some(mm)) = ($mrf.get(t), $mmv.get(t)) {
                                        for (ci, bi) in
                                            [(1usize, 12usize), (2, 13), (3, 14), (4, 15)]
                                        {
                                            $rc[ci] = rr[bi];
                                            $mc[ci] = mm[bi];
                                        }
                                    }
                                }
                                if let Some(a) = tl {
                                    if let (Some(rr), Some(mm)) = ($mrf.get(a), $mmv.get(a)) {
                                        ($rc[0], $mc[0]) = (rr[15], mm[15]);
                                    }
                                }
                                if let Some(a) = tr {
                                    if let (Some(rr), Some(mm)) = ($mrf.get(a), $mmv.get(a)) {
                                        ($rc[5], $mc[5]) = (rr[12], mm[12]);
                                    }
                                }
                            }};
                        }
                        {
                            let _s = rusty_h264_common::prof::scope(
                                rusty_h264_common::prof::Stage::BFillCache,
                            );
                            fill!(mb_ref, mb_mvd, refc0, mvdc0);
                            fill!(mb_ref1, mb_mvd1, refc1, mvdc1);
                        }
                        let mut _smv = Some(rusty_h264_common::prof::scope(
                            rusty_h264_common::prof::Stage::BMvdParse,
                        ));
                        let mut mmvd0 = [[0i16; 2]; 16];
                        let mut mref0 = [-1i8; 16];
                        let mut mmvd1 = [[0i16; 2]; 16];
                        let mut mref1 = [-1i8; 16];
                        if !b_refs_ok {
                            return Err(MbError::Unsupported("B without references"));
                        }
                        // Recon (mirrors CAVLC decode_b_mb / decode_b_8x8): predict each list's
                        // MV off the committed grid + the CABAC-parsed mvd, commit, MC (bi-pred
                        // blend), then add the residual. Prediction reads mmvd0/mmvd1 (the mvd
                        // per raster block, splatted during the parse above).
                        // pred_y / c_pred are slice-scope scratch (see the loop head).
                        // Recording is a per-macroblock property — ask once, not per
                        // partition, so the 1T path calls b_mc straight through.
                        let rec_mode = self.edc_regions.is_some();

                        if bmt == 0 {
                            // B_Direct_16x16: no coded motion. A direct block contributes mvd 0
                            // to a later MB's mvd ctxInc with its ref in-list (|0| summed).
                            if let Some(p) = mb_direct.get_mut(addr) {
                                *p = true;
                            }
                            allow8 = self.direct_8x8_inference;
                            (mref0, mref1) = ([0i8; 16], [0i8; 16]);
                            // FORCED derivation via the zero-bi bitmap (same triple
                            // as b_skip_hot): a direct-16 whose left/top/topright are
                            // recorded ref0/(0,0) committers derives (0,0)/(0,0) bi —
                            // skip the gather + derivation, run the region half
                            // directly. Its own commit is zero-bi too, so it EXTENDS
                            // forcing chains through coded direct MBs.
                            // `mbw` is already carried by the loop, and the row-above
                            // address is one subtraction, not three.
                            let up = addr.wrapping_sub(mbw);
                            let forced = !b_records
                                && mbx > 0
                                && mby > 0
                                && mbx + 1 < mbw
                                && up >= self.slice_first_mb
                                && match self.bzero.get(..=addr) {
                                    // A slice ENDING at `addr` proves all three
                                    // neighbour reads at once — the guards above put
                                    // every one of them below `addr`. Same shape as
                                    // `b_skip_hot`.
                                    Some(bz) => {
                                        bz.get(addr - 1).copied().unwrap_or(false)
                                            && bz.get(up).copied().unwrap_or(false)
                                            && bz.get(up + 1).copied().unwrap_or(false)
                                    }
                                    None => false,
                                };
                            if forced {
                                self.b_direct_region(
                                    mbx,
                                    mby,
                                    0,
                                    0,
                                    16,
                                    16,
                                    &mut pred_y,
                                    &mut c_pred,
                                    (0, 0, (0, 0), (0, 0), false),
                                );
                                if let Some(b) = self.bzero.get_mut(addr) {
                                    *b = true;
                                }
                            } else {
                                self.decode_b_direct(
                                    mbx,
                                    mby,
                                    0,
                                    0,
                                    16,
                                    16,
                                    &mut pred_y,
                                    &mut c_pred,
                                );
                            }
                        } else if bmt == 22 {
                            // B_8x8: 4 sub_mb_types, (ref not coded on 1-ref), then mvd
                            // list-major → sub-MB → sub-partition (openh264 order).
                            let mut subt = [0u32; 4];
                            for s in &mut subt {
                                *s = parse_sub_mb_type_b_cabac(&mut cab);
                            }
                            let d8i = self.direct_8x8_inference;
                            allow8 =
                                subt.iter()
                                    .all(|&t| if t == 0 { d8i } else { (1..=3).contains(&t) });
                            // uses(list) depends only on the sub_mb_type — resolve the
                            // whole 4x2 table once here; the ref_idx, mvd and recon
                            // loops below all read it instead of re-asking.
                            let su = [
                                [b_sub_uses(subt[0], 0), b_sub_uses(subt[0], 1)],
                                [b_sub_uses(subt[1], 0), b_sub_uses(subt[1], 1)],
                                [b_sub_uses(subt[2], 0), b_sub_uses(subt[2], 1)],
                                [b_sub_uses(subt[3], 0), b_sub_uses(subt[3], 1)],
                            ];
                            // A direct sub-partition contributes mvd 0 / ref in-list to the
                            // ctxInc — both the per-MB export and the within-MB 30-cache that a
                            // later (non-direct) sub in this MB reads.
                            for i in 0..4usize {
                                if subt[i] == 0 {
                                    let b = i * 4;
                                    for zb in b..b + 4 {
                                        // each table read once, not twice
                                        let (g, c) = (G_SCAN4[zb & 15], CACHE30[zb & 15]);
                                        (mref0[g], mref1[g]) = (0, 0);
                                        (refc0[c], refc1[c]) = (0, 0);
                                    }
                                }
                            }
                            // ref_idx_l0 for all four 8x8s, then ref_idx_l1, then the mvds
                            // (spec 7.3.5.2 sub_mb_pred). ONE ref per 8x8 -- never per
                            // sub-partition -- and B_Direct_8x8 codes none.
                            let mut sref = [[0i8; 2]; 4]; // [sub-MB][list]
                            for list in 0..2usize {
                                // Single-reference lists code no ref_idx at all.
                                if (if list == 0 {
                                    self.num_ref_active
                                } else {
                                    self.num_ref_active1
                                }) <= 1
                                {
                                    continue;
                                }
                                let rc = if list == 0 { &mut refc0 } else { &mut refc1 };
                                for i in 0..4usize {
                                    let st = subt[i];
                                    if st == 0 || !su[i][list] {
                                        continue;
                                    }
                                    let b = i * 4;
                                    let s = CACHE30[b & 15].clamp(6, 29);
                                    let c0 =
                                        (rc[s - 1] > 0) as usize + 2 * (rc[s - 6] > 0) as usize;
                                    let r = parse_ref_idx_cabac(&mut cab, c0);
                                    for &zb in &[b, b + 1, b + 2, b + 3] {
                                        rc[CACHE30[zb]] = r;
                                    }
                                    sref[i][list] = r;
                                }
                            }
                            for list in 0..2usize {
                                let (mmv, mrf, mc, rc) = if list == 0 {
                                    (&mut mmvd0, &mut mref0, &mut mvdc0, &mut refc0)
                                } else {
                                    (&mut mmvd1, &mut mref1, &mut mvdc1, &mut refc1)
                                };
                                for i in 0..4usize {
                                    let st = subt[i];
                                    if st == 0 || !su[i][list] {
                                        continue;
                                    }
                                    let b = i * 4;
                                    for &(sx, sy, sw, sh) in b_sub_parts(st) {
                                        // Shapes are 8x8 / 8x4 / 4x8 / 4x4, so the block
                                        // list is closed-form: `step` is 1 when the part
                                        // spans both columns, 2 when it spans both rows.
                                        let (w4b, h4b) = (sw / 4, sh / 4);
                                        let base = b + (sy / 4) * 2 + sx / 4;
                                        let step = if w4b == 2 { 1 } else { 2 };
                                        let zb = [base, base + step, base + 2, base + 3];
                                        let n = w4b * h4b;
                                        parse_mvd_partition(
                                            &mut cab,
                                            zb[0],
                                            &zb[..n],
                                            mc,
                                            rc,
                                            mmv,
                                            mrf,
                                            sref[i][list],
                                        );
                                    }
                                }
                            }
                            // Recon each 8×8: direct sub → decode_b_direct; else per sub-part
                            // predict (median) + commit + MC.
                            // Spatial-direct A/B/C are MB-level — walk once if any sub is
                            // direct. `dmemo=0` rewalks every direct 8×8 (A/B oracle).
                            // Derivation hoist: A/B/C AND the rid/median result are
                            // MB-level — derive once, run only the per-8x8 region half
                            // (czg differs per sub) for every direct sub.
                            let hoisted = if self.direct_spatial
                                && direct_memo_on()
                                && subt.iter().any(|&t| t == 0)
                            {
                                let (n0, n1) = self.b_direct_nbrs(mbx, mby);
                                Some(Self::b_direct_refs_mvs(&n0, &n1))
                            } else {
                                None
                            };
                            for (p, &st) in subt.iter().enumerate() {
                                let (b8x, b8y) = ((p % 2) * 8, (p / 2) * 8);
                                if st == 0 {
                                    match hoisted {
                                        Some(derived) => self.b_direct_region(
                                            mbx,
                                            mby,
                                            b8x,
                                            b8y,
                                            8,
                                            8,
                                            &mut pred_y,
                                            &mut c_pred,
                                            derived,
                                        ),
                                        None => self.decode_b_direct(
                                            mbx,
                                            mby,
                                            b8x,
                                            b8y,
                                            8,
                                            8,
                                            &mut pred_y,
                                            &mut c_pred,
                                        ),
                                    }
                                    continue;
                                }
                                // From the table built at the top of this arm.
                                let (u0, u1) = (su[p & 3][0], su[p & 3][1]);
                                for &(sx, sy, sw, sh) in b_sub_parts(st) {
                                    let (px, py) = (b8x + sx, b8y + sy);
                                    let mut mv = [(0i32, 0i32); 2];
                                    let (bx4, by4) =
                                        ((mbx * 4 + px / 4) as isize, (mby * 4 + py / 4) as isize);
                                    let didx = (py / 4) * 4 + px / 4;
                                    // A BI sub-part gathers both lists at ONE position, so the
                                    // availability work (bounds + coded + slice) is shared —
                                    // the fusion the 16x16 layout path already had.
                                    if u0 && u1 {
                                        let (n0, n1) =
                                            self.mv_neighbors_both(bx4, by4, (sw / 4) as isize);
                                        for (list, nb) in [(0usize, &n0), (1, &n1)] {
                                            let d = (if list == 0 { &mmvd0 } else { &mmvd1 })
                                                [didx & 15];
                                            let pmv = predict_mv(
                                                nb[0],
                                                nb[1],
                                                nb[2],
                                                sref[p & 3][list & 1] as i32,
                                            );
                                            mv[list & 1] =
                                                (pmv.0 + d[0] as i32, pmv.1 + d[1] as i32);
                                        }
                                    } else {
                                        for list in 0..2usize {
                                            if if list == 0 { u0 } else { u1 } {
                                                let d = (if list == 0 { &mmvd0 } else { &mmvd1 })
                                                    [didx & 15];
                                                let nb = self.mv_neighbors_list(
                                                    bx4,
                                                    by4,
                                                    (sw / 4) as isize,
                                                    list,
                                                );
                                                let pmv = predict_mv(
                                                    nb[0],
                                                    nb[1],
                                                    nb[2],
                                                    sref[p & 3][list & 1] as i32,
                                                );
                                                mv[list & 1] =
                                                    (pmv.0 + d[0] as i32, pmv.1 + d[1] as i32);
                                            }
                                        }
                                    }
                                    let refi0 = if u0 { sref[p & 3][0] as i32 } else { -1 };
                                    let refi1 = if u1 { sref[p & 3][1] as i32 } else { -1 };
                                    self.b_set_motion(
                                        mbx, mby, px, py, sw, sh, refi0, mv[0], refi1, mv[1],
                                    );
                                    if rec_mode {
                                        self.b_mc_or_record(
                                            mbx,
                                            mby,
                                            px,
                                            py,
                                            sw,
                                            sh,
                                            refi0,
                                            mv[0],
                                            refi1,
                                            mv[1],
                                            &mut pred_y,
                                            &mut c_pred,
                                        );
                                    } else {
                                        self.b_mc(
                                            mbx,
                                            mby,
                                            px,
                                            py,
                                            sw,
                                            sh,
                                            refi0,
                                            mv[0],
                                            refi1,
                                            mv[1],
                                            &mut pred_y,
                                            &mut c_pred,
                                        );
                                    }
                                }
                            }
                        } else {
                            let (layout, mvmode, preds) = b_inter_layout(bmt);
                            let parts: &[(usize, &[usize])] = match mvmode {
                                0 => {
                                    &[(0, &[0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15])]
                                }
                                1 => &[
                                    (0, &[0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7]),
                                    (8, &[8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15]),
                                ],
                                _ => &[
                                    (0, &[0, 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, 11]),
                                    (4, &[4, 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 15]),
                                ],
                            };
                            // ref_idx_l0 for EVERY partition, then ref_idx_l1, then the mvds
                            // (spec 7.3.5.1 macroblock_prediction). This was missing entirely
                            // -- the B path assumed a single reference -- so any B slice with
                            // more than one active reference in either list desynced the
                            // arithmetic decoder at the first partition that codes a ref_idx,
                            // and the slice ended early at a phantom end_of_slice_flag.
                            let mut pref = [[0i8; 2]; 2]; // [partition][list]
                            for list in 0..2usize {
                                let active = if list == 0 {
                                    self.num_ref_active
                                } else {
                                    self.num_ref_active1
                                };
                                if active <= 1 {
                                    continue;
                                }
                                let rc = if list == 0 { &mut refc0 } else { &mut refc1 };
                                for (p, &(pidx, zb)) in parts.iter().enumerate() {
                                    if !preds[p & 1].uses(list) {
                                        continue;
                                    }
                                    let s = CACHE30[pidx & 15].clamp(6, 29);
                                    let c0 =
                                        (rc[s - 1] > 0) as usize + 2 * (rc[s - 6] > 0) as usize;
                                    let r = parse_ref_idx_cabac(&mut cab, c0);
                                    // Seed the cache so a later partition's ref/mvd ctxInc sees it.
                                    for &zbi in zb.iter() {
                                        rc[CACHE30[zbi & 15]] = r;
                                    }
                                    pref[p & 1][list & 1] = r;
                                }
                            }
                            // mvd parse order: list-major, partition-minor (openh264
                            // ParseInterBMotionInfoCabac); the ctxInc reads the same-list cache.
                            for list in 0..2usize {
                                let (mmv, mrf, mc, rc) = if list == 0 {
                                    (&mut mmvd0, &mut mref0, &mut mvdc0, &mut refc0)
                                } else {
                                    (&mut mmvd1, &mut mref1, &mut mvdc1, &mut refc1)
                                };
                                for (p, &(pidx, zb)) in parts.iter().enumerate() {
                                    if preds[p & 1].uses(list) {
                                        parse_mvd_partition(
                                            &mut cab,
                                            pidx,
                                            zb,
                                            mc,
                                            rc,
                                            mmv,
                                            mrf,
                                            pref[p & 1][list & 1],
                                        );
                                    }
                                }
                            }
                            // Per-partition recon: predict each list's MV, commit, MC.
                            let (mbb_x, mbb_y) = (mbx * 4, mby * 4);
                            for (p, &(rx, ry, rw, rh)) in layout.iter().enumerate() {
                                let mut mv = [(0i32, 0i32); 2];
                                // uses(list) is a property of the layout — resolve both
                                // once instead of five times per partition, and build
                                // the neighbour coordinates once instead of per list.
                                let (u0, u1) = (preds[p & 1].uses(0), preds[p & 1].uses(1));
                                let (nx, ny) =
                                    ((mbb_x + rx / 4) as isize, (mbb_y + ry / 4) as isize);
                                let (nw, didx) = ((rw / 4) as isize, (ry / 4) * 4 + rx / 4);
                                // Bi partitions gather both lists at ONE position —
                                // fuse the availability work (same trick as
                                // b_direct_nbrs); uni partitions keep the single
                                // gather.
                                if u0 && u1 {
                                    let (n0, n1) = self.mv_neighbors_both(nx, ny, nw);
                                    for (list, n) in [(0usize, &n0), (1, &n1)] {
                                        let d =
                                            (if list == 0 { &mmvd0 } else { &mmvd1 })[didx & 15];
                                        let pmv = predict_partition_mv(
                                            mvmode,
                                            p,
                                            n[0],
                                            n[1],
                                            n[2],
                                            pref[p & 1][list & 1] as i32,
                                        );
                                        mv[list & 1] = (pmv.0 + d[0] as i32, pmv.1 + d[1] as i32);
                                    }
                                } else {
                                    for list in 0..2usize {
                                        if if list == 0 { u0 } else { u1 } {
                                            let d = (if list == 0 { &mmvd0 } else { &mmvd1 })
                                                [didx & 15];
                                            let n = self.mv_neighbors_list(nx, ny, nw, list);
                                            let pmv = predict_partition_mv(
                                                mvmode,
                                                p,
                                                n[0],
                                                n[1],
                                                n[2],
                                                pref[p & 1][list & 1] as i32,
                                            );
                                            mv[list & 1] =
                                                (pmv.0 + d[0] as i32, pmv.1 + d[1] as i32);
                                        }
                                    }
                                }
                                let refi0 = if u0 { pref[p & 1][0] as i32 } else { -1 };
                                let refi1 = if u1 { pref[p & 1][1] as i32 } else { -1 };
                                self.b_set_motion(
                                    mbx, mby, rx, ry, rw, rh, refi0, mv[0], refi1, mv[1],
                                );
                                // Proper spec bi-prediction (average of L0+L1). NOTE: the CAVLC
                                // decode_b_mb replicates an openh264 bug here for a Bi 16×8/8×16
                                // partition; our pixel gate is ffmpeg (spec-correct), so we do NOT.
                                if rec_mode {
                                    self.b_mc_or_record(
                                        mbx,
                                        mby,
                                        rx,
                                        ry,
                                        rw,
                                        rh,
                                        refi0,
                                        mv[0],
                                        refi1,
                                        mv[1],
                                        &mut pred_y,
                                        &mut c_pred,
                                    );
                                } else {
                                    self.b_mc(
                                        mbx,
                                        mby,
                                        rx,
                                        ry,
                                        rw,
                                        rh,
                                        refi0,
                                        mv[0],
                                        refi1,
                                        mv[1],
                                        &mut pred_y,
                                        &mut c_pred,
                                    );
                                }
                            }
                        }
                        // Paired stores: one index expression per grid pair.
                        // Four per-macroblock grids at one address; each is its own
                        // Vec, so each assignment carried its own check.
                        if let (Some(r0), Some(d0)) = (mb_ref.get_mut(addr), mb_mvd.get_mut(addr)) {
                            (*r0, *d0) = (mref0, mmvd0);
                        }
                        if let (Some(r1), Some(d1)) = (mb_ref1.get_mut(addr), mb_mvd1.get_mut(addr))
                        {
                            (*r1, *d1) = (mref1, mmvd1);
                        }
                        _smv = None; // close b:mvd-parse; the residual half follows
                        let _sres =
                            rusty_h264_common::prof::scope(rusty_h264_common::prof::Stage::BResid);

                        // Inter cbp + residual (identical to the P path).
                        let cbp = parse_cbp_cabac(
                            &mut cab,
                            top.and_then(|a| mb_cbp.get(a).copied()),
                            left.and_then(|a| mb_cbp.get(a).copied()),
                        );
                        if let Some(p) = mb_cbp.get_mut(addr) {
                            *p = cbp as u8;
                        }
                        // H-49: an INTER macroblock carries transform_size_8x8_flag AFTER cbp
                        // (spec 7.3.5), present only when CodedBlockPatternLuma > 0 and
                        // noSubMbPartSizeLessThan8x8Flag. Same context as the intra read.
                        let t8 = self.transform_8x8_mode && (cbp & 15) != 0 && allow8 && {
                            let a = left
                                .map_or(0, |x| self.mb_t8x8.get(x).is_some_and(|&f| f) as usize);
                            let b =
                                top.map_or(0, |x| self.mb_t8x8.get(x).is_some_and(|&f| f) as usize);
                            cab.decode_decision(399 + a + b) != 0
                        };
                        if let Some(p) = self.mb_t8x8.get_mut(addr) {
                            *p = t8;
                        }
                        self.any_t8 |= t8;
                        // D9c-B: coded B with cbp==0 never parses residuals — skip the
                        // ~2.5 KB coeff zero-init + fat BJob when NORES is on (default).
                        // MC already filled pred_y / edc_regions; recon == pred (same as
                        // B_Skip / P InterNoRes). t8 is always false here ((cbp&15)==0).
                        if cbp == 0 && nores_on() {
                            last_delta_qp = 0;
                            if let Some(p) = self.mb_qp.get_mut(addr) {
                                *p = self.cur_qp;
                            }
                            if let Some(p) = cbf_dc.get_mut(addr) {
                                *p = 0;
                            }
                            if let Some(p) = mb_nzc.get_mut(addr) {
                                *p = [0u8; 24];
                            }
                            if let Some(regions) = self.edc_regions.take() {
                                self.edc_giveback();
                                self.edc_commit_nnz(mbx, mby, false, &[0u8; 24], 0);
                                edcstat::bump(&edcstat::J_NORES_SENT, 1);
                                self.edc_send_job(EdcJob::BSkip { mbx, mby, regions });
                            } else {
                                // Inline twin of decode_b_skip's plane copy (MC already done).
                                for dy in 0..16 {
                                    let d = (mby * 16 + dy) * self.cw + mbx * 16;
                                    self.rec_y[d..d + 16]
                                        .copy_from_slice(&pred_y[dy * 16..dy * 16 + 16]);
                                }
                                for c in 0..2 {
                                    let plane = if c == 0 {
                                        &mut self.rec_u
                                    } else {
                                        &mut self.rec_v
                                    };
                                    for dy in 0..8 {
                                        let d = (mby * 8 + dy) * self.ccw + mbx * 8;
                                        plane[d..d + 8]
                                            .copy_from_slice(&c_pred[c][dy * 8..dy * 8 + 8]);
                                    }
                                }
                                let w4 = self.mb_w * 4;
                                for dy in 0..4 {
                                    self.nnz_y[(mby * 4 + dy) * w4 + mbx * 4..][..4].fill(0);
                                }
                            }
                            let eos = cab.decode_terminate();
                            addr += 1;
                            mbx += 1;
                            if eos || addr >= total {
                                break;
                            }
                            continue;
                        }
                        // Scratch planes (see `scratch_luma`): zeroed per coded block by the parse.
                        let mut luma8 = self
                            .scratch_luma8
                            .take()
                            .unwrap_or_else(|| Box::new([[0i32; 64]; 4]));
                        let (cbp_luma, cbp_chroma) = (cbp & 15, cbp >> 4);
                        let mut nzc = [0xffu8; 48];
                        if let Some(t) = top {
                            let tnz = mb_nzc.get(t).unwrap_or(&ZERO_NZC);
                            nzc[1..5].copy_from_slice(&tnz[12..16]);
                            (nzc[0], nzc[5], nzc[29]) = (0, 0, 0);
                            (nzc[6], nzc[7], nzc[30], nzc[31]) =
                                (tnz[20], tnz[21], tnz[22], tnz[23]);
                        }
                        if let Some(l) = left {
                            let lnz = mb_nzc.get(l).unwrap_or(&ZERO_NZC);
                            (nzc[8], nzc[16], nzc[24], nzc[32]) =
                                (lnz[3], lnz[7], lnz[11], lnz[15]);
                            (nzc[13], nzc[21], nzc[37], nzc[45]) =
                                (lnz[17], lnz[21], lnz[19], lnz[23]);
                        }
                        let mut cbfdc = 0u16;
                        let mut nnzs = [0u8; 24]; // parsed totalCoeff per block
                        let mut luma_scan = self
                            .scratch_luma
                            .take()
                            .unwrap_or_else(|| Box::new([[0i32; 16]; 16]));
                        let mut cdc = [[0i32; 4]; 2];
                        let mut cac = self
                            .scratch_cac
                            .take()
                            .unwrap_or_else(|| Box::new([[[0i32; 16]; 4]; 2]));
                        if cbp == 0 {
                            last_delta_qp = 0;
                        }
                        if cbp != 0 {
                            let ndc = (
                                top.and_then(|a| cbf_dc.get(a).copied()),
                                left.and_then(|a| cbf_dc.get(a).copied()),
                            );
                            let qpd = parse_mb_qp_delta_cabac(&mut cab, &mut last_delta_qp);
                            self.step_qp(qpd)?;
                            parse_mb_residual_cabac::<false>(
                                &mut cab,
                                &mut nzc,
                                &mut cbfdc,
                                ndc,
                                cbp_luma,
                                cbp_chroma,
                                t8,
                                ResidualOut {
                                    luma: &mut luma_scan,
                                    luma8: &mut luma8,
                                    cdc: &mut cdc,
                                    cac: &mut cac,
                                    nnzs: &mut nnzs,
                                },
                            );
                        }
                        if let Some(p) = self.mb_qp.get_mut(addr) {
                            *p = self.cur_qp;
                        }
                        if let Some(p) = cbf_dc.get_mut(addr) {
                            *p = cbfdc;
                        }
                        let _sc = rusty_h264_common::prof::scope(
                            rusty_h264_common::prof::Stage::DecStateCache,
                        );
                        let mn = nnz_raster_from_z(&nnzs);
                        if let Some(p) = mb_nzc.get_mut(addr) {
                            *p = mn;
                        }
                        drop(_sc);
                        if let Some(regions) = self.edc_regions.take() {
                            self.edc_giveback();
                            self.edc_commit_nnz(mbx, mby, t8, &nnzs, cbp_chroma);
                            let job = BJob {
                                mbx,
                                mby,
                                qp: self.cur_qp,
                                cbp_chroma,
                                skip: false,
                                regions,
                                // MT-only copies out of the scratch planes (the worker owns its job).
                                luma_scan: (!t8 && cbp_luma != 0).then(|| *luma_scan),
                                luma8: t8.then(|| *luma8),
                                cdc,
                                cac: (cbp_chroma == 2).then(|| *cac),
                                nnzs,
                            };
                            self.edc_send_job(EdcJob::B(Box::new(job)));
                        } else {
                            self.add_inter_residual(
                                mbx,
                                mby,
                                &pred_y,
                                &c_pred,
                                Some(&*luma_scan),
                                t8.then_some(&*luma8),
                                &cdc,
                                (cbp_chroma == 2).then_some(&*cac),
                                cbp_chroma,
                                &nnzs,
                            );
                        }
                        self.scratch_luma = Some(luma_scan);
                        self.scratch_luma8 = Some(luma8);
                        self.scratch_cac = Some(cac);

                        let eos = cab.decode_terminate();
                        addr += 1;
                        mbx += 1;
                        if eos || addr >= total {
                            break;
                        }
                        continue;
                    }
                    mb_type = bmt - 23; // 23→0 (I_4x4), 24..=47→1..24 (I_16x16), 48→25 (PCM)
                } else {
                    let li = left.map_or(0, |a| cat.get(a).is_some_and(|&c| c >= 2) as usize);
                    let ti = top.map_or(0, |a| cat.get(a).is_some_and(|&c| c >= 2) as usize);
                    mb_type = parse_mb_type_i_cabac(&mut cab, li + ti);
                }
                // H-48: the CABAC intra path is INLINED in this loop, not routed through
                // `decode_intra_mb` (which only the CAVLC readers call) — wiring the scope
                // there reported ZERO calls against 480,510 intra-pred calls. All three
                // intra entries (I-slice, P-slice mb_type>3, B-slice bmt>=23) converge
                // here, so this is the one point that sees every intra MB.
                self.edc_intra_sync(); // intra reconstruction reads neighbour PIXELS
                                       // Intra prediction ALSO reads the coded_y/modes_y/inter_y grids a
                                       // deferred span still owes (this arm is inline — it never passes
                                       // decode_b_mb's flush). Caught by the tempete ARM-DIFF.
                self.span_flush();
                let _gi = rusty_h264_common::prof::scope(rusty_h264_common::prof::Stage::DecMbI);
                // Intra bS is a constant pattern (4 on MB edges, 3 internal) — written
                // here because CABAC inlines I recon and never calls decode_intra_mb.
                if let Some(p) = self.mb_kind.get_mut(mby * self.mb_w + mbx) {
                    *p = rusty_h264_common::deblock::MB_KIND_INTRA;
                }
                if mb_type == 25 {
                    // ---- I_PCM (spec §7.3.5): 384 raw byte-aligned sample bytes inside
                    // the CABAC stream. The PCM marker was a terminate bin, so the engine
                    // has stopped; DecodeFlush + pcm_alignment_zero_bit put the samples
                    // at `pcm_start_byte()`, and the engine re-initialises after them
                    // with its CONTEXTS KEPT (§9.3.1). All three slice types (I, P via
                    // mbt 30, B via bmt 48) reach here as mb_type 25.
                    let pcm = cab.pcm_start_byte();
                    let end = pcm + 384;
                    if end > rbsp.len() {
                        return Err(MbError::Truncated);
                    }
                    let mut pr = BitReader::new(&rbsp[pcm..end]);
                    self.decode_ipcm(&mut pr, mbx, mby)?;
                    cab.reinit_at(end);
                    // Neighbour context (§7.4.5 + §9.3.3.1.1.x inferences): intra, QPy
                    // unchanged (no mb_qp_delta — its ctxInc resets), CodedBlockPattern
                    // luma/chroma inferred 15/2, every coded_block_flag (incl. DC) 1,
                    // nnz 16, chroma pred mode 0.
                    if let Some(p) = self.mb_qp.get_mut(addr) {
                        *p = self.cur_qp;
                    }
                    if let Some(p) = cat.get_mut(addr) {
                        *p = 25;
                    }
                    if let Some(p) = cmode.get_mut(addr) {
                        *p = 0;
                    }
                    if let Some(p) = mb_cbp.get_mut(addr) {
                        *p = 0x2f;
                    }
                    if let Some(p) = cbf_dc.get_mut(addr) {
                        *p = (1 << RP_I16_DC) | (1 << RP_CHROMA_DC) | (1 << (RP_CHROMA_DC + 1));
                    }
                    if let Some(p) = mb_nzc.get_mut(addr) {
                        *p = [16u8; 24];
                    }
                    last_delta_qp = 0;
                    let eos = cab.decode_terminate();
                    addr += 1;
                    mbx += 1;
                    if eos || addr >= total {
                        break;
                    }
                    continue;
                }
                // chroma-pred-mode ctxInc from neighbour chroma modes (1..=3).
                let cci = left.map_or(0, |a| {
                    cmode.get(a).is_some_and(|c| (1..=3).contains(c)) as usize
                }) + top.map_or(0, |a| {
                    cmode.get(a).is_some_and(|c| (1..=3).contains(c)) as usize
                });

                if mb_type != 0 {
                    // ---- I_16x16 (mb_type 1..=24): pred mode & cbp DERIVED from mb_type;
                    // luma DC always coded. Syntax order: intra_chroma_pred_mode, mb_qp_delta,
                    // luma DC (Hadamard), luma AC (if cbp_luma), chroma DC/AC. Mirrors the CAVLC
                    // decode_i16, driven by the CABAC residual. ----
                    let mt = mb_type - 1;
                    let pred_mode = I16Mode::from_id(mt % 4);
                    let cbp_chroma = (mt % 12) / 4;
                    let cbp_luma_15 = mt / 12 == 1;
                    let chroma_mode = parse_intra_chroma_pred_mode_cabac(&mut cab, cci) as u8;
                    if let Some(p) = cmode.get_mut(addr) {
                        *p = chroma_mode as i32;
                    }
                    if let Some(p) = cat.get_mut(addr) {
                        *p = 2;
                    }
                    if let Some(p) = mb_cbp.get_mut(addr) {
                        *p = ((cbp_chroma as u8) << 4) | if cbp_luma_15 { 15 } else { 0 };
                    }
                    let w4 = self.mb_w * 4;

                    let mut nzc = [0xffu8; 48];
                    if let Some(t) = top {
                        let tn = mb_nzc.get(t).unwrap_or(&ZERO_NZC);
                        nzc[1..5].copy_from_slice(&tn[12..16]);
                        (nzc[0], nzc[5], nzc[29]) = (0, 0, 0);
                        (nzc[6], nzc[7]) = (tn[20], tn[21]);
                        (nzc[30], nzc[31]) = (tn[22], tn[23]);
                    }
                    if let Some(l) = left {
                        let ln = mb_nzc.get(l).unwrap_or(&ZERO_NZC);
                        (nzc[8], nzc[16], nzc[24], nzc[32]) = (ln[3], ln[7], ln[11], ln[15]);
                        (nzc[13], nzc[21], nzc[37], nzc[45]) = (ln[17], ln[21], ln[19], ln[23]);
                    }

                    let ndc = (
                        top.and_then(|a| cbf_dc.get(a).copied()),
                        left.and_then(|a| cbf_dc.get(a).copied()),
                    );
                    let qpd = parse_mb_qp_delta_cabac(&mut cab, &mut last_delta_qp);
                    self.step_qp(qpd)?;
                    let qp = self.cur_qp;
                    let mut cbfdc = 0u16;
                    let nd = resolve_ndc(ndc, true);
                    let (data, mut e, ctx) = cab.view();

                    // Luma DC (iz=0, category I16_LUMA_DC, 16 coeffs) → Hadamard dequant.
                    let mut dc_scan = [0i32; 16];
                    residual_block_eng::<RP_I16_DC, 16>(
                        &mut e,
                        data,
                        ctx,
                        &mut nzc,
                        &mut cbfdc,
                        0,
                        0,
                        true,
                        nd,
                        &mut dc_scan,
                    );
                    // FUSED scan-order DC: un-scan + Hadamard + scale in one kernel (was 32 moves + 253 instrs).
                    let recon_dc = inverse_quant_luma_dc_scan(
                        &dc_scan,
                        qp,
                        self.scaling.as_ref().map(|s| s[0][0]),
                    );

                    // Luma AC (iz 0..15, category I16_LUMA_AC, 15 coeffs) when cbp_luma set.
                    // Materialised only when AC is actually coded — a DC-only
                    // I_16x16 zeroed 1 KB of stack for nothing.
                    let mut q_blocks: Option<[[i32; 16]; 16]> = None;
                    let mut coded16 = 0u16;
                    for (iz, &(lbx, lby)) in LUMA_4X4_SCAN_XY.iter().enumerate() {
                        let total = if cbp_luma_15 {
                            let mut ac = [0i32; 16];
                            let t = residual_block_eng::<RP_I16_AC, 16>(
                                &mut e, data, ctx, &mut nzc, &mut cbfdc, iz, 0, true, nd, &mut ac,
                            );
                            q_blocks.get_or_insert_with(|| [[0i32; 16]; 16])
                                [(lby & 3) * 4 + (lbx & 3)] = ac; // SCAN order (fused kernel)
                            t as u8
                        } else {
                            nzc[NZC_CACHE[iz.min(23)].min(47)] = 0;
                            0
                        };
                        coded16 |= ((total != 0) as u16) << ((lby & 3) * 4 + (lbx & 3));
                        if let Some(p) = self.nnz_y.get_mut((mby * 4 + lby) * w4 + (mbx * 4 + lbx))
                        {
                            *p = total;
                        }
                    }

                    let mut cdc = [[0i32; 4]; 2];
                    let mut cac: Option<[[[i32; 16]; 4]; 2]> = None;
                    let mut cnnz = [0u8; 8];
                    if cbp_chroma >= 1 {
                        for i in 0..2usize {
                            residual_block_eng::<RP_CHROMA_DC, 4>(
                                &mut e,
                                data,
                                ctx,
                                &mut nzc,
                                &mut cbfdc,
                                16 + i * 4,
                                i,
                                true,
                                nd,
                                &mut cdc[i],
                            );
                        }
                    }
                    if cbp_chroma == 2 {
                        let cacm = cac.get_or_insert_with(|| [[[0i32; 16]; 4]; 2]);
                        for i in 0..2usize {
                            for id4 in 0..4usize {
                                cnnz[(i * 4 + id4) & 7] = residual_block_eng::<RP_CHROMA_AC, 16>(
                                    &mut e,
                                    data,
                                    ctx,
                                    &mut nzc,
                                    &mut cbfdc,
                                    16 + i * 4 + id4,
                                    i,
                                    true,
                                    nd,
                                    &mut cacm[i][id4],
                                ) as u8;
                            }
                        }
                    }

                    cab.commit(e);
                    // Luma recon: 16×16 intra prediction, then per-4×4 (dequant AC + injected DC).
                    let top_ok = mby > 0
                        && self.nbr_in_slice(mbx, mby - 1)
                        && self.intra_nbr_ok(mbx * 4, mby * 4 - 1);
                    let left_ok = mbx > 0
                        && self.nbr_in_slice(mbx - 1, mby)
                        && self.intra_nbr_ok(mbx * 4 - 1, mby * 4);
                    self.recon_i16_luma(
                        mbx,
                        mby,
                        pred_mode,
                        top_ok,
                        left_ok,
                        q_blocks.as_ref(),
                        coded16,
                        &recon_dc,
                        qp,
                    );
                    self.recon_chroma_cabac(
                        mbx,
                        mby,
                        chroma_mode,
                        &cdc,
                        cac.as_ref(),
                        &cnnz,
                        cbp_chroma,
                        top_ok,
                        left_ok,
                    );

                    if let Some(p) = self.mb_qp.get_mut(addr) {
                        *p = self.cur_qp;
                    }
                    if let Some(p) = cbf_dc.get_mut(addr) {
                        *p = cbfdc;
                    }
                    let mut mn = [0u8; 24];
                    for k in 0..4 {
                        mn[k] = nzc[9 + k];
                        mn[4 + k] = nzc[17 + k];
                        mn[8 + k] = nzc[25 + k];
                        mn[12 + k] = nzc[33 + k];
                    }
                    (mn[16], mn[17], mn[20], mn[21]) = (nzc[14], nzc[15], nzc[22], nzc[23]);
                    (mn[18], mn[19], mn[22], mn[23]) = (nzc[38], nzc[39], nzc[46], nzc[47]);
                    for v in mn.iter_mut() {
                        if *v == 0xff {
                            *v = 0;
                        }
                    }
                    if let Some(p) = mb_nzc.get_mut(addr) {
                        *p = mn;
                    }

                    let eos = cab.decode_terminate();
                    addr += 1;
                    mbx += 1;
                    if eos || addr >= total {
                        break;
                    }
                    continue;
                }
                if let Some(p) = cat.get_mut(addr) {
                    *p = 0;
                }
                let w4 = self.mb_w * 4;
                // H-49: transform_size_8x8_flag. For I_NxN it precedes the intra pred
                // modes (spec §7.3.5); ctxIdx = 399 + condTermFlagA + condTermFlagB,
                // each 1 when that neighbour MB carries the flag. Omitting this read is
                // what desynced every High-profile stream.
                let t8 = self.transform_8x8_mode && {
                    let a = left.map_or(0, |x| self.mb_t8x8.get(x).is_some_and(|&f| f) as usize);
                    let b = top.map_or(0, |x| self.mb_t8x8.get(x).is_some_and(|&f| f) as usize);
                    cab.decode_decision(399 + a + b) != 0
                };
                if let Some(p) = self.mb_t8x8.get_mut(addr) {
                    *p = t8;
                }
                self.any_t8 |= t8;
                // Hoisted ABOVE the mode loop (it was computed after it) so the
                // per-block mode prediction can use it - see `predict_i4_mode_fast`.
                let top_ok = mby > 0
                    && self.nbr_in_slice(mbx, mby - 1)
                    && self.intra_nbr_ok(mbx * 4, mby * 4 - 1);
                let left_ok = mbx > 0
                    && self.nbr_in_slice(mbx - 1, mby)
                    && self.intra_nbr_ok(mbx * 4 - 1, mby * 4);
                // Brick 2.4 + recon: derive & store each intra mode (prev-flag → the
                // neighbour-predicted mode, else rem), exactly as the CAVLC path.
                let mut modes = [2u8; 16]; // raster [lby*4+lbx]
                let mut modes8 = [2u8; 4]; // one per 8×8 when t8
                                           // ONE engine view for all 16 (or 4) pred-mode reads of the macroblock.
                let (data, mut e, ctx) = cab.view();
                if t8 {
                    // One mode per 8×8, broadcast to its four 4×4 cells so neighbour
                    // mode prediction keeps working unchanged.
                    for b8 in 0..4usize {
                        let (b8x, b8y) = (b8 % 2, b8 / 2);
                        let (bx, by) = (mbx * 4 + b8x * 2, mby * 4 + b8y * 2);
                        let predicted =
                            self.predict_i4_mode_fast(bx, by, b8x * 2, b8y * 2, top_ok, left_ok);
                        let rr = intra4x4_pred_mode_eng(&mut e, data, ctx);
                        let actual = if rr < 0 {
                            predicted
                        } else {
                            let rem = rr as u8;
                            if rem < predicted {
                                rem
                            } else {
                                rem + 1
                            }
                        };
                        modes8[b8] = actual;
                        for dy in 0..2 {
                            for dx in 0..2 {
                                if let Some(p) = self.modes_y.get_mut((by + dy) * w4 + (bx + dx)) {
                                    *p = actual;
                                }
                                modes[(b8y * 2 + dy) * 4 + (b8x * 2 + dx)] = actual;
                            }
                        }
                    }
                } else {
                    for &(lbx, lby) in &LUMA_4X4_SCAN_XY {
                        let (bx, by) = (mbx * 4 + lbx, mby * 4 + lby);
                        let predicted =
                            self.predict_i4_mode_fast(bx, by, lbx, lby, top_ok, left_ok);
                        let rr = intra4x4_pred_mode_eng(&mut e, data, ctx);
                        let actual = if rr < 0 {
                            predicted
                        } else {
                            let rem = rr as u8;
                            if rem < predicted {
                                rem
                            } else {
                                rem + 1
                            }
                        };
                        if let Some(m) = self.modes_y.get_mut(by * w4 + bx) {
                            *m = actual;
                        }
                        modes[(lby & 3) * 4 + (lbx & 3)] = actual;
                    }
                }
                cab.commit(e);
                let chroma_mode = parse_intra_chroma_pred_mode_cabac(&mut cab, cci) as u8;
                if let Some(p) = cmode.get_mut(addr) {
                    *p = chroma_mode as i32;
                }
                let cbp = parse_cbp_cabac(
                    &mut cab,
                    top.and_then(|a| mb_cbp.get(a).copied()),
                    left.and_then(|a| mb_cbp.get(a).copied()),
                );
                if let Some(p) = mb_cbp.get_mut(addr) {
                    *p = cbp as u8;
                }
                let (cbp_luma, cbp_chroma) = (cbp & 15, cbp >> 4);

                // Build the padded nzc cache from neighbours (openh264 WelsFillCacheNonZeroCount).
                let mut nzc = [0xffu8; 48];
                if let Some(t) = top {
                    let tn = mb_nzc.get(t).unwrap_or(&ZERO_NZC);
                    nzc[1..5].copy_from_slice(&tn[12..16]);
                    (nzc[0], nzc[5], nzc[29]) = (0, 0, 0);
                    (nzc[6], nzc[7]) = (tn[20], tn[21]);
                    (nzc[30], nzc[31]) = (tn[22], tn[23]);
                }
                if let Some(l) = left {
                    let ln = mb_nzc.get(l).unwrap_or(&ZERO_NZC);
                    (nzc[8], nzc[16], nzc[24], nzc[32]) = (ln[3], ln[7], ln[11], ln[15]);
                    (nzc[13], nzc[21], nzc[37], nzc[45]) = (ln[17], ln[21], ln[19], ln[23]);
                }

                // Bricks 2.6 + 2.7: mb_qp_delta + residual (I_4x4 luma 4×4 + chroma DC/AC),
                // storing scan-order coefficients for recon.
                let mut cbfdc = 0u16;
                // Both materialised only when the parse writes them: an I_8x8
                // macroblock never touches luma_scan (it carries luma8), and
                // cbp_chroma < 2 never touches cac.
                // Scratch planes (see `scratch_luma`): zeroed per coded block by the parse.
                let mut luma_scan = self
                    .scratch_luma
                    .take()
                    .unwrap_or_else(|| Box::new([[0i32; 16]; 16]));
                let mut luma8 = self
                    .scratch_luma8
                    .take()
                    .unwrap_or_else(|| Box::new([[0i32; 64]; 4]));
                let mut cdc = [[0i32; 4]; 2];
                let mut cac = self
                    .scratch_cac
                    .take()
                    .unwrap_or_else(|| Box::new([[[0i32; 16]; 4]; 2]));
                let mut nnzs = [0u8; 24]; // parse-side per-block coeff counts
                if cbp == 0 {
                    last_delta_qp = 0;
                }
                if cbp != 0 {
                    let ndc = (
                        top.and_then(|a| cbf_dc.get(a).copied()),
                        left.and_then(|a| cbf_dc.get(a).copied()),
                    );
                    let qpd = parse_mb_qp_delta_cabac(&mut cab, &mut last_delta_qp);
                    self.step_qp(qpd)?;
                    parse_mb_residual_cabac::<true>(
                        &mut cab,
                        &mut nzc,
                        &mut cbfdc,
                        ndc,
                        cbp_luma,
                        cbp_chroma,
                        t8,
                        ResidualOut {
                            luma: &mut luma_scan,
                            luma8: &mut luma8,
                            cdc: &mut cdc,
                            cac: &mut cac,
                            nnzs: &mut nnzs,
                        },
                    );
                    if t8 {
                        // Per-cell nnz for the deblock/neighbour readers: the 8x8 total
                        // (0 for an uncoded 8x8) in each of its four 4x4 cells.
                        for id8 in 0..4usize {
                            let n = nnzs[id8 * 4];
                            let (b8x, b8y) = (id8 % 2, id8 / 2);
                            for sy in 0..2 {
                                for sx in 0..2 {
                                    if let Some(p) = self.nnz_y.get_mut(
                                        (mby * 4 + b8y * 2 + sy) * w4 + (mbx * 4 + b8x * 2 + sx),
                                    ) {
                                        *p = n;
                                    }
                                }
                            }
                        }
                    }
                }
                if let Some(p) = self.mb_qp.get_mut(addr) {
                    *p = self.cur_qp;
                }
                if let Some(p) = cbf_dc.get_mut(addr) {
                    *p = cbfdc;
                }
                // Extract the MB's nzc (raster luma + chroma) for future neighbours.
                let mn = nnz_raster_from_z(&nnzs);
                if let Some(p) = mb_nzc.get_mut(addr) {
                    *p = mn;
                }

                // ---- Brick 4.3a: recon (I_4x4 luma + chroma) via the CAVLC-proven primitives.
                let qp = self.cur_qp;

                if t8 {
                    // I_8x8 recon, reusing the CAVLC-proven primitives verbatim
                    // (un_scan_8x8 / inv_quant8 / gather_i8 / intra8x8_pred /
                    // add_residual_8x8). Only the ENTROPY half differed.
                    for b8 in 0..4usize {
                        let (b8x, b8y) = (b8 % 2, b8 / 2);
                        let (bx, by) = (mbx * 4 + b8x * 2, mby * 4 + b8y * 2);
                        let coded = cbp_luma & (1 << b8) != 0;
                        let avail_top = b8y > 0 || top_ok;
                        let avail_left = b8x > 0 || left_ok;
                        self.recon_i8_block(
                            bx,
                            by,
                            modes8[b8],
                            avail_top,
                            avail_left,
                            coded.then_some(&luma8[b8]),
                            qp,
                        );
                        for sy in 0..2 {
                            // Row fill: the 2x2 cell block is two contiguous PAIRS.
                            self.coded_y[(by + sy) * w4 + bx..][..2].fill(true);
                        }
                    }
                }
                // The `t8` guard was INSIDE the loop (breaking on the first
                // iteration) and the `luma_scan` Option was re-resolved on EVERY one
                // of the sixteen blocks. Both are macroblock-invariant.
                if !t8 {
                    let scans = &*luma_scan;
                    // Residual ladders decided up front (`i4_prepare`), then the serial
                    // predict+add walk with the SIMD IDCT+add kernel per coded block.
                    let lnnz: [u8; 16] = core::array::from_fn(|i| nnzs[i]);
                    let kinds = self.i4_prepare(scans, &lnnz, qp);
                    let dq0 = self.dq_const(qp, 0);
                    for (blk, &(lbx, lby)) in LUMA_4X4_SCAN_XY.iter().enumerate() {
                        let (bx, by) = (mbx * 4 + lbx, mby * 4 + lby);
                        let at = lby > 0 || top_ok;
                        let al = lbx > 0 || left_ok;
                        self.recon_i4_block_res(
                            bx,
                            by,
                            modes[(lby & 3) * 4 + (lbx & 3)],
                            at,
                            al,
                            kinds[blk & 15],
                            scans,
                            &dq0,
                        );
                    }
                    // Per-MB ROW COPIES for nnz_y (from the raster `mn` already built) and
                    // coded_y (routing round): sixteen + sixteen checked scattered stores
                    // per macroblock -> four + four row operations. Nothing inside this
                    // macroblock reads either grid for its own blocks (interior top-right
                    // availability is the z-order constant now).
                    for ry in 0..4usize {
                        let a = (mby * 4 + ry) * w4 + mbx * 4;
                        self.nnz_y[a..a + 4].copy_from_slice(&mn[ry * 4..ry * 4 + 4]);
                        self.coded_y[a..a + 4].fill(true);
                    }
                }
                self.recon_chroma_cabac(
                    mbx,
                    mby,
                    chroma_mode,
                    &cdc,
                    (cbp_chroma == 2).then_some(&*cac),
                    nnzs[16..24].try_into().expect("8 chroma counts"),
                    cbp_chroma,
                    top_ok,
                    left_ok,
                );
                self.scratch_luma = Some(luma_scan);
                self.scratch_luma8 = Some(luma8);
                self.scratch_cac = Some(cac);

                // Brick 2.1: end_of_slice_flag.
                let eos = cab.decode_terminate();
                addr += 1;
                mbx += 1;
                if eos || addr >= total {
                    break;
                }
            }
        }
        if trace {
            eprintln!("# CABAC decoded {} MBs (of {total})", addr - first_mb);
        }
        self.edc_flush(); // slice end: no job crosses a slice boundary
                          // Return the pooled slice scratch (an error exit forfeits it — the
                          // next slice then refills fresh allocations, correctness unchanged).
        self.sc_cat = cat;
        self.sc_cbp = mb_cbp;
        self.sc_cmode = cmode;
        self.sc_nzc = mb_nzc;
        self.sc_cbfdc = cbf_dc;
        self.sc_skip = mb_skip;
        self.sc_ref = mb_ref;
        self.sc_mvd = mb_mvd;
        if want_b_grids {
            self.sc_ref1 = mb_ref1;
            self.sc_mvd1 = mb_mvd1;
            self.sc_direct = mb_direct;
        }
        Ok(addr)
    }

    /// CABAC chroma recon (mirrors `decode_chroma`'s reconstruction, driven by the
    /// CABAC-parsed DC/AC coefficients). `cdc[c]` = 2×2 DC (scan order); `cac[c][blk]`
    /// = 15 AC per 4×4 block (scan order).
    #[allow(clippy::too_many_arguments)]
    /// Add a CABAC-parsed inter residual to an already-built motion-comp prediction
    /// (`pred_y`/`c_pred`), writing the reconstruction. Shared by the P and B inter
    /// paths — same `reconstruct_4x4` as intra, MC output as the prediction, inter
    /// scaling lists (luma 3 / chroma 4+c). `luma_scan[z]`/`cdc`/`cac` are the
    /// scan-order coefficients; uncoded blocks are zero so recon == prediction.
    #[allow(clippy::too_many_arguments)]
    fn add_inter_residual(
        &mut self,
        mb_x: usize,
        mb_y: usize,
        pred_y: &[u8; 256],
        c_pred: &[[u8; 64]; 2],
        luma_scan: Option<&[[i32; 16]; 16]>,
        // `Some` when the macroblock carries transform_size_8x8_flag: four 8x8
        // blocks in 8x8 scan order, replacing the sixteen 4x4 luma blocks.
        luma8: Option<&[[i32; 64]; 4]>,
        cdc: &[[i32; 4]; 2],
        cac: Option<&[[[i32; 16]; 4]; 2]>,
        cbp_chroma: u32,
        // Parsed totalCoeff per block, indexed exactly as the parse's `iz`:
        // [0..16] luma 4x4 z-order (for t8, the 8x8 count sits at `id8*4`),
        // [16..24] chroma AC as `16 + c*4 + id4`. The parser already counted
        // every significant coefficient; re-deriving the counts here scanned
        // 16-64 array elements per block (~400 loads/MB) for information the
        // caller was holding — the diagnosis's stage-boundary re-derivation tax.
        nnzs: &[u8; 24],
    ) {
        // A `None` field means the parse wrote nothing there; every read below
        // is guarded by a zero-count test, so the shared zero plane is
        // read-equivalent to the per-macroblock zeroed stack array it replaces.
        let luma_scan = luma_scan.unwrap_or(&ZERO_LUMA_SCAN);
        let cac = cac.unwrap_or(&ZERO_CAC);
        let _g = rusty_h264_common::prof::scope(rusty_h264_common::prof::Stage::DecResidAdd);
        let qp = self.cur_qp;
        let qpc = self.chroma_qp_for(qp);
        let (w4r, w2r) = (self.mb_w * 4, self.mb_w * 2);
        if let Some(l8) = luma8 {
            // INTER 8x8 luma: same primitives the I_8x8 and CAVLC paths use.
            for b8 in 0..4usize {
                let (b8x, b8y) = (b8 % 2, b8 / 2);
                // PER-CELL, not one aggregate broadcast over all four cells. CAVLC
                // codes an 8x8 block as four 4x4 sub-blocks and its nC predictor
                // reads these per-4x4 counts from `nnz_y`, so the broadcast
                // corrupted the NEXT macroblock's nC and desynced the parse -- which
                // is why CAVLC 8x8 streams ffmpeg accepts would not decode here. The
                // worker copy of this function never wrote `nnz_y` at all, so the
                // threaded path was unaffected and hid the defect. CABAC has no
                // per-4x4 counts, so its callers put the 8x8 total in all four slots.
                let nnz: u32 = (0..4).map(|k| nnzs[b8 * 4 + k] as u32).sum();
                // Two row slices, not four whole-grid indexed stores. The pair
                // written per row is contiguous and `nnzs` is a fixed 24-entry
                // array, so both sides become provable.
                for sy in 0..2 {
                    let base = (mb_y * 4 + b8y * 2 + sy) * w4r + mb_x * 4 + b8x * 2;
                    self.nnz_y[base..][..2].copy_from_slice(&nnzs[b8 * 4 + sy * 2..][..2]);
                }
                // The 4x4 inter path marks coded_y per block; the 8x8 branch must too,
                // or a later intra macroblock's neighbour availability is wrong.
                for sy in 0..2 {
                    let base = (mb_y * 4 + b8y * 2 + sy) * w4r + mb_x * 4 + b8x * 2;
                    self.coded_y[base..][..2].fill(true);
                }
                let (px, py) = (mb_x * 16 + b8x * 8, mb_y * 16 + b8y * 8);
                if nnz == 0 {
                    // Zero residual: recon == pred — the 4x4 arm zero shortcut,
                    // ported to the 8x8 branch.
                    edcstat::bump(&edcstat::T8_ZERO, 1);
                    for dy in 0..8 {
                        let d = (py + dy) * self.cw + px;
                        let po = (b8y * 8 + dy) * 16 + b8x * 8;
                        self.rec_y[d..d + 8].copy_from_slice(&pred_y[po..po + 8]);
                    }
                } else {
                    let raster = un_scan_8x8(&l8[b8]);
                    // list 1 = INTER 8x8 luma scaling list (0 is the intra one).
                    let res8 = self.inv_quant8(&raster, qp, 1);
                    let predb: [i32; 64] = core::array::from_fn(|i| {
                        pred_y[(b8y * 8 + i / 8) * 16 + (b8x * 8 + i % 8)] as i32
                    });
                    let recon = add_residual_8x8(&res8, &predb);
                    // Eight row copies. This wrote SIXTY-FOUR individually
                    // bounds-checked samples into the luma plane per coded 8x8
                    // block — the same shape whose fix carried `recon_i8_block`.
                    // Present in BOTH the main path and the EDC worker twin.
                    for dy in 0..8 {
                        let d = (py + dy) * self.cw + px;
                        self.rec_y[d..][..8].copy_from_slice(&recon[dy * 8..][..8]);
                    }
                }
            }
        }
        // RESIDUAL LADDER, then the SIMD IDCT+add kernel per parked block (SIMD census
        // 2026-09-05). The zero and DC-only ladders write the plane in the loop;
        // every other coded block parks its dequantised coefficients here and is
        // reconstructed by `reconstruct_4x4_into` = accel `idct4x4_add` (in-register
        // transposes, exact on i32). A lane-per-block BATCHED form was tried first
        // and lost on all-intra content: its scalar gathers cost more than the
        // butterflies they vectorised.
        let dq3 = self.dq_const(qp, 3);
        for (blk, &(lbx, lby)) in LUMA_4X4_SCAN_XY.iter().enumerate() {
            if luma8.is_some() {
                break;
            }
            let nnz = nnzs[blk];
            if let Some(p) = self
                .nnz_y
                .get_mut((mb_y * 4 + lby) * w4r + (mb_x * 4 + lbx))
            {
                *p = nnz;
            }
            let cw = self.cw;
            let p_off = (lby * 4) * 16 + lbx * 4;
            let r_off = (mb_y * 4 + lby) * 4 * cw + (mb_x * 4 + lbx) * 4;
            if nnz == 0 {
                // Zero residual → recon == prediction EXACTLY (the integer IDCT is
                // linear so zeros map to zeros, and pred is already 0..=255) — copy
                // the pred rows straight into the plane. On real (sparse-cbp)
                // streams this is MOST of the 4×4 blocks.
                for r in 0..4 {
                    self.rec_y[r_off + r * cw..r_off + r * cw + 4]
                        .copy_from_slice(&pred_y[p_off + r * 16..p_off + r * 16 + 4]);
                }
                continue;
            }
            // DC-ONLY: the sole significant coefficient is scan position 0 (the
            // zig-zag starts at DC, and un_scan keeps it at raster 0), so the
            // whole dequant + IDCT collapses to one multiply and a flat add.
            if nnz == 1 && luma_scan[blk][0] != 0 {
                let f = self.dequant_dc4(luma_scan[blk][0], qp, 3);
                reconstruct_4x4_dc_into(
                    (f + 32) >> 6,
                    pred_y,
                    p_off,
                    16,
                    &mut self.rec_y,
                    r_off,
                    cw,
                );
            } else {
                // Fused un-scan + dequant over ONLY the significant coefficients,
                // then IDCT + add + clip straight into the plane — no `qb`, no
                // `deq`-from-dense, no `predb` gather, no `s`, no `store` call.
                //
                // HYBRID: the scatter walks scan positions with a data-dependent
                // branch per slot, which beats the branchless dense 16-multiply
                // loop only while the block is SPARSE. The DC/zero fast paths
                // already removed the sparsest blocks, so the population here
                // skews denser — above ~6 coefficients the dense loop wins.
                // FUSED: un-scan + dequant + IDCT + add in one kernel call (dense-over-scatter round).
                reconstruct_4x4_scan_into::<false>(
                    &luma_scan[blk],
                    &dq3,
                    0,
                    pred_y,
                    p_off,
                    16,
                    &mut self.rec_y,
                    r_off,
                    cw,
                );
            }
        }
        let mut c_dc = [[0i32; 4]; 2];
        if cbp_chroma != 0 {
            for c in 0..2 {
                c_dc[c] = self.dequant_chroma_dc(&cdc[c], qpc, 4 + c);
            }
        }
        let dqc = [self.dq_const(qpc, 4), self.dq_const(qpc, 5)];
        let ccw = self.ccw;
        for c in 0..2 {
            for &(bx, by) in &CHROMA_4X4_SCAN_XY {
                let mut ac_nz = false;
                if cbp_chroma == 2 {
                    let n = nnzs[(16 + c * 4 + by * 2 + bx).min(23)];
                    if let Some(p) =
                        self.nnz_c[c & 1].get_mut((mb_y * 2 + by) * w2r + (mb_x * 2 + bx))
                    {
                        *p = n;
                    }
                    ac_nz = n != 0;
                }
                let dc = c_dc[c & 1][(by * 2 + bx) & 3];
                let p_off = (by * 4) * 8 + bx * 4;
                let r_off = (mb_y * 2 + by) * 4 * ccw + (mb_x * 2 + bx) * 4;
                let plane = if c == 0 {
                    &mut self.rec_u
                } else {
                    &mut self.rec_v
                };
                if dc == 0 && !ac_nz {
                    // Zero residual (no AC, zero DC) → recon == prediction exactly.
                    for r in 0..4 {
                        plane[r_off + r * ccw..r_off + r * ccw + 4]
                            .copy_from_slice(&c_pred[c][p_off + r * 8..p_off + r * 8 + 4]);
                    }
                    continue;
                }
                // DC-ONLY (no coded AC — covers every cbp_chroma==1 block and the
                // AC-empty blocks of cbp_chroma==2): the chroma DC arrives ALREADY
                // dequantized, so the residual is `(dc + 32) >> 6` flat.
                if !ac_nz {
                    reconstruct_4x4_dc_into(
                        (dc + 32) >> 6,
                        &c_pred[c],
                        p_off,
                        8,
                        plane,
                        r_off,
                        ccw,
                    );
                    continue;
                }
                // AC-only scan: index i is overall scan position i+1 (ac_shift=1).
                // Same sparse/dense hybrid as luma.
                reconstruct_4x4_scan_into::<true>(
                    &cac[c & 1][(by * 2 + bx) & 3],
                    &dqc[c & 1],
                    dc,
                    &c_pred[c],
                    p_off,
                    8,
                    plane,
                    r_off,
                    ccw,
                );
            }
        }
    }

    // ── SHARED INTRA RECON PRIMITIVES ──────────────────────────────────
    // ONE implementation per block family, called by BOTH entropy arms.
    // The per-coder recon twins are where routing rot lived: the residual
    // ladder and the DC-only collapse each had to be found and ported
    // twin-by-twin. The parse halves stay per-coder (that is the real
    // difference between the coders); the pixel halves live here — the
    // same convergence D14 gave the inter path via add_inter_residual.

    /// The residual ladder of an intra 4x4 block, decided BEFORE the serial
    /// predict+add walk (SIMD census 2026-09-05); each coded block is then
    /// reconstructed by the SIMD IDCT+add kernel.
    /// Zero -> recon == pred; Flat -> DC-only, one value; Idx -> a slot in the
    /// batched residual array.
    fn i4_prepare(&self, scans: &[[i32; 16]; 16], nnzs: &[u8; 16], qp: u8) -> [I4Res; 16] {
        let mut kinds = [I4Res::Zero; 16];
        for blk in 0..16 {
            let (nnz, scan) = (nnzs[blk], &scans[blk]);
            kinds[blk] = if nnz == 0 {
                edcstat::bump(&edcstat::I4_ZERO, 1);
                I4Res::Zero
            } else if nnz == 1 && scan[0] != 0 {
                edcstat::bump(&edcstat::I4_DC, 1);
                let f = self.dequant_dc4(scan[0], qp, 0);
                I4Res::Flat((f + 32) >> 6)
            } else {
                edcstat::bump(&edcstat::I4_DENSE, 1);
                I4Res::Idx(blk as u8) // dense: the fused kernel takes the scan block
            };
        }
        kinds
    }

    /// Intra 4x4 luma block with its residual PRE-TRANSFORMED by [`Self::i4_prepare`]:
    /// gather + predict (serial, depends on the previous block's recon) + add.
    #[allow(clippy::too_many_arguments)]
    fn recon_i4_block_res(
        &mut self,
        bx: usize,
        by: usize,
        mode: u8,
        at: bool,
        al: bool,
        kind: I4Res,
        scans: &[[i32; 16]; 16],
        dq: &DequantQp,
    ) {
        let (px, py) = (bx * 4, by * 4);
        let (t, l, corner) = self.gather_i4(px, py, at, al, bx, by);
        let pred = intra4x4_pred(mode, at, al, &t, &l, corner);
        let r_off = py * self.cw + px;
        let cw = self.cw;
        match kind {
            I4Res::Zero => {
                let win = &mut self.rec_y[r_off..r_off + 3 * cw + 4];
                for r in 0..4 {
                    win[r * cw..r * cw + 4].copy_from_slice(&pred[r * 4..r * 4 + 4]);
                }
            }
            I4Res::Flat(v) => reconstruct_4x4_dc_into(v, &pred, 0, 4, &mut self.rec_y, r_off, cw),
            I4Res::Idx(i) => reconstruct_4x4_scan_into::<false>(
                &scans[i as usize & 15],
                dq,
                0,
                &pred,
                0,
                4,
                &mut self.rec_y,
                r_off,
                cw,
            ),
        }
        // coded_y is filled per macroblock row by the callers (routing round).
    }

    /// Intra 8x8 luma block: predict + zero-arm or un-scan/quant/add.
    /// `coeffs` = SCAN-order 8x8 coefficients, `None` when the cbp bit is
    /// unset. `coded_y` marking stays with the callers (their orders differ).
    fn recon_i8_block(
        &mut self,
        bx: usize,
        by: usize,
        mode: u8,
        avail_top: bool,
        avail_left: bool,
        coeffs: Option<&[i32; 64]>,
        qp: u8,
    ) {
        let (px, py) = (bx * 4, by * 4);
        let (t, l, corner, avail_corner) = self.gather_i8(px, py, avail_top, avail_left, bx, by);
        let pred = intra8x8_pred(mode, avail_top, avail_left, avail_corner, &t, &l, corner);
        match coeffs {
            None => {
                // Zero residual: recon == pred exactly.
                edcstat::bump(&edcstat::T8_ZERO, 1);
                let (cw, base) = (self.cw, py * self.cw + px);
                let win = &mut self.rec_y[base..base + 7 * cw + 8];
                for dy in 0..8 {
                    win[dy * cw..dy * cw + 8].copy_from_slice(&pred[dy * 8..dy * 8 + 8]);
                }
            }
            Some(scan8) => {
                let raster = un_scan_8x8(scan8);
                let res8 = self.inv_quant8(&raster, qp, 0);
                // Written once rather than zeroed-then-filled.
                let predb: [i32; 64] = core::array::from_fn(|i| pred[i] as i32);
                let recon = add_residual_8x8(&res8, &predb);
                // ROW COPIES, NOT PER-PIXEL STORES. This wrote all 64 samples
                // one at a time, each separately bounds-checked, where the
                // destination is eight contiguous 8-byte runs `cw` apart.
                // REFUTED, do not retry: replacing this WINDOW + sub-slice with
                // eight direct `rec_y[d..][..8]` slices left the panic count
                // EXACTLY unchanged (12) and cost +3.0% instructions. Neither
                // form folds the check, but the window amortises the base
                // address computation across the eight rows. (Contrast
                // `gather_tile`, where a window cost +57.6% — a window pays only
                // when the rows it spans are written in one tight loop.)
                let (cw, base) = (self.cw, py * self.cw + px);
                let win = &mut self.rec_y[base..base + 7 * cw + 8];
                for dy in 0..8 {
                    win[dy * cw..dy * cw + 8].copy_from_slice(&recon[dy * 8..dy * 8 + 8]);
                }
            }
        }
    }

    /// I_16x16 luma: neighbor gather + prediction + the 16 4x4 AC blocks
    /// with the DC-only collapse. `q_blocks` = RASTER AC (slot 0 unused),
    /// `recon_dc` = the Hadamard-dequantized DC per block. Marks modes_y
    /// (I_16x16 predicts as DC for neighbors) + coded_y.
    #[allow(clippy::too_many_arguments)]
    fn recon_i16_luma(
        &mut self,
        mbx: usize,
        mby: usize,
        pred_mode: rusty_h264_common::predict::I16Mode,
        top_ok: bool,
        left_ok: bool,
        q_blocks: Option<&[[i32; 16]; 16]>,
        coded: u16,
        recon_dc: &[i32; 16],
        qp: u8,
    ) {
        // `None` on a DC-only I_16x16 macroblock (CodedBlockPatternLuma == 0):
        // no AC was parsed, so the shared zero plane is read-equivalent to the
        // 1 KB of stack this used to zero per macroblock.
        let q_blocks = q_blocks.unwrap_or(&ZERO_LUMA_SCAN);
        let w4 = self.mb_w * 4;
        let (lx, ly) = (mbx * 16, mby * 16);
        let mut t16 = [0u8; 16];
        let mut l16 = [0u8; 16];
        if top_ok {
            t16.copy_from_slice(self.top_y_row(ly, lx, 16));
        }
        if left_ok {
            // ONE check for the 16-sample column (see `gather_i4`).
            // `step_by` walk rather than a span + `col[i * cw]` (see `gather_i8`):
            // the span form's inner index stayed checked on all sixteen samples.
            let (cw, base) = (self.cw, ly * self.cw + lx - 1);
            for (s, &v) in l16.iter_mut().zip(self.rec_y[base..].iter().step_by(cw)) {
                *s = v;
            }
        }
        let corner = if top_ok && left_ok {
            self.top_y_px(ly, lx - 1)
        } else {
            0
        };
        let pred_l = luma16x16_pred(pred_mode, top_ok, left_ok, &t16, &l16, corner);
        // AC blocks parked, then the SIMD IDCT+add kernel per block (the pred is whole).
        let dq0 = self.dq_const(qp, 0);
        for by in 0..4 {
            for bx in 0..4 {
                let p_off = (by * 4) * 16 + bx * 4;
                let r_off = (ly + by * 4) * self.cw + lx + bx * 4;
                // ROUTED ON THE PARSE`S CODED MASK (routing round): was a 16-word compare.
                if coded & (1u16 << ((by & 3) * 4 + (bx & 3))) == 0 {
                    // Zero AC: the residual is the Hadamard DC alone.
                    edcstat::bump(&edcstat::I16_DCONLY, 1);
                    reconstruct_4x4_dc_into(
                        (recon_dc[by * 4 + bx] + 32) >> 6,
                        &pred_l,
                        p_off,
                        16,
                        &mut self.rec_y,
                        r_off,
                        self.cw,
                    );
                } else {
                    // q_blocks holds the SCAN-order AC; the fused kernel un-scans, dequantises
                    // and inserts the Hadamard DC.
                    reconstruct_4x4_scan_into::<true>(
                        &q_blocks[(by & 3) * 4 + (bx & 3)],
                        &dq0,
                        recon_dc[by * 4 + bx],
                        &pred_l,
                        p_off,
                        16,
                        &mut self.rec_y,
                        r_off,
                        self.cw,
                    );
                }
            }
        }
        // ROW FILLS. The mode/coded grids were written one 4x4 cell at a time
        // inside the recon loop; each macroblock row is four CONTIGUOUS cells,
        // so four fills replace sixteen indexed stores.
        for by in 0..4 {
            let r = (mby * 4 + by) * w4 + mbx * 4;
            self.modes_y[r..r + 4].fill(2);
            self.coded_y[r..r + 4].fill(true);
        }
    }

    /// Chroma 8x8 recon, both planes: prediction + four 4x4 blocks per
    /// plane with the DC-only collapse. `qac` = RASTER AC per plane/block
    /// (all-zero when uncoded), `dc` = the 2x2-Hadamard-dequantized DC.
    #[allow(clippy::too_many_arguments)]
    fn recon_chroma_blocks(
        &mut self,
        mb_x: usize,
        mb_y: usize,
        chroma_mode: u8,
        avail_top: bool,
        avail_left: bool,
        qac: &[[[i32; 16]; 4]; 2],
        coded: [u8; 2],
        dc: &[[i32; 4]; 2],
        qpc: u8,
    ) {
        let (cx, cy) = (mb_x * 8, mb_y * 8);
        let dqc = [self.dq_const(qpc, 1), self.dq_const(qpc, 2)];
        for c in 0..2 {
            let mut ctop = [0u8; 8];
            let mut cleft = [0u8; 8];
            let mut ccorner = 0u8;
            {
                let rec_c = if c == 0 { &self.rec_u } else { &self.rec_v };
                if avail_top {
                    ctop.copy_from_slice(self.top_c_row(c, cy, cx, 8));
                }
                if avail_left {
                    // Strided WALK, as in `gather_i4`/`gather_i8`.
                    let cbase = cy * self.ccw + cx - 1;
                    for (o, &v) in cleft
                        .iter_mut()
                        .zip(rec_c[cbase..].iter().step_by(self.ccw))
                    {
                        *o = v;
                    }
                }
                if avail_top && avail_left {
                    ccorner = self.top_c_px(c, cy, cx - 1);
                }
            }
            let pred8 = chroma8x8_pred(chroma_mode, avail_top, avail_left, &ctop, &cleft, ccorner);
            // Coded AC blocks parked (up to 4), then the SIMD IDCT+add kernel per block.
            for &(bx, by) in &CHROMA_4X4_SCAN_XY {
                let p_off = (by * 4) * 8 + bx * 4;
                let ccw = self.ccw;
                let r_off = (cy + by * 4) * ccw + cx + bx * 4;
                if coded[c & 1] & (1u8 << ((by * 2 + bx) & 3)) == 0 {
                    // Zero AC (cbp_chroma <= 1, the common case): DC-alone flat add.
                    edcstat::bump(&edcstat::I16_DCONLY, 1);
                    let plane = if c == 0 {
                        &mut self.rec_u
                    } else {
                        &mut self.rec_v
                    };
                    reconstruct_4x4_dc_into(
                        (dc[c & 1][(by * 2 + bx) & 3] + 32) >> 6,
                        &pred8,
                        p_off,
                        8,
                        plane,
                        r_off,
                        ccw,
                    );
                } else {
                    let plane = if c == 0 {
                        &mut self.rec_u
                    } else {
                        &mut self.rec_v
                    };
                    reconstruct_4x4_scan_into::<true>(
                        &qac[c & 1][(by * 2 + bx) & 3],
                        &dqc[c & 1],
                        dc[c & 1][(by * 2 + bx) & 3],
                        &pred8,
                        p_off,
                        8,
                        plane,
                        r_off,
                        ccw,
                    );
                }
            }
        }
    }

    fn recon_chroma_cabac(
        &mut self,
        mb_x: usize,
        mb_y: usize,
        chroma_mode: u8,
        cdc: &[[i32; 4]; 2],
        cac: Option<&[[[i32; 16]; 4]; 2]>,
        cnnz: &[u8; 8], // parse-side AC counts, c * 4 + by * 2 + bx (routing round: was a 128-word rescan)
        cbp_chroma: u32,
        avail_top: bool,
        avail_left: bool,
    ) {
        // `None` = no chroma AC was parsed; every read below is already gated
        // on cbp_chroma == 2, so the shared zero plane is read-equivalent.
        let cac = cac.unwrap_or(&ZERO_CAC);
        let qpc = self.chroma_qp_for(self.cur_qp);
        let mut c_dc = [[0i32; 4]; 2];
        if cbp_chroma != 0 {
            for c in 0..2 {
                c_dc[c] = self.dequant_chroma_dc(&cdc[c], qpc, 1 + c);
            }
        }
        // ENTROPY-SIDE half: un-scan the AC into raster + commit nnz_c; the
        // pixel half is the SHARED recon_chroma_blocks.
        let w2 = self.mb_w * 2;
        let mut ccoded = [0u8; 2];
        if cbp_chroma == 2 {
            for c in 0..2 {
                for &(bx, by) in &CHROMA_4X4_SCAN_XY {
                    let cnt = cnnz[(c * 4 + by * 2 + bx) & 7];
                    ccoded[c & 1] |= ((cnt != 0) as u8) << ((by * 2 + bx) & 3);
                    if let Some(p) =
                        self.nnz_c[c & 1].get_mut((mb_y * 2 + by) * w2 + (mb_x * 2 + bx))
                    {
                        *p = cnt;
                    }
                }
            }
        }
        self.recon_chroma_blocks(
            mb_x,
            mb_y,
            chroma_mode,
            avail_top,
            avail_left,
            cac,
            ccoded,
            &c_dc,
            qpc,
        );
    }

    /// D14 — the CAVLC E-seam (P3 item 5). Mirrors `decode_slice_data_cabac`:
    /// overlap parse (this thread) with pixel reconstruction (a scoped worker
    /// owning the planes). Now possible because the CAVLC inter recon was
    /// converged onto `add_inter_residual`, so both entropy coders emit the SAME
    /// `PInterJob` and share one worker recon.
    pub fn decode_slice_data(
        &mut self,
        r: &mut BitReader,
        is_p: bool,
        first_mb: usize,
    ) -> Result<usize, MbError> {
        // Same cross-slice guard as the CABAC loop head.
        self.span_flush();
        let eligible = edc_on() && rowdb_on() && (is_p || self.is_b);
        let threaded = eligible && edc_spawn_worker(self.mb_w, self.mb_h, self.bits_per_mb, false);
        edcstat::bump(&edcstat::DISPATCH_ON, threaded as u64);
        edcstat::bump(&edcstat::DISPATCH_SEEN, eligible as u64);
        if !threaded {
            return self.decode_slice_cavlc_inner(r, is_p, first_mb);
        }
        #[cfg(feature = "std")]
        {
            let ctx = self.edc_take_ctx();
            let (tx, rx) = crate::sync::mpsc::sync_channel::<EdcMsg>(edc_bound());
            let (ctx_tx, ctx_rx) = crate::sync::mpsc::channel::<PixelCtx>();
            let (back_tx, back_rx) = crate::sync::mpsc::channel::<PixelCtx>();
            let (res, ctx, panicked) = std::thread::scope(|sc| {
                let h = sc.spawn(move || edc_worker(ctx, rx, ctx_tx, back_rx));
                self.edc_tx = Some(tx);
                self.edc_ctx_rx = Some(ctx_rx);
                self.edc_back_tx = Some(back_tx);
                // UNWIND SAFETY (same trap the CABAC wrapper documents): the sender
                // lives in `self`, which outlives an unwind, so a panic in the parse
                // loop would leave the channel open, the worker alive and the scope
                // join blocking forever — turning a diagnosable panic into a silent
                // deadlock. Catch, clean up, join, restore, THEN resume.
                let r2 = std::panic::catch_unwind(std::panic::AssertUnwindSafe(|| {
                    self.decode_slice_cavlc_inner(r, is_p, first_mb)
                }));
                self.edc_flush_batch();
                self.edc_giveback();
                self.edc_tx = None;
                self.edc_ctx_rx = None;
                self.edc_back_tx = None;
                match (r2, h.join()) {
                    (Ok(res), Ok(ctx)) => (res, Some(ctx), None),
                    (Err(pn), Ok(ctx)) => (Err(MbError::Truncated), Some(ctx), Some(pn)),
                    (Ok(_), Err(pn)) | (Err(_), Err(pn)) => {
                        (Err(MbError::Truncated), None, Some(pn))
                    }
                }
            });
            if let Some(ctx) = ctx {
                self.edc_restore_ctx(ctx);
            }
            if let Some(pn) = panicked {
                std::panic::resume_unwind(pn);
            }
            return res;
        }
        #[cfg(not(feature = "std"))]
        {
            unreachable!("the EDC worker needs std; edc_spawn_worker is false without it")
        }
    }

    fn decode_slice_cavlc_inner(
        &mut self,
        r: &mut BitReader,
        is_p: bool,
        first_mb: usize,
    ) -> Result<usize, MbError> {
        let total = self.mb_w * self.mb_h;
        self.slice_first_mb = first_mb;
        self.slice_bounds.push((first_mb, self.cur_idc2));
        self.any_idc2 |= self.cur_idc2;
        self.edc_active = edc_on();
        let mut addr = first_mb;
        // Same malformed-header divide-by-zero as the sibling slice loop above.
        let mbw_nz = self.mb_w.max(1);
        let (mut mbx, mut mby) = (addr % mbw_nz, addr / mbw_nz);
        let mbw_c = self.mb_w;
        while addr < total {
            if mbx == mbw_c {
                mbx = 0;
                mby += 1;
            }
            self.row_hook_at(addr, mby);
            if is_p || self.is_b {
                let skip_run = {
                    let _g = rusty_h264_common::prof::scope(rusty_h264_common::prof::Stage::Syntax);
                    r.read_ue()?
                } as usize;
                // A run past the picture end is a corrupt stream (ffmpeg errors
                // here too); a run TO the end is legal. Silently clamping used
                // to fill the remainder with skip MBs.
                if skip_run > total - addr {
                    return Err(MbError::Truncated);
                }
                // The run length is KNOWN here (CAVLC codes it as one syntax
                // element). P runs: after the first skip commits (0,0), every
                // later run MB is FORCED (0,0) by the zero-MV rule — process
                // the remainder SEGMENT-WISE: one span extension + one mb_qp
                // fill per row segment instead of a per-MB call + span match +
                // store. Non-(0,0) runs and B runs keep the per-MB loop. The
                // per-MB `addr >= total` check is gone: the run was validated
                // against `total - addr` above.
                let mut remaining = skip_run;
                while remaining > 0 {
                    debug_assert!(addr < total);
                    if mbx == mbw_c {
                        mbx = 0;
                        mby += 1;
                    }
                    if self.is_b {
                        if !self.b_skip_hot(mbx, mby) {
                            self.decode_b_skip(mbx, mby)?;
                        }
                        if let Some(p) = self.mb_qp.get_mut(addr) {
                            *p = self.cur_qp;
                        } // skip inherits QPy
                        addr += 1;
                        mbx += 1;
                        remaining -= 1;
                        continue;
                    }
                    self.decode_p_skip(mbx, mby)?;
                    if let Some(p) = self.mb_qp.get_mut(addr) {
                        *p = self.cur_qp;
                    }
                    addr += 1;
                    mbx += 1;
                    remaining -= 1;
                    // Segment-wise remainder: forced (0,0) continuation holds
                    // exactly while skip_zero_next tracks addr (decode_p_skip
                    // set it iff this skip committed (0,0)).
                    // Worker mode (edc_tx) must route per-MB jobs through the
                    // channel — the parse thread no longer owns the planes.
                    while remaining > 0
                        && self.skip_zero_next == addr
                        && !no_runmv()
                        && self.edc_tx.is_none()
                    {
                        if mbx == mbw_c {
                            mbx = 0;
                            mby += 1;
                        }
                        // Row segment: run to row end or run end.
                        let seg = remaining.min(mbw_c - mbx);
                        let recon =
                            self.edc_tx.is_none() && (self.weights.is_none() || self.weights_id0);
                        for k in 0..seg {
                            self.pz_push(mbx + k, mby, recon);
                        }
                        edcstat::bump(&edcstat::SKIPMV_FORCED, seg as u64);
                        self.route_skip_mbs += seg as u32;
                        self.mb_qp[addr..addr + seg].fill(self.cur_qp);
                        if !recon {
                            for k in 0..seg {
                                self.edc_jobs.push(EdcJob::Skip {
                                    mbx: mbx + k,
                                    mby,
                                    mv: (0, 0),
                                });
                            }
                        }
                        addr += seg;
                        mbx += seg;
                        remaining -= seg;
                        self.skip_zero_next = addr;
                    }
                }
                if addr >= total {
                    break;
                }
                // A trailing skip run with no following macroblock ends the slice.
                if skip_run > 0 && !r.more_rbsp_data() {
                    break;
                }
            }
            // The skip run above may have crossed a row boundary within this
            // iteration — wrap before the non-skip MB decodes.
            if mbx == mbw_c {
                mbx = 0;
                mby += 1;
            }
            if self.is_b {
                // ORDER: B reconstructs inline (not seam-ready).
                self.edc_intra_sync();
                self.decode_b_mb(r, mbx, mby)?;
            } else {
                // Non-skip CAVLC MB: inter MV prediction + intra gathers
                // read the grids — flush deferred spans.
                self.span_flush();
                self.decode_mb(r, mbx, mby, is_p)?;
            }
            if let Some(p) = self.mb_qp.get_mut(addr) {
                *p = self.cur_qp;
            }
            addr += 1;
            mbx += 1;
            // CAVLC slice end: no more data after this macroblock.
            if !r.more_rbsp_data() {
                break;
            }
        }
        self.edc_flush(); // slice end: no job crosses a slice boundary
        Ok(addr)
    }

    fn decode_mb(
        &mut self,
        r: &mut BitReader,
        mb_x: usize,
        mb_y: usize,
        is_p: bool,
    ) -> Result<(), MbError> {
        self.wait_refs_for_mb(mb_y);
        let mut mb_type = {
            let _g = rusty_h264_common::prof::scope(rusty_h264_common::prof::Stage::Syntax);
            r.read_ue()?
        };
        if is_p {
            // In P-slices, mb_type 0/1/2 are inter (16×16, 16×8, 8×16),
            // 3 = P_8x8, 4 = P_8x8ref0 (ref_idx forced 0), 5+ intra.
            if mb_type <= 2 {
                return self.decode_inter(r, mb_x, mb_y, mb_type as u8);
            }
            if mb_type == 3 || mb_type == 4 {
                return self.decode_p8x8(r, mb_x, mb_y, mb_type == 4);
            }
            mb_type -= 5;
        }
        // ORDER: intra reconstruction reads neighbour PIXELS, so the worker
        // must have applied every deferred job before this point.
        self.edc_intra_sync();
        self.decode_intra_mb(r, mb_x, mb_y, mb_type)
    }

    /// Decodes an intra macroblock given its intra `mb_type` (0 = I_4x4,
    /// 1..=24 = I_16x16, 25 = I_PCM) — shared by I-, P- and B-slice paths.
    fn decode_intra_mb(
        &mut self,
        r: &mut BitReader,
        mb_x: usize,
        mb_y: usize,
        mb_type: u32,
    ) -> Result<(), MbError> {
        // H-48: this scope was DECLARED and never wired, which is precisely why the
        // stage table left 19.8% unaccounted — 66,120 of 475,200 macroblocks on the
        // reference stream are I-type and had no scope at all.
        let _gi = rusty_h264_common::prof::scope(rusty_h264_common::prof::Stage::DecMbI);
        if let Some(p) = self.mb_kind.get_mut(mb_y * self.mb_w + mb_x) {
            *p = rusty_h264_common::deblock::MB_KIND_INTRA;
        }
        if mb_type == 0 {
            // I_NxN: transform_size_8x8_flag (when enabled) selects I_8x8 vs I_4x4.
            if self.transform_8x8_mode && r.read_bit()? {
                self.decode_i8x8(r, mb_x, mb_y)?;
            } else {
                self.decode_i4x4(r, mb_x, mb_y)?;
            }
        } else if (1..=24).contains(&mb_type) {
            self.decode_i16(r, mb_x, mb_y, mb_type - 1)?;
        } else if mb_type == 25 {
            // ORDER: I_PCM writes pixels directly.
            self.edc_intra_sync();
            self.decode_ipcm(r, mb_x, mb_y)?;
        } else {
            return Err(MbError::Unsupported(
                "only I_4x4 / I_16x16 / I_PCM macroblocks",
            ));
        }
        // Mark all luma blocks coded for the next macroblock's top-right.
        // Four contiguous cells per macroblock row - `fill`, not sixteen
        // separately bounds-checked indexed stores.
        let w4 = self.mb_w * 4;
        for lby in 0..4usize {
            let a = (mb_y * 4 + lby) * w4 + mb_x * 4;
            self.coded_y[a..a + 4].fill(true);
        }
        Ok(())
    }

    /// Reconstructs an inter macroblock (`mode` 0 = P_L0_16x16, 1 = P_16x8,
    /// 2 = P_8x16): parse the per-partition motion vectors and residual,
    /// motion-compensate each partition, and add the residual.
    fn decode_inter(
        &mut self,
        r: &mut BitReader,
        mb_x: usize,
        mb_y: usize,
        mode: u8,
    ) -> Result<(), MbError> {
        if self.refs.is_empty() {
            return Err(MbError::Unsupported("inter without reference"));
        }
        // DEBLOCK CLASS: mode 0 is P_L0_16x16 — ONE partition, so all 16 blocks
        // share a reference and motion vector and no internal edge can reach
        // strength 1. Internal strengths then follow from coefficients alone, i.e.
        // 16 nnz bytes instead of a 24-block gather across 5-7 grids. Modes 1/2
        // (P_16x8 / P_8x16) have two partitions with independent motion and stay
        // UNSET (blind path).
        if mode == 0 {
            if let Some(k) = self.mb_kind.get_mut(mb_y * self.mb_w + mb_x) {
                *k = rusty_h264_common::deblock::MB_KIND_INTER_UNIFORM;
            }
        }
        // QP (qp/qpc) is bound after mb_qp_delta is read below.
        let w4 = self.mb_w * 4;
        let (ch, cch) = (self.mb_h * 16, self.mb_h * 8);
        let num_refs = self.refs.len();
        let layout = inter_partitions(mode);

        // mb_pred order (spec 7.3.5.1): all ref_idx_l0 first (only when more than
        // one reference is active), then all mvd_l0.
        let nparts = layout.len();
        let mut ref_idxs = [0i32; 4];
        if self.num_ref_active > 1 {
            for ri in ref_idxs[..nparts].iter_mut() {
                *ri = read_ref_idx(r, self.num_ref_active)?;
                if *ri as usize >= num_refs {
                    return Err(MbError::Truncated); // references a non-existent picture
                }
            }
        }

        // Phase 1: per partition, ref-aware MV prediction + mvd, committing the
        // motion grid so a later partition predicts from an earlier one.
        let mut part_mv = [(0i32, (0i32, 0i32)); 4];
        {
            let _g = rusty_h264_common::prof::scope(rusty_h264_common::prof::Stage::MvGrid);
            for (part, &(rx, ry, rw, rh)) in layout.iter().enumerate() {
                let refi = ref_idxs[part];
                let (pbx, pby) = ((mb_x * 4 + rx / 4) as isize, (mb_y * 4 + ry / 4) as isize);
                let [a, b, c] = self.mv_neighbors_block(pbx, pby, (rw / 4) as isize);
                let pmv = predict_partition_mv(mode, part, a, b, c, refi);
                let mvd_x = read_mvd(r)?;
                let mvd_y = read_mvd(r)?;
                let mv = (pmv.0 + mvd_x, pmv.1 + mvd_y);
                part_mv[part] = (refi, mv);
                for by in ry / 4..ry / 4 + rh / 4 {
                    for bx in rx / 4..rx / 4 + rw / 4 {
                        let idx = (mb_y * 4 + by) * w4 + (mb_x * 4 + bx);
                        if let (Some(m), Some(it), Some(rf), Some(cd)) = (
                            self.mv_y.get_mut(idx),
                            self.inter_y.get_mut(idx),
                            self.ref_idx_y.get_mut(idx),
                            self.coded_y.get_mut(idx),
                        ) {
                            (*m, *it, *rf, *cd) = (mv, true, refi, true);
                        }
                    }
                }
            }
        }

        // Phase 2: motion-compensate each partition from its reference.
        let mut pred_y = [0u8; 256];
        let mut c_pred = [[0u8; 64]; 2];
        // D8-CAVLC: the double-stage ablation, extended to the CAVLC loop. The
        // CABAC measurement could not run here at all (`edc_active` is false on
        // this path, so nothing replays through `edc_flush` and `doubled` read
        // 0) — yet CAVLC is exactly the population P3 item 5 targets, and its
        // cheaper parse should make the PIXEL share larger. Doubling the whole
        // partition loop is idempotent: pass 2 overwrites `pred_y` with fresh MC
        // BEFORE `weight_partition` runs, so weighting cannot apply twice.
        // This doubles MC only (not the residual add inside `inter_finish`), so
        // it is a LOWER BOUND on the CAVLC pixel share.
        // D14 (CAVLC E-seam): when the seam is live the WORKER motion-compensates
        // from the committed MV grids, so skip MC here rather than computing a
        // prediction that would be discarded.
        let defer = self.edc_tx.is_some() || self.edc_active;
        let mc_passes = if defer {
            0
        } else if double_recon() {
            2
        } else {
            1
        };
        for _pass in 0..mc_passes {
            if _pass > 0 {
                edcstat::bump(&edcstat::DOUBLED, 1);
            }
            for (part, &(rx, ry, rw, rh)) in layout.iter().enumerate() {
                let (refi, mv) = part_mv[part & 3];
                let Some(reference) = self.refs.get(refi as usize) else {
                    continue;
                };
                let mut tmp = [0u8; 256];
                mc_luma_padded(
                    &*reference.luma_guard(reference.ch),
                    reference.lstride(),
                    crate::LPAD,
                    self.cw,
                    ch,
                    mb_x * 16 + rx,
                    mb_y * 16 + ry,
                    rw,
                    rh,
                    mv.0,
                    mv.1,
                    &mut tmp,
                );
                {
                    let _g =
                        rusty_h264_common::prof::scope(rusty_h264_common::prof::Stage::PredBuf);
                    restride(&mut pred_y, 16, rx, ry, &tmp, rw, rh);
                }
                let (crx, cry, crw, crh) = (rx / 2, ry / 2, rw / 2, rh / 2);
                for cc in 0..2 {
                    let rc = if cc == 0 {
                        &*reference.chroma_guard(0, reference.ch)
                    } else {
                        &*reference.chroma_guard(1, reference.ch)
                    };
                    let mut tc = [0u8; 64];
                    mc_chroma_padded(
                        rc,
                        reference.cstride(),
                        crate::CPAD,
                        self.ccw,
                        cch,
                        mb_x * 8 + crx,
                        mb_y * 8 + cry,
                        crw,
                        crh,
                        mv.0,
                        mv.1,
                        &mut tc,
                    );
                    {
                        let _g =
                            rusty_h264_common::prof::scope(rusty_h264_common::prof::Stage::PredBuf);
                        restride(&mut c_pred[cc], 8, crx, cry, &tc, crw, crh);
                    }
                }
                self.weight_partition(&mut pred_y, &mut c_pred, 0, refi as usize, rx, ry, rw, rh);
            }
        }

        // 16×16/16×8/8×16 partitions are all ≥ 8×8, so the 8×8 transform is allowed.
        self.inter_finish(r, mb_x, mb_y, &pred_y, &c_pred, true, defer)
    }

    /// Shared inter tail: parse `coded_block_pattern` + `mb_qp_delta`, decode the
    /// luma/chroma residual, and add it to the already-built motion-compensated
    /// prediction. Used by both the 16×16/16×8/8×16 path and `P_8x8`.
    fn inter_finish(
        &mut self,
        r: &mut BitReader,
        mb_x: usize,
        mb_y: usize,
        pred_y: &[u8; 256],
        c_pred: &[[u8; 64]; 2],
        allow_8x8: bool,
        // D14: emit a worker job instead of reconstructing. Only the CAVLC
        // 16x16/16x8/8x16 path sets this; B and P_8x8 stay inline.
        defer: bool,
    ) -> Result<(), MbError> {
        let w4 = self.mb_w * 4;
        let cbp = {
            let _g = rusty_h264_common::prof::scope(rusty_h264_common::prof::Stage::Syntax);
            read_cbp_inter(r)?
        };
        let cbp_luma = cbp & 15;
        let cbp_chroma = cbp >> 4;
        // transform_size_8x8_flag follows cbp (before mb_qp_delta) when luma has
        // coefficients, the 8×8 transform is enabled, and every partition ≥ 8×8.
        let t8x8 = cbp_luma > 0 && self.transform_8x8_mode && allow_8x8 && r.read_bit()?;
        if t8x8 {
            if let Some(f) = self.mb_t8x8.get_mut(mb_y * self.mb_w + mb_x) {
                *f = true;
            }
            self.any_t8 = true;
        }
        if cbp != 0 {
            self.step_qp(r.read_se()?)?;
        }
        let (qp, _qpc) = (self.cur_qp, self.chroma_qp_for(self.cur_qp));

        // ---- luma residual ----
        self.nnz_cache_load(mb_x, mb_y);
        let mut nnzs = [0u8; 24];
        // PARSE STRAIGHT INTO THE DESTINATION. The deferred arm used to parse into
        // 1.5 KB of zeroed locals and then copy them into the pooled job (another
        // 1.5 KB, +1 KB each for t8x8); the inline arm zeroed the same locals.
        // Both now decode into a pre-owned plane set -- the pooled `PInterJob`
        // when deferring, the decoder's scratch boxes otherwise -- and zero only
        // the blocks the cbp codes. Uncoded slots stay dirty on purpose: the
        // consumer (`add_inter_residual` / the worker) skips every block whose
        // `nnzs` count is 0 and every chroma AC plane unless cbp_chroma == 2,
        // the contract the CABAC P arm has shipped on since round 4.
        let nores = cbp == 0 && nores_on();
        let mut job = (defer && !nores).then(|| self.take_pinter_job());
        let mut s_luma = if job.is_none() {
            self.scratch_luma
                .take()
                .or_else(|| Some(Box::new([[0i32; 16]; 16])))
        } else {
            None
        };
        let mut s_luma8 = if job.is_none() {
            self.scratch_luma8
                .take()
                .or_else(|| Some(Box::new([[0i32; 64]; 4])))
        } else {
            None
        };
        let mut s_cac = if job.is_none() {
            self.scratch_cac
                .take()
                .or_else(|| Some(Box::new([[[0i32; 16]; 4]; 2])))
        } else {
            None
        };
        let (luma_scan, luma8, cac): (
            &mut [[i32; 16]; 16],
            &mut [[i32; 64]; 4],
            &mut [[[i32; 16]; 4]; 2],
        ) = match job.as_deref_mut() {
            Some(j) => (&mut j.luma_scan, &mut j.luma8, &mut j.cac),
            None => (
                s_luma.as_deref_mut().expect("scratch"),
                s_luma8.as_deref_mut().expect("scratch"),
                s_cac.as_deref_mut().expect("scratch"),
            ),
        };
        // BUILD THE MACROBLOCK'S nnz RASTER ON THE STACK, COPY IT ROW-WISE ONCE.
        // Both arms below scattered sixteen individually bounds-checked stores
        // into the frame grid while the entropy parse ran. Nothing reads
        // `nnz_y` for THIS macroblock before the function returns - `nc_pred`
        // predicts from the separate `nnz_cache` - so the writes can be
        // deferred. The zero arm then costs NOTHING: the raster already holds
        // zeros.
        let mut nnz_raster = [0u8; 16];
        if t8x8 {
            for b8 in 0..4 {
                let (b8x, b8y) = (b8 % 2, b8 / 2);
                let (bx, by) = (mb_x * 4 + b8x * 2, mb_y * 4 + b8y * 2);
                let _ = (bx, by);
                if cbp_luma & (1 << b8) != 0 {
                    // Zero this 8x8 slot only (256 B) -- was a 1 KB `[[0;64];4]` insert + a 256 B copy.
                    luma8[b8 & 3] = [0i32; 64];
                    for sub in 0..4 {
                        let (sx, sy) = (sub % 2, sub / 2);
                        let (cx, cy) = (b8x * 2 + sx, b8y * 2 + sy);
                        let nc = self.nc_pred(cx, cy);
                        let mut blk = [0i32; 16];
                        let total = decode_residual_block_into::<16, 16>(r, nc, &mut blk)?;
                        self.nnz_cache_set(cx, cy, total);
                        nnz_raster[cy * 4 + cx] = total;
                        // The PER-SUB-BLOCK count the next macroblock's nC prediction
                        // depends on -- summing these into one slot and letting the
                        // recon helper broadcast it back is what broke CAVLC 8x8.
                        // WIN: b8 < 4 and sub < 4, so the index is 0..=15 and the
                        // mask is a no-op that PROVES it -- the same idiom the
                        // neighbouring luma8[b8 & 3] / luma_scan[blk & 15] already use.
                        // Folds a panic_bounds_check out of inter_finish.
                        nnzs[(b8 * 4 + sub) & 15] = total;
                        // RAW 8x8 scan: coeff k of sub-block s at 4k + s (spec 7.3.5.3.2);
                        // `add_inter_residual` un-scans + dequantises, as for CABAC.
                        for k in 0..16 {
                            luma8[b8 & 3][(4 * k + sub) & 63] = blk[k];
                        }
                    }
                } else {
                    for sub in 0..4 {
                        let (sx, sy) = (sub % 2, sub / 2);
                        self.nnz_cache_set(b8x * 2 + sx, b8y * 2 + sy, 0);
                        // `nnz_raster` is already zero here - no store needed.
                    }
                }
            }
        } else {
            for (blk, &(lbx, lby)) in LUMA_4X4_SCAN_XY.iter().enumerate() {
                let (bx, by) = (mb_x * 4 + lbx, mb_y * 4 + lby);
                let total = if cbp_luma & (1 << (blk / 4)) != 0 {
                    let nc = self.nc_pred(lbx, lby);
                    // Decoded STRAIGHT into the destination plane (RAW scan order, like
                    // CABAC); zero only this coded block first (the slot is pooled/dirty).
                    luma_scan[blk & 15] = [0i32; 16];
                    decode_residual_block_into::<16, 16>(r, nc, &mut luma_scan[blk & 15])?
                } else {
                    0
                };
                self.nnz_cache_set(lbx, lby, total);
                let _ = (bx, by);
                nnz_raster[(lby & 3) * 4 + (lbx & 3)] = total;
                // WIN: luma 4x4 index, 0..=15 (luma_scan[blk & 15] above relies on the
                // same range); the mask folds the second bounds check.
                nnzs[blk & 15] = total;
            }
        }
        // ONE contiguous copy per macroblock row.
        for by in 0..4usize {
            let a = (mb_y * 4 + by) * w4 + mb_x * 4;
            self.nnz_y[a..a + 4].copy_from_slice(&nnz_raster[by * 4..by * 4 + 4]);
        }

        // ---- chroma residual ----
        let mut c_recon_dc = [[0i32; 4]; 2];
        if cbp_chroma != 0 {
            for slot in c_recon_dc.iter_mut() {
                // RAW, straight into the 4-word slot (dequantised in the helper).
                decode_residual_block_into::<4, 4>(r, -1, slot)?;
            }
        }
        if cbp_chroma == 2 {
            self.chroma_cache_load(mb_x, mb_y);
            let w2 = self.mb_w * 2;
            let mut cnnz = [[0u8; 4]; 2];
            for c in 0..2 {
                for &(bx, by) in &CHROMA_4X4_SCAN_XY {
                    let nc = self.chroma_nc_pred(c, bx, by);
                    let slot = &mut cac[c & 1][(by * 2 + bx) & 3];
                    *slot = [0i32; 16];
                    let total = decode_residual_block_into::<15, 16>(r, nc, slot)?; // RAW scan order
                    self.chroma_nnz_cache_set(c, bx, by, total);
                    // WIN: by < 2 and bx < 2, so 0..=3 -- the mask proves it against
                    // the [[u8; 4]; 2], exactly as the cac[c & 1][(by * 2 + bx) & 3]
                    // slot two lines above already does. Folds the last
                    // panic_bounds_check out of inter_finish.
                    cnnz[c & 1][(by * 2 + bx) & 3] = total;
                    // Masks are the proof: max index 16 + 4 + 2 + 1 = 23 < 24 (was a `.min(23)`).
                    nnzs[16 + (c & 1) * 4 + (by & 1) * 2 + (bx & 1)] = total;
                }
                for by in 0..2usize {
                    let a = (mb_y * 2 + by) * w2 + mb_x * 2;
                    self.nnz_c[c][a..a + 2].copy_from_slice(&cnnz[c][by * 2..by * 2 + 2]);
                }
            }
        }

        // ---- reconstruction ----
        //
        // D13: this used to be a 109-line hand-rolled copy of the residual add.
        // It now calls the SAME `add_inter_residual` the CABAC path uses, which
        // is what makes the CAVLC E-seam possible at all: the two paths had
        // different residual representations (CAVLC pre-applied un_scan and
        // inv_quant at PARSE time; CABAC carries raw scan-order coefficients and
        // dequantises inside the helper), so no job could be shared. Carrying the
        // raw forms — which CAVLC already had in hand — converges them, deletes
        // a duplicate implementation, and lets a deferred job reuse the existing
        // worker recon instead of needing a second copy that could drift.
        if defer {
            // The residual representation now matches CABAC exactly (the
            // convergence commit), so the SAME `PInterJob` and the SAME worker
            // `recon_p_inter` serve both entropy coders — no second recon
            // implementation exists that could drift.
            let (mut gmv, mut gref) = ([(0i32, 0i32); 16], [0u8; 16]);
            let w4r = self.mb_w * 4;
            // ROW SLICES over BOTH grids. This was the single densest panic site
            // left in the decoder crate: sixteen iterations reading two PARALLEL
            // frame grids at the same index, and `mv_y`'s bound proved nothing
            // about `ref_idx_y`, so all thirty-two loads carried their own check.
            // Each macroblock row is four contiguous cells in both.
            for by in 0..4usize {
                let base = (mb_y * 4 + by) * w4r + mb_x * 4;
                let mvr = &self.mv_y[base..][..4];
                let rfr = &self.ref_idx_y[base..][..4];
                gmv[by * 4..][..4].copy_from_slice(mvr);
                for bx in 0..4usize {
                    gref[by * 4 + bx] = rfr[bx].clamp(0, 15) as u8;
                }
            }
            // D9 applies here too: `cbp == 0` means all 2,592 coefficient bytes
            // of the 2,784-byte job are ZERO, so ship the 176-byte motion-only
            // form. Discovered on the CABAC path; it transfers for free because
            // the CAVLC arm now emits the SAME job type.
            let ej = if nores {
                edcstat::bump(&edcstat::J_NORES_SENT, 1);
                let b = self.take_nores_job(PInterNoResJob {
                    mbx: mb_x,
                    mby: mb_y,
                    t8: t8x8,
                    gmv,
                    gref,
                });
                EdcJob::InterNoRes(b)
            } else {
                // Pooled box (see `take_pinter_job`); the CAVLC arm still parses into
                // locals, so this is a copy, not an allocation.
                let mut job = job.take().expect("pooled job taken above");
                job.mbx = mb_x;
                job.mby = mb_y;
                job.qp = qp;
                job.cbp_chroma = cbp_chroma;
                job.t8 = t8x8;
                job.gmv = gmv;
                job.gref = gref;
                // luma_scan / luma8 / cac were parsed in place.
                job.cdc = c_recon_dc;
                job.nnzs = nnzs;
                EdcJob::Inter(job)
            };
            if self.edc_tx.is_some() {
                self.edc_giveback();
                self.edc_send_job(ej);
            } else {
                self.edc_jobs.push(ej);
            }
        } else {
            self.add_inter_residual(
                mb_x,
                mb_y,
                pred_y,
                c_pred,
                Some(&*luma_scan),
                t8x8.then_some(&*luma8),
                &c_recon_dc,
                Some(&*cac),
                cbp_chroma,
                &nnzs,
            );
            // Give the scratch planes back (taken only on this arm).
            self.scratch_luma = s_luma;
            self.scratch_luma8 = s_luma8;
            self.scratch_cac = s_cac;
        }

        // MV grid + coded flags were set per partition; mark modes as DC.
        // Four contiguous cells per row - `fill`, not sixteen indexed stores.
        for lby in 0..4usize {
            let a = (mb_y * 4 + lby) * w4 + mb_x * 4;
            self.modes_y[a..a + 4].fill(2);
        }
        Ok(())
    }

    // ---------------------------------------------------------------------
    // B-slice macroblock decoding
    // ---------------------------------------------------------------------

    /// Per-list (`list` 0 or 1) MV-prediction neighbors for the block region at
    /// `(pbx, pby)` of width `pwb` blocks — the L0/L1 analogue of
    /// `mv_neighbors_block`.
    fn mv_neighbors_list(
        &self,
        pbx: isize,
        pby: isize,
        pwb: isize,
        list: usize,
    ) -> [MvNeighbor; 3] {
        self.mv_neighbors_block_grid(pbx, pby, pwb, list)
    }

    /// Spatial-direct A/B/C at the MB origin — same for every 8×8 in the MB
    /// (spec §8.4.1.2.2). B_8x8 callers hoist this once; 16×16 skip/direct walk
    /// once inside `decode_b_direct`.
    #[inline]
    fn b_direct_nbrs(&self, mb_x: usize, mb_y: usize) -> ([MvNeighbor; 3], [MvNeighbor; 3]) {
        self.mv_neighbors_both((mb_x * 4) as isize, (mb_y * 4) as isize, 4)
    }

    /// FUSED dual-list gather at arbitrary partition geometry: A/B/C positions
    /// and their availability (bounds + coded + slice) are list-independent —
    /// compute once, load both lists' grids from the same resolved index.
    fn mv_neighbors_both(
        &self,
        pbx: isize,
        pby: isize,
        pwb: isize,
    ) -> ([MvNeighbor; 3], [MvNeighbor; 3]) {
        let (w4, h4) = ((self.mb_w * 4) as isize, (self.mb_h * 4) as isize);
        let get2 = |bx: isize, by: isize| -> (MvNeighbor, MvNeighbor) {
            if bx < 0
                || by < 0
                || bx >= w4
                || by >= h4
                || !self
                    .coded_y
                    .get((by * w4 + bx) as usize)
                    .copied()
                    .unwrap_or(false)
                || !self.nbr_in_slice(bx as usize / 4, by as usize / 4)
            {
                (MvNeighbor::NONE, MvNeighbor::NONE)
            } else {
                // FOUR PARALLEL GRIDS at one index. The `coded_y` guard above
                // bounds none of them — they are separate Vecs — so each carried
                // its own panic path. `MvNeighbor::NONE` is the established
                // "no such neighbour" value, so the fallible form degrades into
                // the branch directly above it.
                let idx = (by * w4 + bx) as usize;
                match (
                    self.mv_y.get(idx),
                    self.ref_idx_y.get(idx),
                    self.mv1.get(idx),
                    self.ref_idx1.get(idx),
                ) {
                    (Some(&m0), Some(&r0), Some(&m1), Some(&r1)) => (
                        MvNeighbor {
                            available: true,
                            mv: m0,
                            ref_idx: r0,
                        },
                        MvNeighbor {
                            available: true,
                            mv: m1,
                            ref_idx: r1,
                        },
                    ),
                    _ => (MvNeighbor::NONE, MvNeighbor::NONE),
                }
            }
        };
        let (a0, a1) = get2(pbx - 1, pby);
        let (b0, b1) = get2(pbx, pby - 1);
        let (mut c0, mut c1) = get2(pbx + pwb, pby - 1);
        if !c0.available {
            // The C fallback is position-driven (topright unavailable ⇒
            // topleft), so both lists fall back together — same decision the
            // two per-list gathers made independently.
            let t = get2(pbx - 1, pby - 1);
            c0 = t.0;
            c1 = t.1;
        }
        ([a0, b0, c0], [a1, b1, c1])
    }

    fn mv_neighbors_block_grid(
        &self,
        pbx: isize,
        pby: isize,
        pwb: isize,
        list: usize,
    ) -> [MvNeighbor; 3] {
        let (w4, h4) = ((self.mb_w * 4) as isize, (self.mb_h * 4) as isize);
        let (mvg, refg) = if list == 0 {
            (&self.mv_y, &self.ref_idx_y)
        } else {
            (&self.mv1, &self.ref_idx1)
        };
        let get = |bx: isize, by: isize| -> MvNeighbor {
            if bx < 0
                || by < 0
                || bx >= w4
                || by >= h4
                || !self
                    .coded_y
                    .get((by * w4 + bx) as usize)
                    .copied()
                    .unwrap_or(false)
                || !self.nbr_in_slice(bx as usize / 4, by as usize / 4)
            {
                MvNeighbor::NONE
            } else {
                let idx = (by * w4 + bx) as usize;
                match (mvg.get(idx), refg.get(idx)) {
                    (Some(&m), Some(&r)) => MvNeighbor {
                        available: true,
                        mv: m,
                        ref_idx: r,
                    },
                    _ => MvNeighbor::NONE,
                }
            }
        };
        let a = get(pbx - 1, pby);
        let b = get(pbx, pby - 1);
        let mut c = get(pbx + pwb, pby - 1);
        if !c.available {
            c = get(pbx - 1, pby - 1);
        }
        [a, b, c]
    }

    /// `colZeroFlag` for the 4×4 block at absolute block coords `(bx, by)`: true
    /// when `RefPicList1[0]` is a short-term picture whose co-located block uses
    /// reference 0 with a near-zero motion vector (spec §8.4.1.2.2).
    /// Co-located 4x4 block coords for the current block's `(bx4, by4)` within the
    /// macroblock, per spec 8.4.1.2.1. Under `direct_8x8_inference_flag` every 4x4
    /// in an 8x8 takes that 8x8's OUTER CORNER (`luma4x4BlkIdx = 5 * mbPartIdx`,
    /// i.e. (0,0) (3,0) (0,3) (3,3)); otherwise motion is genuinely per-4x4.
    ///
    /// 8.4.1.2.1 is SHARED by both direct modes, so spatial and temporal must map
    /// identically. They did not: temporal mapped the corner and spatial read the
    /// block's own coords, which is invisible while every 4x4 in the co-located 8x8
    /// carries the same motion -- true of every stream until sub-8x8 P partitions
    /// (x264 `--partitions p4x4`) make them differ. Hence one function.
    #[inline]
    fn col_block(&self, bx4: usize, by4: usize) -> (usize, usize) {
        if self.direct_8x8_inference {
            ((bx4 / 2) * 3, (by4 / 2) * 3)
        } else {
            (bx4, by4)
        }
    }

    fn col_zero(&self, bx: usize, by: usize) -> bool {
        // Fast path (1T frozen colocated, the default): the invariant checks
        // were hoisted to set_b_context; two grid loads + the threshold test.
        if self.col_ok {
            let Some(col) = self.refs1.first() else {
                return false;
            };
            let idx = by * self.col_w4 + bx;
            // `.get` on EVERY parallel array, not a length test on one of them.
            // The `idx >= ref_idx.len()` guard proved nothing about `mv`,
            // `ref_idx1` or `mv1` — separate Vecs with independent lengths — so
            // each of those reads carried its own panic path. They are built
            // together and always agree; the fallible form states that instead of
            // asserting it, and keeps the "no panic on malformed input" contract.
            let (cref, cmv) = match col.ref_idx.get(idx) {
                Some(&r0) if r0 >= 0 => match col.mv.get(idx) {
                    Some(&m) => (r0, m),
                    None => return false,
                },
                Some(_) => match (col.ref_idx1.get(idx), col.mv1.get(idx)) {
                    (Some(&r1), Some(&m)) if r1 >= 0 => (r1, m),
                    _ => return false,
                },
                None => return false,
            };
            return cref == 0 && cmv.0.abs() <= 1 && cmv.1.abs() <= 1;
        }
        let Some(col) = self.refs1.first() else {
            return false;
        };
        if let Some(live) = col.live.as_ref() {
            col.wait_motion_ready();
            let meta = live.meta.read().unwrap();
            if meta.long_term || meta.w4 == 0 {
                return false;
            }
            let idx = by * meta.w4 + bx;
            // Same `.get`-per-array shape as the frozen-colocated path above.
            let (cref, cmv) = match meta.ref_idx.get(idx) {
                Some(&r0) if r0 >= 0 => match meta.mv.get(idx) {
                    Some(&m) => (r0, m),
                    None => return false,
                },
                Some(_) => match (meta.ref_idx1.get(idx), meta.mv1.get(idx)) {
                    (Some(&r1), Some(&m)) if r1 >= 0 => (r1, m),
                    _ => return false,
                },
                None => return false,
            };
            return cref == 0 && cmv.0.abs() <= 1 && cmv.1.abs() <= 1;
        }
        if col.long_term || col.w4 == 0 {
            return false;
        }
        let idx = by * col.w4 + bx;
        if idx >= col.ref_idx.len() {
            return false;
        }
        let (cref, cmv) = match col.ref_idx.get(idx) {
            Some(&r0) if r0 >= 0 => match col.mv.get(idx) {
                Some(&m) => (r0, m),
                None => return false,
            },
            Some(_) => match (col.ref_idx1.get(idx), col.mv1.get(idx)) {
                (Some(&r1), Some(&m)) if r1 >= 0 => (r1, m),
                _ => return false,
            },
            None => return false,
        };
        cref == 0 && cmv.0.abs() <= 1 && cmv.1.abs() <= 1
    }

    /// Implicit bi-prediction weights `(w0, w1)` from POC distances (spec
    /// §8.4.2.3.2), or `None` for the plain average (idc≠2, uni-pred, or the
    /// equidistant / out-of-range fall-back to 32:32 which equals the average).
    fn implicit_weights(&self, refi0: i32, refi1: i32) -> Option<(i32, i32)> {
        if self.weighted_bipred_idc != 2 || refi0 < 0 || refi1 < 0 {
            return None;
        }
        let (Some(r0), Some(r1)) = (
            self.refs.get(refi0 as usize),
            self.refs1.get(refi1 as usize),
        ) else {
            return None;
        };
        let td = (r1.pic_poc() - r0.pic_poc()).clamp(-128, 127);
        let tb = (self.cur_poc - r0.pic_poc()).clamp(-128, 127);
        if td == 0 || r0.long_term || r1.long_term {
            return None; // 32:32 → identical to the average
        }
        let tx = tx_for_td(td);
        let dsf = ((tb * tx + 32) >> 6).clamp(-1024, 1023);
        let w1 = dsf >> 2;
        if !(-64..=128).contains(&w1) {
            return None; // out of range → 32:32 average
        }
        Some((64 - w1, w1))
    }

    /// Motion-compensates a region with the given per-list refs/MVs. Bi-prediction
    /// is the simple `(a+b+1)>>1` average, or POC-weighted when implicit weighting
    /// (idc 2) is active. Writes into `pred_y`/`c_pred`.
    #[allow(clippy::too_many_arguments)]
    fn b_mc(
        &self,
        mb_x: usize,
        mb_y: usize,
        px: usize,
        py: usize,
        rw: usize,
        rh: usize,
        refi0: i32,
        mv0: (i32, i32),
        refi1: i32,
        mv1: (i32, i32),
        pred_y: &mut [u8; 256],
        c_pred: &mut [[u8; 64]; 2],
    ) {
        let _gb = rusty_h264_common::prof::scope(rusty_h264_common::prof::Stage::DecBMc);
        // Malformed-stream armor, mirroring the P path: now that B slices actually
        // PARSE ref_idx (they used to be hardcoded to 0), a mutated stream can hand
        // us an index past the end of either list. Clamp rather than panic — the
        // crate is `forbid(unsafe_code)` and fuzz-gated to never panic, and a
        // wrong picture on garbage input carries no conformance duty.
        let refi0 = if refi0 >= 0 {
            (refi0 as usize).min(self.refs.len().saturating_sub(1)) as i32
        } else {
            -1
        };
        let refi1 = if refi1 >= 0 {
            (refi1 as usize).min(self.refs1.len().saturating_sub(1)) as i32
        } else {
            -1
        };
        if (refi0 >= 0 && self.refs.is_empty()) || (refi1 >= 0 && self.refs1.is_empty()) {
            return;
        }
        let (ch, cch) = (self.mb_h * 16, self.mb_h * 8);
        let weights = {
            let _gw = rusty_h264_common::prof::scope(rusty_h264_common::prof::Stage::DecBWeights);
            self.implicit_weights(refi0, refi1)
        };
        // Bi-prediction blend: the weights decision is LOOP-INVARIANT, so every
        // blend site below matches on `weights` ONCE and runs a branch-free
        // pixel loop — the unweighted `(p+q+1)>>1` average then autovectorizes
        // (the per-pixel closure this replaces hid the invariant behind a
        // capture, and its chroma form was a &dyn call PER PIXEL).
        // FULL-WIDTH regions (px == 0, rw == 16 — every 16×16/16×8 partition and
        // most direct regions) occupy contiguous rows of `pred_y`, so MC writes
        // the destination DIRECTLY: uni-pred needs no staging at all, bi-pred
        // stages only the second list and blends in place. The staging arrays
        // (512 B zeroed per call before this) now exist only on the branches
        // that read them. Same fusion as the P path's mc_rect (WHYS Part 8).
        let full = px == 0 && rw == 16;
        if refi0 >= 0
            && refi1 >= 0
            && mv0.0 % 4 == 0
            && mv0.1 % 4 == 0
            && mv1.0 % 4 == 0
            && mv1.1 % 4 == 0
        {
            edcstat::bump(&edcstat::BMC_BI_FP, 1);
        }
        let _gl = rusty_h264_common::prof::scope(rusty_h264_common::prof::Stage::DecBLuma);
        // One scratch borrow for the whole region — both bi-pred passes included.
        // The closure yields whether the arm already ran the chroma half (the
        // bi-pred full-width arm does, to keep its staging alive) — a plain
        // `return` inside would exit the CLOSURE only and chroma would run twice.
        let chroma_done =
            rusty_h264_common::inter::with_mc_scratch(|scr| match (refi0 >= 0, refi1 >= 0, full) {
                (true, false, true) => {
                    let Some(rf) = self.refs.get(refi0 as usize) else {
                        return false;
                    };
                    rusty_h264_common::inter::mc_luma_padded_pre(
                        scr,
                        &*rf.luma_guard(rf.ch),
                        rf.lstride(),
                        crate::LPAD,
                        self.cw,
                        ch,
                        mb_x * 16,
                        mb_y * 16 + py,
                        rw,
                        rh,
                        mv0.0,
                        mv0.1,
                        &mut pred_y[py * 16..py * 16 + rw * rh],
                    );
                    false
                }
                (false, true, true) => {
                    let Some(rf) = self.refs1.get(refi1 as usize) else {
                        return false;
                    };
                    rusty_h264_common::inter::mc_luma_padded_pre(
                        scr,
                        &*rf.luma_guard(rf.ch),
                        rf.lstride(),
                        crate::LPAD,
                        self.cw,
                        ch,
                        mb_x * 16,
                        mb_y * 16 + py,
                        rw,
                        rh,
                        mv1.0,
                        mv1.1,
                        &mut pred_y[py * 16..py * 16 + rw * rh],
                    );
                    false
                }
                (true, true, true) => {
                    let Some(rf) = self.refs.get(refi0 as usize) else {
                        return false;
                    };
                    rusty_h264_common::inter::mc_luma_padded_pre(
                        scr,
                        &*rf.luma_guard(rf.ch),
                        rf.lstride(),
                        crate::LPAD,
                        self.cw,
                        ch,
                        mb_x * 16,
                        mb_y * 16 + py,
                        rw,
                        rh,
                        mv0.0,
                        mv0.1,
                        &mut pred_y[py * 16..py * 16 + rw * rh],
                    );
                    let mut b = [0u8; 256];
                    let Some(rf) = self.refs1.get(refi1 as usize) else {
                        return false;
                    };
                    rusty_h264_common::inter::mc_luma_padded_pre(
                        scr,
                        &*rf.luma_guard(rf.ch),
                        rf.lstride(),
                        crate::LPAD,
                        self.cw,
                        ch,
                        mb_x * 16,
                        mb_y * 16 + py,
                        rw,
                        rh,
                        mv1.0,
                        mv1.1,
                        &mut b[..rw * rh],
                    );
                    drop(_gl);
                    let _gbl =
                        rusty_h264_common::prof::scope(rusty_h264_common::prof::Stage::DecBBlend);
                    // SLICE-then-zip: proving the bounds ONCE lets rustc emit the whole
                    // 256-byte average as 8 straight-line vpavgb ops (verified in
                    // isolation, x86-64-v3); the indexed form kept a per-iteration
                    // bounds check and a loop. A hand AVX2 kernel is refuted — the
                    // compiler already emits the ideal instruction.
                    let dst = &mut pred_y[py * 16..py * 16 + rw * rh];
                    match weights {
                        None => {
                            for (d, s) in dst.iter_mut().zip(&b[..rw * rh]) {
                                *d = ((*d as u16 + *s as u16 + 1) >> 1) as u8;
                            }
                        }
                        Some((w0, w1)) => {
                            for (d, s) in dst.iter_mut().zip(&b[..rw * rh]) {
                                *d = ((*d as i32 * w0 + *s as i32 * w1 + 32) >> 6).clamp(0, 255)
                                    as u8;
                            }
                        }
                    }
                    let _gc =
                        rusty_h264_common::prof::scope(rusty_h264_common::prof::Stage::DecBChroma);
                    self.b_mc_chroma(
                        mb_x, mb_y, px, py, rw, rh, refi0, mv0, refi1, mv1, c_pred, weights, cch,
                    );
                    true
                }
                _ => {
                    // Narrow region — rows are strided in `pred_y`; stage and copy.
                    let (mut a, mut b) = ([0u8; 256], [0u8; 256]);
                    if refi0 >= 0 {
                        let Some(rf) = self.refs.get(refi0 as usize) else {
                            return false;
                        };
                        rusty_h264_common::inter::mc_luma_padded_pre(
                            scr,
                            &*rf.luma_guard(rf.ch),
                            rf.lstride(),
                            crate::LPAD,
                            self.cw,
                            ch,
                            mb_x * 16 + px,
                            mb_y * 16 + py,
                            rw,
                            rh,
                            mv0.0,
                            mv0.1,
                            &mut a[..rw * rh],
                        );
                    }
                    if refi1 >= 0 {
                        let Some(rf) = self.refs1.get(refi1 as usize) else {
                            return false;
                        };
                        rusty_h264_common::inter::mc_luma_padded_pre(
                            scr,
                            &*rf.luma_guard(rf.ch),
                            rf.lstride(),
                            crate::LPAD,
                            self.cw,
                            ch,
                            mb_x * 16 + px,
                            mb_y * 16 + py,
                            rw,
                            rh,
                            mv1.0,
                            mv1.1,
                            &mut b[..rw * rh],
                        );
                    }
                    drop(_gl);
                    let _gbl =
                        rusty_h264_common::prof::scope(rusty_h264_common::prof::Stage::DecBBlend);
                    match (refi0 >= 0, refi1 >= 0) {
                        (true, true) => {
                            for dy in 0..rh {
                                let (ar, br) =
                                    (&a[dy * rw..dy * rw + rw], &b[dy * rw..dy * rw + rw]);
                                let base = (py + dy) * 16 + px;
                                let dst = &mut pred_y[base..base + rw];
                                match weights {
                                    None => {
                                        for ((d, p), q) in dst.iter_mut().zip(ar).zip(br) {
                                            *d = ((*p as u16 + *q as u16 + 1) >> 1) as u8;
                                        }
                                    }
                                    Some((w0, w1)) => {
                                        for ((d, p), q) in dst.iter_mut().zip(ar).zip(br) {
                                            *d = ((*p as i32 * w0 + *q as i32 * w1 + 32) >> 6)
                                                .clamp(0, 255)
                                                as u8;
                                        }
                                    }
                                }
                            }
                        }
                        (true, false) => {
                            for dy in 0..rh {
                                let d = (py + dy) * 16 + px;
                                pred_y[d..d + rw].copy_from_slice(&a[dy * rw..dy * rw + rw]);
                            }
                        }
                        _ => {
                            for dy in 0..rh {
                                let d = (py + dy) * 16 + px;
                                pred_y[d..d + rw].copy_from_slice(&b[dy * rw..dy * rw + rw]);
                            }
                        }
                    }
                    false
                }
            });
        if chroma_done {
            return;
        }
        let _gc = rusty_h264_common::prof::scope(rusty_h264_common::prof::Stage::DecBChroma);
        self.b_mc_chroma(
            mb_x, mb_y, px, py, rw, rh, refi0, mv0, refi1, mv1, c_pred, weights, cch,
        );
    }

    /// Chroma half of `b_mc`, with the same full-width direct-write fusion
    /// (crw == 8 rows are contiguous in the 8-wide `c_pred` planes).
    #[allow(clippy::too_many_arguments)]
    /// Chroma half of `b_mc`. U and V share every piece of MC geometry, so
    /// each list is ONE `mc_chroma_padded_pair` call (setup + range check paid
    /// once, kernels unchanged) instead of two per-plane calls — the per-plane
    /// pixel math is byte-identical to the old per-plane flow.
    #[allow(clippy::too_many_arguments)]
    fn b_mc_chroma(
        &self,
        mb_x: usize,
        mb_y: usize,
        px: usize,
        py: usize,
        rw: usize,
        rh: usize,
        refi0: i32,
        mv0: (i32, i32),
        refi1: i32,
        mv1: (i32, i32),
        c_pred: &mut [[u8; 64]; 2],
        weights: Option<(i32, i32)>,
        cch: usize,
    ) {
        use rusty_h264_common::inter::mc_chroma_padded_pair;
        let (crx, cry, crw, crh) = (px / 2, py / 2, rw / 2, rh / 2);
        let full = crx == 0 && crw == 8;
        let n = crw * crh;
        // RESOLVE BOTH SLOTS ONCE, then let the match patterns bind them. Every
        // arm below re-indexed `refs`/`refs1` by a raw `refi` — six checked Vec
        // indexes across the four arms — although `a0`/`a1` already meant
        // exactly "this slot is present". Carrying `Option<&RefPic>` instead of
        // a bool makes "present" and "in range" the same fact.
        let rf0 = (refi0 >= 0)
            .then(|| self.refs.get(refi0 as usize))
            .flatten();
        let rf1 = (refi1 >= 0)
            .then(|| self.refs1.get(refi1 as usize))
            .flatten();
        let (a0, a1) = (rf0.is_some(), rf1.is_some());
        let [cu, cv] = c_pred;
        match (a0, a1, full) {
            (true, false, true) | (false, true, true) => {
                let (Some(rf), mv) = (if a0 { rf0 } else { rf1 }, if a0 { mv0 } else { mv1 })
                else {
                    return;
                };
                let (gu, gv) = (rf.chroma_guard(0, rf.ch), rf.chroma_guard(1, rf.ch));
                mc_chroma_padded_pair(
                    &gu,
                    &gv,
                    rf.cstride(),
                    crate::CPAD,
                    self.ccw,
                    cch,
                    mb_x * 8,
                    mb_y * 8 + cry,
                    crw,
                    crh,
                    mv.0,
                    mv.1,
                    &mut cu[cry * 8..cry * 8 + n],
                    &mut cv[cry * 8..cry * 8 + n],
                );
            }
            (true, true, true) => {
                let (Some(rfa), Some(rfb)) = (rf0, rf1) else {
                    return;
                };
                {
                    let rf = rfa;
                    let (gu, gv) = (rf.chroma_guard(0, rf.ch), rf.chroma_guard(1, rf.ch));
                    mc_chroma_padded_pair(
                        &gu,
                        &gv,
                        rf.cstride(),
                        crate::CPAD,
                        self.ccw,
                        cch,
                        mb_x * 8,
                        mb_y * 8 + cry,
                        crw,
                        crh,
                        mv0.0,
                        mv0.1,
                        &mut cu[cry * 8..cry * 8 + n],
                        &mut cv[cry * 8..cry * 8 + n],
                    );
                }
                let (mut bu, mut bv) = ([0u8; 64], [0u8; 64]);
                {
                    let rf = rfb;
                    let (gu, gv) = (rf.chroma_guard(0, rf.ch), rf.chroma_guard(1, rf.ch));
                    mc_chroma_padded_pair(
                        &gu,
                        &gv,
                        rf.cstride(),
                        crate::CPAD,
                        self.ccw,
                        cch,
                        mb_x * 8,
                        mb_y * 8 + cry,
                        crw,
                        crh,
                        mv1.0,
                        mv1.1,
                        &mut bu[..n],
                        &mut bv[..n],
                    );
                }
                for (dst, stage) in [(&mut *cu, &bu), (&mut *cv, &bv)] {
                    let d = &mut dst[cry * 8..cry * 8 + n];
                    match weights {
                        None => {
                            for (o, q) in d.iter_mut().zip(&stage[..n]) {
                                *o = ((*o as u16 + *q as u16 + 1) >> 1) as u8;
                            }
                        }
                        Some((w0, w1)) => {
                            for (o, q) in d.iter_mut().zip(&stage[..n]) {
                                *o = ((*o as i32 * w0 + *q as i32 * w1 + 32) >> 6).clamp(0, 255)
                                    as u8;
                            }
                        }
                    }
                }
            }
            _ => {
                // Narrow region — rows are strided in the 8-wide pred planes;
                // stage per list (paired), then copy/blend strided per plane.
                let (mut au, mut av, mut bu, mut bv) = ([0u8; 64], [0u8; 64], [0u8; 64], [0u8; 64]);
                if let Some(rf) = rf0 {
                    let (gu, gv) = (rf.chroma_guard(0, rf.ch), rf.chroma_guard(1, rf.ch));
                    mc_chroma_padded_pair(
                        &gu,
                        &gv,
                        rf.cstride(),
                        crate::CPAD,
                        self.ccw,
                        cch,
                        mb_x * 8 + crx,
                        mb_y * 8 + cry,
                        crw,
                        crh,
                        mv0.0,
                        mv0.1,
                        &mut au[..n],
                        &mut av[..n],
                    );
                }
                if let Some(rf) = rf1 {
                    let (gu, gv) = (rf.chroma_guard(0, rf.ch), rf.chroma_guard(1, rf.ch));
                    mc_chroma_padded_pair(
                        &gu,
                        &gv,
                        rf.cstride(),
                        crate::CPAD,
                        self.ccw,
                        cch,
                        mb_x * 8 + crx,
                        mb_y * 8 + cry,
                        crw,
                        crh,
                        mv1.0,
                        mv1.1,
                        &mut bu[..n],
                        &mut bv[..n],
                    );
                }
                for (dst, sa, sb) in [(&mut *cu, &au, &bu), (&mut *cv, &av, &bv)] {
                    for dy in 0..crh {
                        let base = (cry + dy) * 8 + crx;
                        let d = &mut dst[base..base + crw];
                        match (a0, a1) {
                            (true, true) => {
                                let (pr, qr) =
                                    (&sa[dy * crw..dy * crw + crw], &sb[dy * crw..dy * crw + crw]);
                                match weights {
                                    None => {
                                        for ((o, pp), q) in d.iter_mut().zip(pr).zip(qr) {
                                            *o = ((*pp as u16 + *q as u16 + 1) >> 1) as u8;
                                        }
                                    }
                                    Some((w0, w1)) => {
                                        for ((o, pp), q) in d.iter_mut().zip(pr).zip(qr) {
                                            *o = ((*pp as i32 * w0 + *q as i32 * w1 + 32) >> 6)
                                                .clamp(0, 255)
                                                as u8;
                                        }
                                    }
                                }
                            }
                            (true, false) => d.copy_from_slice(&sa[dy * crw..dy * crw + crw]),
                            _ => d.copy_from_slice(&sb[dy * crw..dy * crw + crw]),
                        }
                    }
                }
            }
        }
    }

    /// Commits a region's per-list motion to the 4×4 grids (and marks coded).
    #[allow(clippy::too_many_arguments)]
    fn b_set_motion(
        &mut self,
        mb_x: usize,
        mb_y: usize,
        px: usize,
        py: usize,
        rw: usize,
        rh: usize,
        refi0: i32,
        mv0: (i32, i32),
        refi1: i32,
        mv1: (i32, i32),
    ) {
        let _gs = rusty_h264_common::prof::scope(rusty_h264_common::prof::Stage::DecBSet);
        let w4 = self.mb_w * 4;
        let mv0w = if refi0 >= 0 { mv0 } else { (0, 0) };
        let mv1w = if refi1 >= 0 { mv1 } else { (0, 0) };
        let by0 = mb_y * 4 + py / 4;
        let bx0 = mb_x * 4 + px / 4;
        let (bw, bh) = (rw / 4, rh / 4);
        // Contiguous per-row slices: fill instead of per-4x4 stores (same values).
        // SEVEN parallel grids, seven separate range checks — they are disjoint
        // fields of `self`, so one `get_mut` apiece resolves them all together
        // and a short row simply writes nothing rather than panicking.
        for by in by0..by0 + bh {
            let row = by * w4 + bx0;
            let end = row + bw;
            let (Some(r0), Some(m0), Some(r1), Some(m1)) = (
                self.ref_idx_y.get_mut(row..end),
                self.mv_y.get_mut(row..end),
                self.ref_idx1.get_mut(row..end),
                self.mv1.get_mut(row..end),
            ) else {
                continue;
            };
            r0.fill(refi0);
            m0.fill(mv0w);
            r1.fill(refi1);
            m1.fill(mv1w);
            let (Some(it), Some(cd), Some(md)) = (
                self.inter_y.get_mut(row..end),
                self.coded_y.get_mut(row..end),
                self.modes_y.get_mut(row..end),
            ) else {
                continue;
            };
            it.fill(true);
            cd.fill(true);
            md.fill(2);
        }
    }

    /// Spatial direct prediction for a region (whole MB or an 8×8): derives the
    /// per-list reference indices and base MVs, then motion-compensates each 4×4
    /// sub-block (applying `colZeroFlag`) and commits the motion (spec §8.4.1.2.2).
    #[allow(clippy::too_many_arguments)]
    /// Splits a `w`×`h` block region (4×4-block units) into the fewest rectangles
    /// whose contents are `uniform`, preferring partition-shaped cuts (whole →
    /// horizontal halves → vertical halves → quadrants). Emits at most w·h rects
    /// (the all-different worst case degenerates to per-block, i.e. the old loop).
    fn coalesce_region<
        U: Fn(usize, usize, usize, usize) -> bool,
        E: FnMut(usize, usize, usize, usize),
    >(
        x: usize,
        y: usize,
        w: usize,
        h: usize,
        uniform: &U,
        emit: &mut E,
    ) {
        if uniform(x, y, w, h) {
            emit(x, y, w, h);
            return;
        }
        if h > 1 && uniform(x, y, w, h / 2) && uniform(x, y + h / 2, w, h / 2) {
            emit(x, y, w, h / 2);
            emit(x, y + h / 2, w, h / 2);
            return;
        }
        if w > 1 && uniform(x, y, w / 2, h) && uniform(x + w / 2, y, w / 2, h) {
            emit(x, y, w / 2, h);
            emit(x + w / 2, y, w / 2, h);
            return;
        }
        match (w > 1, h > 1) {
            (true, true) => {
                for q in 0..4usize {
                    Self::coalesce_region(
                        x + (q % 2) * (w / 2),
                        y + (q / 2) * (h / 2),
                        w / 2,
                        h / 2,
                        uniform,
                        emit,
                    );
                }
            }
            (true, false) => {
                Self::coalesce_region(x, y, w / 2, h, uniform, emit);
                Self::coalesce_region(x + w / 2, y, w / 2, h, uniform, emit);
            }
            (false, true) => {
                Self::coalesce_region(x, y, w, h / 2, uniform, emit);
                Self::coalesce_region(x, y + h / 2, w, h / 2, uniform, emit);
            }
            (false, false) => emit(x, y, 1, 1),
        }
    }

    fn decode_b_direct(
        &mut self,
        mb_x: usize,
        mb_y: usize,
        px: usize,
        py: usize,
        rw: usize,
        rh: usize,
        pred_y: &mut [u8; 256],
        c_pred: &mut [[u8; 64]; 2],
    ) {
        if !self.direct_spatial {
            return self.decode_b_direct_temporal(mb_x, mb_y, px, py, rw, rh, pred_y, c_pred);
        }
        let (n0, n1) = self.b_direct_nbrs(mb_x, mb_y);
        self.decode_b_direct_n(mb_x, mb_y, px, py, rw, rh, pred_y, c_pred, n0, n1);
    }

    /// Spec §8.4.1.2.2: the spatial-direct reference indices (min positive over
    /// the three neighbors, per list) and the predicted MVs. `direct_zero` is
    /// the both-lists-unavailable case, which forces ref 0 / mv (0,0). Shared
    /// by `decode_b_direct_n` and the B_Skip zero-bi fast path — ONE derivation,
    /// no drift.
    #[inline]
    fn b_direct_refs_mvs(
        n0: &[MvNeighbor; 3],
        n1: &[MvNeighbor; 3],
    ) -> (i32, i32, (i32, i32), (i32, i32), bool) {
        let min_pos = |a: i32, b: i32| {
            if a < 0 {
                b
            } else if b < 0 {
                a
            } else {
                a.min(b)
            }
        };
        let rid = |n: &[MvNeighbor; 3]| min_pos(min_pos(n[0].ref_idx, n[1].ref_idx), n[2].ref_idx);
        let (mut refi0, mut refi1) = (rid(n0), rid(n1));
        let direct_zero = refi0 < 0 && refi1 < 0;
        if direct_zero {
            refi0 = 0;
            refi1 = 0;
        }
        let mv0 = if refi0 >= 0 && !direct_zero {
            predict_mv(n0[0], n0[1], n0[2], refi0)
        } else {
            (0, 0)
        };
        let mv1 = if refi1 >= 0 && !direct_zero {
            predict_mv(n1[0], n1[1], n1[2], refi1)
        } else {
            (0, 0)
        };
        (refi0, refi1, mv0, mv1, direct_zero)
    }

    fn decode_b_direct_n(
        &mut self,
        mb_x: usize,
        mb_y: usize,
        px: usize,
        py: usize,
        rw: usize,
        rh: usize,
        pred_y: &mut [u8; 256],
        c_pred: &mut [[u8; 64]; 2],
        n0: [MvNeighbor; 3],
        n1: [MvNeighbor; 3],
    ) {
        let _gb = rusty_h264_common::prof::scope(rusty_h264_common::prof::Stage::DecBDirect);
        // H-48: DERIVATION-ONLY scope, dropped before the MC loop below. DecBDirect
        // wraps this function whole and therefore INCLUDES the `b_mc` calls it makes,
        // so its 1460 ns/call was never "MV derivation is slow" — that read was wrong.
        // This guard is what separates the two.
        let gd = rusty_h264_common::prof::scope(rusty_h264_common::prof::Stage::DecBDeriv);
        let derived = Self::b_direct_refs_mvs(&n0, &n1);
        drop(gd);
        self.b_direct_region(mb_x, mb_y, px, py, rw, rh, pred_y, c_pred, derived);
    }

    /// The post-derivation half of spatial direct: czg probing (gated), region
    /// coalescing, MC + motion commit. Split out so B_8x8 direct subs derive
    /// ONCE per MB (the A/B/C neighbours and the rid/median result are
    /// MB-level; only czg varies per 8x8).
    #[allow(clippy::too_many_arguments)]
    fn b_direct_region(
        &mut self,
        mb_x: usize,
        mb_y: usize,
        px: usize,
        py: usize,
        rw: usize,
        rh: usize,
        pred_y: &mut [u8; 256],
        c_pred: &mut [[u8; 64]; 2],
        derived: (i32, i32, (i32, i32), (i32, i32), bool),
    ) {
        let (refi0, refi1, mv0, mv1, direct_zero) = derived;
        // Per 4×4 sub-block: colZeroFlag zeroes the ref-0 motion vector. cz is the
        // ONLY per-block variable (two possible (m0,m1) values for the region), and
        // the MC filters + bi-blend are per-output-pixel — so sub-blocks with equal
        // cz coalesce into one wider `b_mc`, BIT-IDENTICAL. A 16×16 direct MB paid
        // 16 bi-pred b_mc calls (~96 MC kernel entries) before this; typically 1 now.
        let (bx0, by0, bw, bh) = (px / 4, py / 4, rw / 4, rh / 4);
        // MASKED at every use below. The loop bounds are the region's `bw`/`bh` in
        // 4x4 units, which are always <= 4 for a macroblock but are RUNTIME values,
        // so none of the eight indexes into this fixed 4x4 grid was provable.
        let mut czg = [[false; 4]; 4]; // region-local, [dy][dx]
                                       // colZeroFlag can only change a list whose ref is 0 AND whose predicted
                                       // MV is nonzero (it zeroes MVs; zeroing (0,0) is a no-op). When neither
                                       // list qualifies, skip the probing entirely: czg stays false, the
                                       // region is uniform, and the m values are identical — the only change
                                       // is FEWER b_mc calls where the old czg would have split rects with
                                       // equal values (tiles of the same math, byte-identical).
        let cz_matters = (refi0 == 0 && mv0 != (0, 0)) || (refi1 == 0 && mv1 != (0, 0));
        // Uniformity is KNOWN after the probe fill — when every probe agreed,
        // the 16-bool coalesce scan and its recursion are skipped outright.
        let mut cz_mixed = false;
        if cz_matters && !direct_zero && self.direct_8x8_inference {
            // Under direct_8x8_inference every 4×4 in an 8×8 shares one colZeroFlag
            // (col_block collapses to the MB-corner). Probe once per 8×8 — same
            // czg, fewer wait_motion_ready / meta locks on the live-ref path.
            let mut oy = 0usize;
            while oy < bh {
                let h = (bh - oy).min(2);
                let mut ox = 0usize;
                while ox < bw {
                    let w = (bw - ox).min(2);
                    let (colx, coly) = self.col_block(bx0 + ox, by0 + oy);
                    let cz = self.col_zero(mb_x * 4 + colx, mb_y * 4 + coly);
                    cz_mixed |= cz != czg[0][0] && !(ox == 0 && oy == 0);
                    for dy in oy..oy + h {
                        for dx in ox..ox + w {
                            czg[dy & 3][dx & 3] = cz;
                        }
                    }
                    ox += w;
                }
                oy += h;
            }
        } else if cz_matters && !direct_zero {
            for dy in 0..bh {
                for dx in 0..bw {
                    let (colx, coly) = self.col_block(bx0 + dx, by0 + dy);
                    let cz = self.col_zero(mb_x * 4 + colx, mb_y * 4 + coly);
                    cz_mixed |= cz != czg[0][0] && !(dx == 0 && dy == 0);
                    czg[dy & 3][dx & 3] = cz;
                }
            }
        }
        let mut rects: [(usize, usize, usize, usize); 16] = [(0, 0, 0, 0); 16];
        let mut n = 0usize;
        if !cz_mixed {
            rects[0] = (0, 0, bw, bh);
            n = 1;
        } else {
            let uniform = |x: usize, y: usize, w: usize, h: usize| -> bool {
                let t = czg[y & 3][x & 3];
                (y..y + h).all(|dy| (x..x + w).all(|dx| czg[dy & 3][dx & 3] == t))
            };
            Self::coalesce_region(0, 0, bw, bh, &uniform, &mut |x, y, w, h| {
                rects[n & 15] = (x, y, w, h);
                n += 1;
            });
        }
        let recording = self.edc_regions.is_some();
        if rw == 16 && rh == 16 {
            edcstat::bump(&edcstat::BSK_FULLMB, 1);
            if n == 1 {
                edcstat::bump(&edcstat::BSK_1RECT, 1);
                let cz = czg[0][0];
                let m0 = if refi0 == 0 && cz { (0, 0) } else { mv0 };
                let m1 = if refi1 == 0 && cz { (0, 0) } else { mv1 };
                let (a0, a1) = (refi0 >= 0, refi1 >= 0);
                if a0 && a1 && m0 == (0, 0) && m1 == (0, 0) {
                    edcstat::bump(&edcstat::BSK_ZBI, 1);
                } else if (a0 != a1) && (if a0 { m0 } else { m1 }) == (0, 0) {
                    edcstat::bump(&edcstat::BSK_ZUNI, 1);
                } else if (!a0 || (m0.0 % 4 == 0 && m0.1 % 4 == 0))
                    && (!a1 || (m1.0 % 4 == 0 && m1.1 % 4 == 0))
                {
                    edcstat::bump(&edcstat::BSK_FP, 1);
                }
                if self.bsk_last == Some((mb_x.wrapping_sub(1), mb_y, refi0, refi1, m0, m1)) {
                    edcstat::bump(&edcstat::BSK_RUNCONT, 1);
                }
                self.bsk_last = Some((mb_x, mb_y, refi0, refi1, m0, m1));
            } else {
                self.bsk_last = None;
            }
        }
        for &(x, y, w, h) in &rects[..n] {
            let cz = czg[y & 3][x & 3];
            let m0 = if refi0 == 0 && cz { (0, 0) } else { mv0 };
            let m1 = if refi1 == 0 && cz { (0, 0) } else { mv1 };
            let (lx, ly, lw, lh) = ((bx0 + x) * 4, (by0 + y) * 4, w * 4, h * 4);
            if recording {
                self.b_mc_or_record(
                    mb_x, mb_y, lx, ly, lw, lh, refi0, m0, refi1, m1, pred_y, c_pred,
                );
            } else {
                self.b_mc(
                    mb_x, mb_y, lx, ly, lw, lh, refi0, m0, refi1, m1, pred_y, c_pred,
                );
            }
            self.b_set_motion(mb_x, mb_y, lx, ly, lw, lh, refi0, m0, refi1, m1);
        }
    }

    /// Temporal direct prediction for a region (spec §8.4.1.2.3): for each 4×4
    /// (or per-8×8 corner under `direct_8x8_inference`), take the co-located
    /// List-0 motion from `RefPicList1[0]`, map its reference into the current
    /// List-0 by POC, and scale the motion vector by the POC distances.
    #[allow(clippy::too_many_arguments)]
    fn decode_b_direct_temporal(
        &mut self,
        mb_x: usize,
        mb_y: usize,
        px: usize,
        py: usize,
        rw: usize,
        rh: usize,
        pred_y: &mut [u8; 256],
        c_pred: &mut [[u8; 64]; 2],
    ) {
        let poc1 = self.refs1.first().map_or(0, |f| f.pic_poc());
        let infer = self.direct_8x8_inference;
        // Under direct_8x8_inference every 4×4 in an 8×8 takes the same MB-corner
        // co-located motion, so motion-compensate the whole 8×8 in one call — this
        // hits the width-8 MC asm and pays the per-call tile/blend setup 4× less.
        // Without inference, motion is genuinely per-4×4. Bit-identical either way
        // (MC of an 8×8 with one MV == four 4×4 MCs with that same MV).
        let step = if infer { 8 } else { 4 };
        let mut sy = py;
        while sy < py + rh {
            let mut sx = px;
            while sx < px + rw {
                // Co-located 4×4 (the 8×8's MB-corner under inference) — shared with
                // the spatial path's colZeroFlag, which must map identically.
                let (colx, coly) = self.col_block(sx / 4, sy / 4);
                let (mvcol, refpoc) = {
                    let Some(col) = self.refs1.first() else {
                        return;
                    };
                    if let Some(live) = col.live.as_ref() {
                        col.wait_motion_ready();
                        let meta = live.meta.read().unwrap();
                        let idx = (mb_y * 4 + coly) * meta.w4 + (mb_x * 4 + colx);
                        // `mv` and `ref_poc` are PARALLEL Vecs: the `mv.len()`
                        // guard said nothing about `ref_poc`.
                        match (meta.mv.get(idx), meta.ref_poc.get(idx)) {
                            (Some(&m), Some(&pc)) if meta.w4 != 0 && pc != i32::MIN => (m, pc),
                            _ => ((0, 0), i32::MIN),
                        }
                    } else {
                        let idx = (mb_y * 4 + coly) * col.w4 + (mb_x * 4 + colx);
                        // intra co-located → zero motion, refIdxL0 = 0
                        match (col.mv.get(idx), col.ref_poc.get(idx)) {
                            (Some(&m), Some(&pc)) if col.w4 != 0 && pc != i32::MIN => (m, pc),
                            _ => ((0, 0), i32::MIN),
                        }
                    }
                };
                // MapColToList0: the current-list index of the co-located reference.
                let (refi0, mvc) = if refpoc == i32::MIN {
                    (0, (0, 0))
                } else {
                    let r = self
                        .refs
                        .iter()
                        .position(|f| f.pic_poc() == refpoc)
                        .unwrap_or(0) as i32;
                    (r, mvcol)
                };
                let Some(r0) = self.refs.get(refi0 as usize) else {
                    return;
                };
                let poc0 = r0.pic_poc();
                let td = (poc1 - poc0).clamp(-128, 127);
                let tb = (self.cur_poc - poc0).clamp(-128, 127);
                let (mv0, mv1) = if td == 0 || r0.long_term {
                    (mvc, (0, 0))
                } else {
                    let tx = tx_for_td(td);
                    let dsf = ((tb * tx + 32) >> 6).clamp(-1024, 1023);
                    let m0 = ((dsf * mvc.0 + 128) >> 8, (dsf * mvc.1 + 128) >> 8);
                    (m0, (m0.0 - mvc.0, m0.1 - mvc.1))
                };
                self.b_mc_or_record(
                    mb_x, mb_y, sx, sy, step, step, refi0, mv0, 0, mv1, pred_y, c_pred,
                );
                self.b_set_motion(mb_x, mb_y, sx, sy, step, step, refi0, mv0, 0, mv1);
                sx += step;
            }
            sy += step;
        }
    }

    /// Reads `ref_idx_lX` for a B partition (te(v)/ue(v) by the list's active
    /// count), bounds-checked against the available reference count.
    fn read_b_ref(&self, r: &mut BitReader, list: usize) -> Result<i32, MbError> {
        let (active, avail) = if list == 0 {
            (self.num_ref_active, self.refs.len())
        } else {
            (self.num_ref_active1, self.refs1.len())
        };
        let v = if active > 1 {
            read_ref_idx(r, active)?
        } else {
            0
        };
        if v as usize >= avail {
            return Err(MbError::Truncated);
        }
        Ok(v)
    }

    /// Reconstructs a `B_Skip` macroblock: spatial-direct prediction, no residual.
    /// Defer one fast B_Skip's grid commit + recon into the pending row span.
    /// Continuation requires position adjacency AND kind equality.
    #[inline]
    fn bz_push(&mut self, mb_x: usize, mb_y: usize, kind: BzKind) {
        match self.bzspan {
            Some((row, x0, ref mut n, k)) if row == mb_y && x0 + *n == mb_x && k == kind => *n += 1,
            _ => {
                self.bz_flush();
                self.bzspan = Some((mb_y, mb_x, 1, kind));
            }
        }
    }

    /// Range-fill the pending span's grids. MUST run before anything reads
    /// the motion/coded/mode/nnz grids of a deferred MB: decode_b_mb entry,
    /// decode_b_skip's b_direct_nbrs, bS derivation (derive_bs_row callers
    /// via row_hook + deblock), and slice end (edc_flush covers it).
    #[inline(always)]
    fn bz_flush(&mut self) {
        if self.bzspan.is_some() {
            self.bz_flush_slow();
        }
    }

    fn bz_flush_slow(&mut self) {
        let _sg = rusty_h264_common::prof::scope(rusty_h264_common::prof::Stage::BSpanRecon);
        let Some((row, x0, n, kind)) = self.bzspan.take() else {
            return;
        };
        edcstat::bump(&edcstat::BZ_SPANS, 1);
        edcstat::bump(&edcstat::BZ_SPAN_MBS, n as u64);
        // Grid values per kind (mirrors b_set_motion's inactive-list zeroing).
        let (g_r0, g_r1, g_m0, g_m1): (i32, i32, (i32, i32), (i32, i32)) = match kind {
            BzKind::ZeroBi => (0, 0, (0, 0), (0, 0)),
            BzKind::ZeroUni(0, ri) => (ri as i32, -1, (0, 0), (0, 0)),
            BzKind::ZeroUni(_, ri) => (-1, ri as i32, (0, 0), (0, 0)),
            BzKind::Fp { r0, r1, m0, m1 } => {
                let mm0 = if r0 >= 0 {
                    (m0.0 as i32, m0.1 as i32)
                } else {
                    (0, 0)
                };
                let mm1 = if r1 >= 0 {
                    (m1.0 as i32, m1.1 as i32)
                } else {
                    (0, 0)
                };
                (r0 as i32, r1 as i32, mm0, mm1)
            }
        };
        let w4 = self.mb_w * 4;
        let (b0, len) = (x0 * 4, n * 4);
        for dy in 0..4 {
            let a = (row * 4 + dy) * w4 + b0;
            self.ref_idx_y[a..a + len].fill(g_r0);
            self.mv_y[a..a + len].fill(g_m0);
            self.ref_idx1[a..a + len].fill(g_r1);
            self.mv1[a..a + len].fill(g_m1);
            self.inter_y[a..a + len].fill(true);
            self.coded_y[a..a + len].fill(true);
            self.modes_y[a..a + len].fill(2);
            self.nnz_y[a..a + len].fill(0);
        }
        match kind {
            BzKind::ZeroBi => self.bz_recon_band_bi(row, x0, n),
            BzKind::ZeroUni(list, ri) => {
                self.bz_recon_band_copy(row, x0, n, list as usize, ri as usize, (0, 0))
            }
            BzKind::Fp { r0, r1, m0, m1 } => {
                let mv0 = (m0.0 as i32, m0.1 as i32);
                let mv1 = (m1.0 as i32, m1.1 as i32);
                match (r0 >= 0, r1 >= 0) {
                    (true, true) => {
                        self.bz_recon_band_fp_bi(row, x0, n, r0 as usize, r1 as usize, mv0, mv1)
                    }
                    (true, false) => self.bz_recon_band_copy(row, x0, n, 0, r0 as usize, mv0),
                    _ => self.bz_recon_band_copy(row, x0, n, 1, r1 as usize, mv1),
                }
            }
        }
    }

    /// ZeroBi band: rows of 16n averaged from both padded refs (index 0).
    fn bz_recon_band_bi(&mut self, row: usize, x0: usize, n: usize) {
        // Byte-identical to n recon_b_skip_zero_bi(_, _, 0, 0) calls: each
        // output byte is the same (a + b + 1) >> 1 of the same source bytes.
        let w = n * 16;
        let Some(rf0) = self.refs.first() else { return };
        let Some(rf1) = self.refs1.first() else {
            return;
        };
        let (l0st, l1st) = (rf0.lstride(), rf1.lstride());
        {
            let _g = rusty_h264_common::prof::scope(rusty_h264_common::prof::Stage::SkipRecon);
            let (ly0, ly1) = (rf0.luma_guard(rf0.ch), rf1.luma_guard(rf1.ch));
            for dy in 0..16 {
                let y = row * 16 + dy;
                let s0 = (y + crate::LPAD) * l0st + crate::LPAD + x0 * 16;
                let s1 = (y + crate::LPAD) * l1st + crate::LPAD + x0 * 16;
                let d = y * self.cw + x0 * 16;
                // WIN: this bi-average was a scalar byte loop; `pixel_avg` computes
                // (a + b + 1) >> 1 exactly with pavgb, and the row helper walks the
                // span in kernel-legal widths.
                rusty_h264_common::inter::avg_row_into(
                    &ly0[s0..s0 + w],
                    &ly1[s1..s1 + w],
                    w,
                    &mut self.rec_y[d..d + w],
                );
            }
        }
        let (c0st, c1st) = (rf0.cstride(), rf1.cstride());
        let wc = n * 8;
        for c in 0..2 {
            let rc0 = rf0.chroma_guard(c, rf0.ch);
            let rc1 = rf1.chroma_guard(c, rf1.ch);
            let plane = if c == 0 {
                &mut self.rec_u
            } else {
                &mut self.rec_v
            };
            for dy in 0..8 {
                let y = row * 8 + dy;
                let s0 = (y + crate::CPAD) * c0st + crate::CPAD + x0 * 8;
                let s1 = (y + crate::CPAD) * c1st + crate::CPAD + x0 * 8;
                let d = y * self.ccw + x0 * 8;
                // WIN: this bi-average was a scalar byte loop; `pixel_avg` computes
                // (a + b + 1) >> 1 exactly with pavgb, and the row helper walks the
                // span in kernel-legal widths.
                rusty_h264_common::inter::avg_row_into(
                    &rc0[s0..s0 + wc],
                    &rc1[s1..s1 + wc],
                    wc,
                    &mut plane[d..d + wc],
                );
            }
        }
    }

    /// Full-pel offset copy band from ONE list's padded planes. The caller
    /// prevalidated (per MB, at push): mv%8 == 0 both components and luma +
    /// chroma windows inside the padded planes — contiguous MB windows tile,
    /// so the span's union window is valid by induction.
    #[allow(clippy::too_many_arguments)]
    fn bz_recon_band_copy(
        &mut self,
        row: usize,
        x0: usize,
        n: usize,
        list: usize,
        ri: usize,
        mv: (i32, i32),
    ) {
        let Some(rf) = (if list == 0 {
            self.refs.get(ri)
        } else {
            self.refs1.get(ri)
        }) else {
            return;
        };
        let lst = rf.lstride();
        let (dx, dy) = ((mv.0 / 4) as isize, (mv.1 / 4) as isize);
        let w = n * 16;
        {
            let _g = rusty_h264_common::prof::scope(rusty_h264_common::prof::Stage::SkipRecon);
            let ly = rf.luma_guard(rf.ch);
            for r in 0..16 {
                let y = (row * 16 + r) as isize + dy;
                let src = ((y + crate::LPAD as isize) * lst as isize
                    + crate::LPAD as isize
                    + x0 as isize * 16
                    + dx) as usize;
                let d = (row * 16 + r) * self.cw + x0 * 16;
                self.rec_y[d..d + w].copy_from_slice(&ly[src..src + w]);
            }
        }
        let cst = rf.cstride();
        let (cdx, cdy) = ((mv.0 / 8) as isize, (mv.1 / 8) as isize);
        let wc = n * 8;
        for c in 0..2 {
            let rc = rf.chroma_guard(c, rf.ch);
            let plane = if c == 0 {
                &mut self.rec_u
            } else {
                &mut self.rec_v
            };
            for r in 0..8 {
                let y = (row * 8 + r) as isize + cdy;
                let src = ((y + crate::CPAD as isize) * cst as isize
                    + crate::CPAD as isize
                    + x0 as isize * 8
                    + cdx) as usize;
                let d = (row * 8 + r) * self.ccw + x0 * 8;
                plane[d..d + wc].copy_from_slice(&rc[src..src + wc]);
            }
        }
    }

    /// Full-pel bi band: rows of 16n averaged from two offset windows
    /// (prevalidated as above; implicit weights None/(32,32) guaranteed by
    /// the pushing arm).
    #[allow(clippy::too_many_arguments)]
    fn bz_recon_band_fp_bi(
        &mut self,
        row: usize,
        x0: usize,
        n: usize,
        r0: usize,
        r1: usize,
        mv0: (i32, i32),
        mv1: (i32, i32),
    ) {
        let (Some(rf0), Some(rf1)) = (self.refs.get(r0), self.refs1.get(r1)) else {
            return;
        };
        let (l0, l1) = (rf0.lstride(), rf1.lstride());
        let off = |st: usize, pad: isize, yy: isize, xx: isize| {
            (((yy + pad) * st as isize) + pad + xx) as usize
        };
        let w = n * 16;
        {
            let _g = rusty_h264_common::prof::scope(rusty_h264_common::prof::Stage::SkipRecon);
            let (ly0, ly1) = (rf0.luma_guard(rf0.ch), rf1.luma_guard(rf1.ch));
            for r in 0..16 {
                let y = (row * 16 + r) as isize;
                let s0 = off(
                    l0,
                    crate::LPAD as isize,
                    y + (mv0.1 / 4) as isize,
                    x0 as isize * 16 + (mv0.0 / 4) as isize,
                );
                let s1 = off(
                    l1,
                    crate::LPAD as isize,
                    y + (mv1.1 / 4) as isize,
                    x0 as isize * 16 + (mv1.0 / 4) as isize,
                );
                let d = (row * 16 + r) * self.cw + x0 * 16;
                // WIN: this bi-average was a scalar byte loop; `pixel_avg` computes
                // (a + b + 1) >> 1 exactly with pavgb, and the row helper walks the
                // span in kernel-legal widths.
                rusty_h264_common::inter::avg_row_into(
                    &ly0[s0..s0 + w],
                    &ly1[s1..s1 + w],
                    w,
                    &mut self.rec_y[d..d + w],
                );
            }
        }
        let (c0, c1) = (rf0.cstride(), rf1.cstride());
        let wc = n * 8;
        for c in 0..2 {
            let rc0 = rf0.chroma_guard(c, rf0.ch);
            let rc1 = rf1.chroma_guard(c, rf1.ch);
            let plane = if c == 0 {
                &mut self.rec_u
            } else {
                &mut self.rec_v
            };
            for r in 0..8 {
                let y = (row * 8 + r) as isize;
                let s0 = off(
                    c0,
                    crate::CPAD as isize,
                    y + (mv0.1 / 8) as isize,
                    x0 as isize * 8 + (mv0.0 / 8) as isize,
                );
                let s1 = off(
                    c1,
                    crate::CPAD as isize,
                    y + (mv1.1 / 8) as isize,
                    x0 as isize * 8 + (mv1.0 / 8) as isize,
                );
                let d = (row * 8 + r) * self.ccw + x0 * 8;
                // WIN: this bi-average was a scalar byte loop; `pixel_avg` computes
                // (a + b + 1) >> 1 exactly with pavgb, and the row helper walks the
                // span in kernel-legal widths.
                rusty_h264_common::inter::avg_row_into(
                    &rc0[s0..s0 + wc],
                    &rc1[s1..s1 + wc],
                    wc,
                    &mut plane[d..d + wc],
                );
            }
        }
    }

    /// Per-MB prevalidation for an Fp span push: mv%8 both components (chroma
    /// copies at mv/8) and luma + chroma windows inside the padded planes for
    /// every active list. False ⇒ the arm recons immediately instead.
    fn bz_fp_valid(
        &self,
        mbx: usize,
        mby: usize,
        r0: Option<usize>,
        r1: Option<usize>,
        mv0: (i32, i32),
        mv1: (i32, i32),
    ) -> bool {
        let chk = |rf: &crate::Ref, mv: (i32, i32)| -> bool {
            if mv.0 % 8 != 0 || mv.1 % 8 != 0 {
                return false;
            }
            let lst = rf.lstride();
            let lpad = crate::LPAD as isize;
            let cx = mbx as isize * 16 + (mv.0 / 4) as isize + lpad;
            let cy = mby as isize * 16 + (mv.1 / 4) as isize + lpad;
            let lrows = rf.lrows() as isize;
            if cx < 0 || cx + 16 > lst as isize || cy < 0 || cy + 16 > lrows {
                return false;
            }
            let cst = rf.cstride();
            let cpad = crate::CPAD as isize;
            let ccx = mbx as isize * 8 + (mv.0 / 8) as isize + cpad;
            let ccy = mby as isize * 8 + (mv.1 / 8) as isize + cpad;
            let crows = rf.crows() as isize;
            ccx >= 0 && ccx + 8 <= cst as isize && ccy >= 0 && ccy + 8 <= crows
        };
        r0.is_none_or(|i| self.refs.get(i).is_some_and(|r| chk(r, mv0)))
            && r1.is_none_or(|i| self.refs1.get(i).is_some_and(|r| chk(r, mv1)))
    }

    /// Defer one (0,0) P_Skip's grid commit into the pending P span.
    #[inline]
    fn pz_push(&mut self, mb_x: usize, mb_y: usize, recon: bool) {
        match self.pzspan {
            Some((row, x0, ref mut n, r)) if row == mb_y && x0 + *n == mb_x && r == recon => {
                *n += 1
            }
            _ => {
                self.pz_flush();
                self.pzspan = Some((mb_y, mb_x, 1, recon));
            }
        }
    }

    /// Range-fill the pending P span's grids (the deferral constants of
    /// decode_p_skip's commit: list-0 ref 0, mv (0,0), inter, coded, DC mode,
    /// deblock kind SKIP). Same flush points as the B span (span_flush).
    #[inline(always)]
    fn pz_flush(&mut self) {
        if self.pzspan.is_some() {
            self.pz_flush_slow();
        }
    }

    fn pz_flush_slow(&mut self) {
        let _sg = rusty_h264_common::prof::scope(rusty_h264_common::prof::Stage::BSpanRecon);
        let Some((row, x0, n, recon)) = self.pzspan.take() else {
            return;
        };
        edcstat::bump(&edcstat::PZ_SPANS, 1);
        edcstat::bump(&edcstat::PZ_SPAN_MBS, n as u64);
        let w4 = self.mb_w * 4;
        let (b0, len) = (x0 * 4, n * 4);
        for dy in 0..4 {
            let a = (row * 4 + dy) * w4 + b0;
            self.mv_y[a..a + len].fill((0, 0));
            self.inter_y[a..a + len].fill(true);
            self.ref_idx_y[a..a + len].fill(0);
            self.coded_y[a..a + len].fill(true);
            self.modes_y[a..a + len].fill(2);
        }
        self.mb_kind[row * self.mb_w + x0..row * self.mb_w + x0 + n]
            .fill(rusty_h264_common::deblock::MB_KIND_SKIP);
        if recon {
            // The recon deferred with the commit: one band copy from ref[0]
            // replaces n queued EdcJob::Skip pushes AND the flush-time
            // run-coalescing scan that used to rediscover this very run.
            self.recon_p_skip_band(x0, row, n);
        }
    }

    /// Flush BOTH pending grid spans — the one call every grid reader makes.
    #[inline]
    fn span_flush(&mut self) {
        self.bz_flush();
        self.pz_flush();
    }

    /// Hot prefix of decode_b_skip: the FORCED zero-bi run continuation,
    /// small enough to inline into the slice loops. Returns true when the MB
    /// was fully handled (deferred into the span); false falls to the cold
    /// body. Exactly the forced arm's conditions — no behavior change.
    #[inline(always)]
    fn b_skip_hot(&mut self, mb_x: usize, mb_y: usize) -> bool {
        if !self.direct_spatial || self.edc_tx.is_some() || no_bskipfast() {
            return false;
        }
        let mbw = self.mb_w;
        let addr = mb_y * mbw + mb_x;
        // ONE slice that ENDS at `addr` proves all three neighbour reads. Each
        // was a separate check against the whole `bzero` grid even though every
        // index is strictly below `addr` (the guards above establish that), and
        // the trailing `bzero[addr] = true` a fourth. `get(..=addr)` states the
        // bound once, in the form the neighbour indexes are already inside.
        // The `get(..=addr)` slice did NOT fold these: it bounds the reads from
        // above, but LLVM still has to chain `mb_x > 0 => addr >= 1` and
        // `mb_y > 0 => addr >= mbw` through the `&&` sequence, and it will not.
        // Fallible reads state each one where it is made; a missing neighbour is
        // "not zero", which is the conservative answer this guard wants.
        let up = addr.wrapping_sub(mbw);
        if !(mb_x > 0
            && mb_y > 0
            && mb_x + 1 < mbw
            && up >= self.slice_first_mb
            && self.bzero.get(addr - 1).copied().unwrap_or(false)
            && self.bzero.get(up).copied().unwrap_or(false)
            && self.bzero.get(up + 1).copied().unwrap_or(false))
        {
            return false;
        }
        let wgt = self.iw00();
        if !(wgt.is_none() || wgt == Some((32, 32))) {
            return false;
        }
        self.route_skip_mbs += 1;
        edcstat::bump(&edcstat::BSKB_FORCED, 1);
        let _sg = rusty_h264_common::prof::scope(rusty_h264_common::prof::Stage::BSkipHot);
        edcstat::bump(&edcstat::BSKB_FAST, 1);
        self.bz_push(mb_x, mb_y, BzKind::ZeroBi);
        if let Some(b) = self.bzero.get_mut(addr) {
            *b = true;
        }
        true
    }

    /// Zero this macroblock's 16 luma nnz entries, walking rows by adding `w4`
    /// instead of recomputing `(mb_y * 4 + dy) * w4 + mb_x * 4` four times.
    /// Shared by the three sites in decode_b_skip that had it open-coded.
    #[inline]
    fn clear_mb_nnz(&mut self, mb_x: usize, mb_y: usize, w4: usize) {
        let mut a = (mb_y * 4) * w4 + mb_x * 4;
        for _ in 0..4 {
            self.nnz_y[a..a + 4].fill(0);
            a += w4;
        }
    }

    /// The B_Skip SLOW half: full spatial-direct recon plus the zero-residual
    /// plane copy. Split out so `pred_y`/`c_pred` (384 B) are built ONLY when a
    /// macroblock actually reaches it — the zero-bi / zero-uni / full-pel fast
    /// paths in decode_b_skip all return before this, and on LIGHT streams they
    /// take 90%+ of the calls.
    fn b_skip_slow(
        &mut self,
        mb_x: usize,
        mb_y: usize,
        nbrs: Option<([MvNeighbor; 3], [MvNeighbor; 3])>,
        w4: usize,
    ) -> Result<(), MbError> {
        let mut pred_y = [0u8; 256];
        let mut c_pred = [[0u8; 64]; 2];
        match nbrs {
            // Reuses the already-probed neighbours — the grid walk is the
            // expensive half of the derivation and paying it twice leaned on
            // fall-through-heavy streams (stockholm).
            Some((n0, n1)) => {
                self.decode_b_direct_n(mb_x, mb_y, 0, 0, 16, 16, &mut pred_y, &mut c_pred, n0, n1)
            }
            None => self.decode_b_direct(mb_x, mb_y, 0, 0, 16, 16, &mut pred_y, &mut c_pred),
        }
        if let Some(regions) = self.edc_regions.take() {
            // nnz clears are PARSE state; the pixel copy is the worker's.
            self.clear_mb_nnz(mb_x, mb_y, w4);
            self.edc_giveback();
            self.edc_send_job(EdcJob::BSkip {
                mbx: mb_x,
                mby: mb_y,
                regions,
            });
            return Ok(());
        }
        // Zero residual: the prediction IS the reconstruction — copy it row-wise,
        // stepping the destination by the stride rather than multiplying per row.
        let mut d = (mb_y * 16) * self.cw + mb_x * 16;
        for dy in 0..16 {
            self.rec_y[d..d + 16].copy_from_slice(&pred_y[dy * 16..dy * 16 + 16]);
            d += self.cw;
        }
        let (ccw, cx0) = (self.ccw, mb_x * 8);
        for c in 0..2 {
            let plane = if c == 0 {
                &mut self.rec_u
            } else {
                &mut self.rec_v
            };
            let mut d = (mb_y * 8) * ccw + cx0;
            for dy in 0..8 {
                plane[d..d + 8].copy_from_slice(&c_pred[c][dy * 8..dy * 8 + 8]);
                d += ccw;
            }
        }
        // nnz stays 0 (no residual) — clear the grids for neighbour context.
        self.clear_mb_nnz(mb_x, mb_y, w4);
        Ok(())
    }

    fn decode_b_skip(&mut self, mb_x: usize, mb_y: usize) -> Result<(), MbError> {
        let _sg = rusty_h264_common::prof::scope(rusty_h264_common::prof::Stage::BSkipCold);
        self.route_skip_mbs += 1;
        self.wait_refs_for_mb(mb_y);
        // Each list length read ONCE: the emptiness test and every later
        // `len() - 1` clamp (six reads in all) come from these two.
        let (nref0, nref1) = (self.refs.len(), self.refs1.len());
        if nref0 == 0 || nref1 == 0 {
            return Err(MbError::Unsupported("B without references"));
        }
        let (lref0, lref1) = (nref0 - 1, nref1 - 1);
        let mbw = self.mb_w;
        let addr = mb_y * mbw + mb_x;
        let w4 = mbw * 4;
        // ZERO-BI FAST PATH: when spatial direct derives (0,0)/(0,0) bi motion,
        // colZeroFlag is IRRELEVANT (it only zeroes MVs that are already zero),
        // so the colocated probing, region split, b_mc staging and the pred
        // round-trip all collapse into one fused row-average from the two
        // padded refs straight into the recon planes. b_mc's bi blend applies
        // only IMPLICIT weights, so `None` or (32,32) (both exactly
        // (a+b+1)>>1) is the whole identity condition. FourPeople-class LIGHT
        // streams put 90%+ of their B_Skips here (BSK_ZBI counter).
        // pred_y / c_pred now live in `b_skip_slow` — see there.
        if self.direct_spatial && self.edc_tx.is_none() && !no_bskipfast() {
            // (The FORCED zero-bi run continuation lives in b_skip_hot, inlined
            // at the loop call sites — this cold body only sees non-forced MBs.)
            // A pending span can only occupy the LEFT gather position, and the
            // left member's committed grid values are fully determined by the
            // span KIND — synthesize them instead of flushing, for EVERY kind
            // (the same mapping bz_flush writes).
            let patch = match self.bzspan {
                Some((r, x0, n, k)) if r == mb_y && x0 + n == mb_x => Some(k),
                _ => None,
            };
            if patch.is_none() {
                self.bz_flush();
            }
            let (mut n0, mut n1) = self.b_direct_nbrs(mb_x, mb_y);
            if let Some(k) = patch {
                let (r0, r1, m0, m1): (i32, i32, (i32, i32), (i32, i32)) = match k {
                    BzKind::ZeroBi => (0, 0, (0, 0), (0, 0)),
                    BzKind::ZeroUni(0, ri) => (ri as i32, -1, (0, 0), (0, 0)),
                    BzKind::ZeroUni(_, ri) => (-1, ri as i32, (0, 0), (0, 0)),
                    BzKind::Fp { r0, r1, m0, m1 } => {
                        let mm0 = if r0 >= 0 {
                            (m0.0 as i32, m0.1 as i32)
                        } else {
                            (0, 0)
                        };
                        let mm1 = if r1 >= 0 {
                            (m1.0 as i32, m1.1 as i32)
                        } else {
                            (0, 0)
                        };
                        (r0 as i32, r1 as i32, mm0, mm1)
                    }
                };
                n0[0] = MvNeighbor {
                    available: true,
                    mv: m0,
                    ref_idx: r0,
                };
                n1[0] = MvNeighbor {
                    available: true,
                    mv: m1,
                    ref_idx: r1,
                };
            }
            let (refi0, refi1, mv0, mv1, _dz) = Self::b_direct_refs_mvs(&n0, &n1);
            let (a0, a1) = (refi0 >= 0, refi1 >= 0);
            let fast = if a0 && a1 && mv0 == (0, 0) && mv1 == (0, 0) {
                // Same malformed-stream ref clamp as b_mc.
                let r0 = (refi0 as usize).min(lref0);
                let r1 = (refi1 as usize).min(lref1);
                // (0,0) dominates here and is already cached slice-wide by iw00.
                let wgt = if r0 == 0 && r1 == 0 {
                    self.iw00()
                } else {
                    self.implicit_weights(r0 as i32, r1 as i32)
                };
                if wgt.is_none() || wgt == Some((32, 32)) {
                    if refi0 == 0 && refi1 == 0 {
                        if let Some(b) = self.bzero.get_mut(addr) {
                            *b = true;
                        }
                        // Same constants as the forced arm: recon AND commit
                        // both defer into the span.
                        self.bz_push(mb_x, mb_y, BzKind::ZeroBi);
                        edcstat::bump(&edcstat::BSKB_FAST, 1);
                        return Ok(());
                    }
                    self.recon_b_skip_zero_bi(mb_x, mb_y, r0, r1);
                    true
                } else {
                    false
                }
            } else if a0 != a1 && (if a0 { mv0 } else { mv1 }) == (0, 0) {
                // ZERO-UNI: one active list at (0,0) — b_mc's uni arms are plain
                // unweighted copies. Defer as a memcpy-band span.
                let (list, ri) = if a0 {
                    (0u8, (refi0 as usize).min(lref0) as u8)
                } else {
                    (1u8, (refi1 as usize).min(lref1) as u8)
                };
                self.bz_push(mb_x, mb_y, BzKind::ZeroUni(list, ri));
                edcstat::bump(&edcstat::BSKB_FAST, 1);
                return Ok(());
            } else if (!a0 || (mv0.0 % 4 == 0 && mv0.1 % 4 == 0))
                && (!a1 || (mv1.0 % 4 == 0 && mv1.1 % 4 == 0))
                && self.direct_8x8_inference
            {
                // FULL-PEL arm (the pan case — shields): nonzero MVs make
                // colZeroFlag matter, so probe the four 8x8 corners; a UNIFORM
                // czg keeps the MB one region and the MC is an offset read.
                // Non-uniform czg or an out-of-pad window falls through.
                let mut cz_ok = true;
                let mut czv = false;
                // Same cz-relevance gate as decode_b_direct_n: only a ref-0
                // list with a nonzero MV can be changed by colZeroFlag (fp-arm
                // MVs are nonzero by construction, so refs alone decide).
                let cz_need = refi0 == 0 || refi1 == 0;
                // LOOP-INVARIANT: this gated a `break` INSIDE the probe loop, so
                // a fact known before the loop was re-tested on every probe.
                if cz_need {
                    // Absolute block base, hoisted out of the four probes.
                    let (bx4, by4) = (mb_x * 4, mb_y * 4);
                    for (k, &(ox, oy)) in [(0usize, 0usize), (2, 0), (0, 2), (2, 2)]
                        .iter()
                        .enumerate()
                    {
                        // col_block takes MB-LOCAL block coords (the whole MB is
                        // the region here); col_zero takes absolute — same
                        // convention as decode_b_direct_n's probe loop.
                        let (colx, coly) = self.col_block(ox, oy);
                        let cz = self.col_zero(bx4 + colx, by4 + coly);
                        if k == 0 {
                            czv = cz;
                        } else if cz != czv {
                            cz_ok = false;
                            break;
                        }
                    }
                }
                if cz_ok {
                    let m0 = if refi0 == 0 && czv { (0, 0) } else { mv0 };
                    let m1 = if refi1 == 0 && czv { (0, 0) } else { mv1 };
                    let r0c = (refi0 as usize).min(lref0);
                    let r1c = (refi1 as usize).min(lref1);
                    let (or0, or1) = (a0.then_some(r0c), a1.then_some(r1c));
                    let wgt_ok = !(a0 && a1) || {
                        let wgt = self.implicit_weights(r0c as i32, r1c as i32);
                        wgt.is_none() || wgt == Some((32, 32))
                    };
                    // SPAN path: prevalidated windows + %8 chroma ⇒ defer as
                    // an offset copy/avg band; otherwise the immediate per-MB
                    // recon below (which handles interpolating chroma).
                    if wgt_ok && self.bz_fp_valid(mb_x, mb_y, or0, or1, m0, m1) {
                        let kind = BzKind::Fp {
                            r0: if a0 { r0c as i8 } else { -1 },
                            r1: if a1 { r1c as i8 } else { -1 },
                            m0: (m0.0 as i16, m0.1 as i16),
                            m1: (m1.0 as i16, m1.1 as i16),
                        };
                        self.bz_push(mb_x, mb_y, kind);
                        edcstat::bump(&edcstat::BSKB_FP, 1);
                        return Ok(());
                    }
                    let ok = wgt_ok && self.recon_b_skip_fp(mb_x, mb_y, or0, or1, m0, m1);
                    if ok {
                        edcstat::bump(&edcstat::BSKB_FP, 1);
                        self.b_set_motion(mb_x, mb_y, 0, 0, 16, 16, refi0, m0, refi1, m1);
                        self.clear_mb_nnz(mb_x, mb_y, w4);
                        return Ok(());
                    }
                }
                false
            } else {
                false
            };
            if fast {
                edcstat::bump(&edcstat::BSKB_FAST, 1);
                self.b_set_motion(mb_x, mb_y, 0, 0, 16, 16, refi0, (0, 0), refi1, (0, 0));
                self.clear_mb_nnz(mb_x, mb_y, w4);
                return Ok(());
            }
            // Fall-through hands the ALREADY-probed neighbours to the slow
            // half so the grid walk is not paid twice.
            return self.b_skip_slow(mb_x, mb_y, Some((n0, n1)), w4);
        } else {
            if self.edc_tx.is_some() {
                self.edc_regions = Some(Vec::with_capacity(4));
            }
            return self.b_skip_slow(mb_x, mb_y, None, w4);
        }
    }

    /// Reconstructs a B macroblock (spec Table 7-14): direct, L0/L1/Bi partitions,
    /// `B_8x8`, or intra.
    fn decode_b_mb(&mut self, r: &mut BitReader, mb_x: usize, mb_y: usize) -> Result<(), MbError> {
        // Non-skip B MBs gather neighbor motion/modes — flush any deferred
        // spans before those grids are read.
        self.span_flush();
        self.wait_refs_for_mb(mb_y);
        let mb_type = r.read_ue()?;
        if mb_type >= 23 {
            return self.decode_intra_mb(r, mb_x, mb_y, mb_type - 23);
        }
        if self.refs.is_empty() || self.refs1.is_empty() {
            return Err(MbError::Unsupported("B without references"));
        }
        let mut pred_y = [0u8; 256];
        let mut c_pred = [[0u8; 64]; 2];

        if mb_type == 0 {
            // B_Direct_16x16 — 8×8 transform allowed only with direct_8x8_inference.
            // FORCED derivation via the zero-bi bitmap (CAVLC parity with the
            // CABAC direct arm): gather + rid/median skipped, chains extended.
            let addr_f = mb_y * self.mb_w + mb_x;
            let forced = self.direct_spatial
                && self.edc_tx.is_none()
                && mb_x > 0
                && mb_y > 0
                && mb_x + 1 < self.mb_w
                && addr_f - self.mb_w >= self.slice_first_mb
                && self.bzero.get(addr_f - 1).copied().unwrap_or(false)
                && self
                    .bzero
                    .get(addr_f.wrapping_sub(self.mb_w))
                    .copied()
                    .unwrap_or(false)
                && self
                    .bzero
                    .get(addr_f.wrapping_sub(self.mb_w) + 1)
                    .copied()
                    .unwrap_or(false);
            if forced {
                self.b_direct_region(
                    mb_x,
                    mb_y,
                    0,
                    0,
                    16,
                    16,
                    &mut pred_y,
                    &mut c_pred,
                    (0, 0, (0, 0), (0, 0), false),
                );
                if let Some(b) = self.bzero.get_mut(addr_f) {
                    *b = true;
                }
            } else {
                self.decode_b_direct(mb_x, mb_y, 0, 0, 16, 16, &mut pred_y, &mut c_pred);
            }
            return self.inter_finish(
                r,
                mb_x,
                mb_y,
                &pred_y,
                &c_pred,
                self.direct_8x8_inference,
                false,
            );
        }
        if mb_type == 22 {
            return self.decode_b_8x8(r, mb_x, mb_y);
        }

        // 16x16 / 16x8 / 8x16 partitions with per-partition L0/L1/Bi.
        let (layout, mvmode, preds) = b_inter_layout(mb_type);
        // mb_pred order: ref_idx_l0 (all L0 parts), ref_idx_l1, mvd_l0, mvd_l1.
        let mut refi = [[-1i32; 2]; 2]; // [part][list]
        for (p, &(_, _, _, _)) in layout.iter().enumerate() {
            if preds[p & 1].uses(0) {
                refi[p][0] = self.read_b_ref(r, 0)?;
            }
        }
        for (p, _) in layout.iter().enumerate() {
            if preds[p & 1].uses(1) {
                refi[p][1] = self.read_b_ref(r, 1)?;
            }
        }
        let mut mvd = [[(0i32, 0i32); 2]; 2];
        for (p, _) in layout.iter().enumerate() {
            if preds[p & 1].uses(0) {
                mvd[p][0] = (read_mvd(r)?, read_mvd(r)?);
            }
        }
        for (p, _) in layout.iter().enumerate() {
            if preds[p & 1].uses(1) {
                mvd[p][1] = (read_mvd(r)?, read_mvd(r)?);
            }
        }
        // Per partition: predict + commit each list's MV, then motion-compensate.
        for (p, &(rx, ry, rw, rh)) in layout.iter().enumerate() {
            let (pbx, pby) = ((mb_x * 4 + rx / 4) as isize, (mb_y * 4 + ry / 4) as isize);
            let pwb = (rw / 4) as isize;
            let mut mv = [(0i32, 0i32); 2];
            for list in 0..2 {
                if refi[p][list] >= 0 {
                    let n = self.mv_neighbors_list(pbx, pby, pwb, list);
                    let pmv = predict_partition_mv(mvmode, p, n[0], n[1], n[2], refi[p][list]);
                    mv[list] = (pmv.0 + mvd[p][list].0, pmv.1 + mvd[p][list].1);
                }
            }
            self.b_set_motion(
                mb_x,
                mb_y,
                rx,
                ry,
                rw,
                rh,
                refi[p & 3][0],
                mv[0],
                refi[p & 3][1],
                mv[1],
            );
            // Spec-correct bi-prediction (average of L0 and L1), matching the CABAC
            // path. This used to replicate an openh264 bug for a Bi 16x8/8x16
            // partition -- openh264 mis-handles the destination buffer there, so
            // partition 0 came out List-1-only and partition 1 List-0-only. That was
            // deliberate when openh264's h264dec WAS the conformance oracle, but the
            // gate is ffmpeg now and the CABAC path already went spec-correct; the
            // CAVLC path was simply left behind. Measured: mb_type 12..21 (every B
            // 16x8/8x16 with at least one Bi partition) were 100% wrong vs ffmpeg,
            // while 1..11 (no Bi partition) were only collaterally damaged.
            self.b_mc_or_record(
                mb_x,
                mb_y,
                rx,
                ry,
                rw,
                rh,
                refi[p & 3][0],
                mv[0],
                refi[p & 3][1],
                mv[1],
                &mut pred_y,
                &mut c_pred,
            );
        }
        self.inter_finish(r, mb_x, mb_y, &pred_y, &c_pred, true, false)
    }

    /// Reconstructs a `B_8x8` macroblock: four 8×8 sub-macroblock partitions, each
    /// direct or L0/L1/Bi with its own sub-partitioning (spec Table 7-18).
    fn decode_b_8x8(&mut self, r: &mut BitReader, mb_x: usize, mb_y: usize) -> Result<(), MbError> {
        let mut sub = [0u32; 4];
        for s in sub.iter_mut() {
            let v = r.read_ue()?;
            if v > 12 {
                return Err(MbError::Unsupported("invalid B sub_mb_type"));
            }
            *s = v;
        }
        let mut pred_y = [0u8; 256];
        let mut c_pred = [[0u8; 64]; 2];
        // ref_idx for all 8×8 partitions (L0 batch, then L1 batch), for the
        // non-direct sub-partitions.
        let mut refi = [[-1i32; 2]; 4];
        for (p, &st) in sub.iter().enumerate() {
            if st != 0 && b_sub_uses(st, 0) {
                refi[p][0] = self.read_b_ref(r, 0)?;
            }
        }
        for (p, &st) in sub.iter().enumerate() {
            if st != 0 && b_sub_uses(st, 1) {
                refi[p][1] = self.read_b_ref(r, 1)?;
            }
        }
        // mvd: all mvd_l0 (partition-major, sub-partition order), then all mvd_l1.
        //
        // FIXED ARRAYS, NOT `Vec::new()` + push. These are per-MACROBLOCK on every
        // B_8x8, and a growing Vec allocated (and reallocated) twice per MB — on a
        // B-heavy stream that is thousands of allocations per frame for data whose
        // maximum size is a compile-time constant: 4 partitions x at most 4
        // sub-partitions = 16 entries. Indexing a fixed array cannot exceed that, and
        // an out-of-range index would panic rather than misbehave, so the bound is
        // enforced either way and this crate stays forbid(unsafe).
        const MAX_MVD: usize = 16;
        let mut mvd0 = [(0i32, 0i32); MAX_MVD];
        let mut mvd1 = [(0i32, 0i32); MAX_MVD];
        let (mut n0, mut n1) = (0usize, 0usize);
        for &st in &sub {
            if st != 0 && b_sub_uses(st, 0) {
                for _ in b_sub_parts(st) {
                    mvd0[n0] = (read_mvd(r)?, read_mvd(r)?);
                    n0 += 1;
                }
            }
        }
        for &st in &sub {
            if st != 0 && b_sub_uses(st, 1) {
                for _ in b_sub_parts(st) {
                    mvd1[n1] = (read_mvd(r)?, read_mvd(r)?);
                    n1 += 1;
                }
            }
        }
        // Decode each 8×8 partition.
        // Spatial-direct A/B/C are MB-level — walk once if any sub is direct.
        // `dmemo=0` rewalks every direct 8×8 (A/B oracle).
        let hoisted = if self.direct_spatial && direct_memo_on() && sub.iter().any(|&t| t == 0) {
            Some(self.b_direct_nbrs(mb_x, mb_y))
        } else {
            None
        };
        let (mut i0, mut i1) = (0usize, 0usize);
        for (p, &st) in sub.iter().enumerate() {
            let (b8x, b8y) = ((p % 2) * 8, (p / 2) * 8);
            if st == 0 {
                match hoisted {
                    Some((n0, n1)) => self.decode_b_direct_n(
                        mb_x,
                        mb_y,
                        b8x,
                        b8y,
                        8,
                        8,
                        &mut pred_y,
                        &mut c_pred,
                        n0,
                        n1,
                    ),
                    None => {
                        self.decode_b_direct(mb_x, mb_y, b8x, b8y, 8, 8, &mut pred_y, &mut c_pred)
                    }
                }
                continue;
            }
            for &(sx, sy, sw, sh) in b_sub_parts(st) {
                let (px, py) = (b8x + sx, b8y + sy);
                let (pbx, pby) = ((mb_x * 4 + px / 4) as isize, (mb_y * 4 + py / 4) as isize);
                let pwb = (sw / 4) as isize;
                let mut mv = [(0i32, 0i32); 2];
                if b_sub_uses(st, 0) {
                    let n = self.mv_neighbors_list(pbx, pby, pwb, 0);
                    let pmv = predict_mv(n[0], n[1], n[2], refi[p & 3][0]);
                    let d = mvd0[i0 & 15];
                    i0 += 1;
                    mv[0] = (pmv.0 + d.0, pmv.1 + d.1);
                }
                if b_sub_uses(st, 1) {
                    let n = self.mv_neighbors_list(pbx, pby, pwb, 1);
                    let pmv = predict_mv(n[0], n[1], n[2], refi[p & 3][1]);
                    let d = mvd1[i1 & 15];
                    i1 += 1;
                    mv[1] = (pmv.0 + d.0, pmv.1 + d.1);
                }
                self.b_set_motion(
                    mb_x,
                    mb_y,
                    px,
                    py,
                    sw,
                    sh,
                    refi[p & 3][0],
                    mv[0],
                    refi[p & 3][1],
                    mv[1],
                );
                self.b_mc_or_record(
                    mb_x,
                    mb_y,
                    px,
                    py,
                    sw,
                    sh,
                    refi[p & 3][0],
                    mv[0],
                    refi[p & 3][1],
                    mv[1],
                    &mut pred_y,
                    &mut c_pred,
                );
            }
        }
        // noSubMbPartSizeLessThan8x8: each sub-partition must be ≥ 8×8 (direct
        // counts only with the 8×8 inference flag).
        let allow_8x8 = sub.iter().all(|&st| {
            if st == 0 {
                self.direct_8x8_inference
            } else {
                st <= 3
            }
        });
        self.inter_finish(r, mb_x, mb_y, &pred_y, &c_pred, allow_8x8, false)
    }

    /// Reconstructs a `P_8x8` macroblock: four 8×8 sub-macroblock partitions,
    /// each independently split (8×8 / 8×4 / 4×8 / 4×4) with its own motion
    /// vector(s). `ref0` is `P_8x8ref0` (every `ref_idx` forced to 0, not coded).
    fn decode_p8x8(
        &mut self,
        r: &mut BitReader,
        mb_x: usize,
        mb_y: usize,
        ref0: bool,
    ) -> Result<(), MbError> {
        if self.refs.is_empty() {
            return Err(MbError::Unsupported("inter without reference"));
        }
        let w4 = self.mb_w * 4;
        let (ch, cch) = (self.mb_h * 16, self.mb_h * 8);
        let num_refs = self.refs.len();

        // mb_pred order (spec §7.3.5.2): all sub_mb_type, then all ref_idx_l0,
        // then all mvd_l0 (partition-major, sub-partition order within each).
        let mut sub_types = [0u32; 4];
        for st in sub_types.iter_mut() {
            let v = r.read_ue()?;
            if v > 3 {
                return Err(MbError::Unsupported("B-slice / invalid sub_mb_type"));
            }
            *st = v;
        }
        let mut ref_idxs = [0i32; 4];
        if self.num_ref_active > 1 && !ref0 {
            for ri in ref_idxs.iter_mut() {
                *ri = read_ref_idx(r, self.num_ref_active)?;
                if *ri as usize >= num_refs {
                    return Err(MbError::Truncated); // references a non-existent picture
                }
            }
        }

        // Per sub-partition (in decoding order): median MV prediction from the
        // committed neighbor grid, mvd, commit, then motion-compensate. Committing
        // before the next prediction is what lets sub-partitions chain correctly.
        // D14b: P_8x8 defers too. Syncing before it instead cost 9,772 pipeline
        // drains per stream (45 per 1000 MBs, vs CABAC's 3.3) because P_8x8 is
        // common in CAVLC P slices — and the seam measured 1.65-1.97x SLOWER
        // for it. Deferring is byte-identical for sub-partitions: the worker
        // motion-compensates per 4x4 from the committed grids, which is exactly
        // how the CABAC path already handles P_8x8, and a 6-tap filter applied
        // per-4x4 with the same MV gives the same pixels as one 8x8 call.
        let defer = self.edc_tx.is_some() || self.edc_active;

        // ── PHASE 1: PARSE + COMMIT. Must always run to completion. ──────────
        //
        // These two are interleaved BY NECESSITY: each sub-partition's MV
        // prediction reads the grids the previous one committed, so they cannot
        // be separated from each other. But they consume BITSTREAM, so nothing
        // here may ever be skipped conditionally.
        //
        // This phase split is a STRUCTURAL guard, not a tidy-up. When MC lived
        // inside this loop, deferring it was written as a `break` — which also
        // skipped the `read_se` mvd reads, desynced the bitstream, and
        // mis-parsed as a B-slice sub_mb_type on a Baseline stream. It happened
        // to crash; a desync that stayed IN RANGE would have produced plausible
        // garbage instead. With MC in its own pass below, skipping pixel work
        // cannot reach the bitstream at all — the mistake is unavailable.
        let mut regions: [(usize, usize, usize, usize, i32, (i32, i32)); 16] =
            [(0, 0, 0, 0, 0, (0, 0)); 16];
        let mut nreg = 0usize;
        for part in 0..4usize {
            let refi = ref_idxs[part];
            let (b8x, b8y) = ((part % 2) * 8, (part / 2) * 8);
            for &(srx, sry, srw, srh) in sub_mb_partitions(sub_types[part]) {
                let (px, py) = (b8x + srx, b8y + sry);
                let (pbx, pby) = ((mb_x * 4 + px / 4) as isize, (mb_y * 4 + py / 4) as isize);
                let [a, b, c] = self.mv_neighbors_block(pbx, pby, (srw / 4) as isize);
                let pmv = predict_mv(a, b, c, refi);
                let mvd_x = read_mvd(r)?;
                let mvd_y = read_mvd(r)?;
                let mv = (pmv.0 + mvd_x, pmv.1 + mvd_y);
                for by in py / 4..py / 4 + srh / 4 {
                    for bx in px / 4..px / 4 + srw / 4 {
                        let idx = (mb_y * 4 + by) * w4 + (mb_x * 4 + bx);
                        if let (Some(m), Some(it), Some(rf), Some(cd)) = (
                            self.mv_y.get_mut(idx),
                            self.inter_y.get_mut(idx),
                            self.ref_idx_y.get_mut(idx),
                            self.coded_y.get_mut(idx),
                        ) {
                            (*m, *it, *rf, *cd) = (mv, true, refi, true);
                        }
                    }
                }
                regions[nreg & 15] = (px, py, srw, srh, refi, mv);
                nreg += 1;
            }
        }

        // ── PHASE 2: PIXEL WORK ONLY. Reads no bitstream; safe to skip. ──────
        let mut pred_y = [0u8; 256];
        let mut c_pred = [[0u8; 64]; 2];
        if !defer {
            for &(px, py, srw, srh, refi, mv) in &regions[..nreg] {
                let Some(reference) = self.refs.get(refi as usize) else {
                    continue;
                };
                let mut tmp = [0u8; 256];
                mc_luma_padded(
                    &*reference.luma_guard(reference.ch),
                    reference.lstride(),
                    crate::LPAD,
                    self.cw,
                    ch,
                    mb_x * 16 + px,
                    mb_y * 16 + py,
                    srw,
                    srh,
                    mv.0,
                    mv.1,
                    &mut tmp,
                );
                restride(&mut pred_y, 16, px, py, &tmp, srw, srh);
                let (crx, cry, crw, crh) = (px / 2, py / 2, srw / 2, srh / 2);
                for cc in 0..2 {
                    let rc = if cc == 0 {
                        &*reference.chroma_guard(0, reference.ch)
                    } else {
                        &*reference.chroma_guard(1, reference.ch)
                    };
                    let mut tc = [0u8; 64];
                    mc_chroma_padded(
                        rc,
                        reference.cstride(),
                        crate::CPAD,
                        self.ccw,
                        cch,
                        mb_x * 8 + crx,
                        mb_y * 8 + cry,
                        crw,
                        crh,
                        mv.0,
                        mv.1,
                        &mut tc,
                    );
                    restride(&mut c_pred[cc], 8, crx, cry, &tc, crw, crh);
                }
                self.weight_partition(&mut pred_y, &mut c_pred, 0, refi as usize, px, py, srw, srh);
            }
        }

        // P_8x8 allows the 8×8 transform only when every sub-partition is 8×8.
        let allow_8x8 = sub_types.iter().all(|&t| t == 0);
        self.inter_finish(r, mb_x, mb_y, &pred_y, &c_pred, allow_8x8, defer)
    }

    /// Reconstructs a `P_Skip` macroblock: motion-compensate from the reference
    /// at the skip MV, with no residual.
    /// Records a B MC region (threaded mode) or executes it inline — the SAME
    /// arguments as `b_mc`; the recorded arm resolves the implicit weights at
    /// parse time (identical function, parse-side data).
    #[allow(clippy::too_many_arguments)]
    fn b_mc_or_record(
        &mut self,
        mb_x: usize,
        mb_y: usize,
        px: usize,
        py: usize,
        rw: usize,
        rh: usize,
        refi0: i32,
        mv0: (i32, i32),
        refi1: i32,
        mv1: (i32, i32),
        pred_y: &mut [u8; 256],
        c_pred: &mut [[u8; 64]; 2],
    ) {
        if self.edc_regions.is_some() {
            // Mirror `b_mc`'s malformed-stream armor EXACTLY before touching the
            // ref lists: the inline path clamps the indices and bails on empty
            // lists BEFORE computing weights; calling `implicit_weights` with the
            // raw indices re-introduced the panic the armor exists to prevent
            // (found by the fuzzer, via the unwind-guard that turned the
            // resulting worker deadlock back into a diagnosable failure).
            let cr0 = if refi0 >= 0 {
                (refi0 as usize).min(self.refs.len().saturating_sub(1)) as i32
            } else {
                -1
            };
            let cr1 = if refi1 >= 0 {
                (refi1 as usize).min(self.refs1.len().saturating_sub(1)) as i32
            } else {
                -1
            };
            let w = if (cr0 >= 0 && self.refs.is_empty()) || (cr1 >= 0 && self.refs1.is_empty()) {
                None // the worker's port returns before reading the weights
            } else {
                self.implicit_weights(cr0, cr1)
            };
            // Cannot bind above: `implicit_weights` needs `&mut self` between the
            // guard and here. The guard already proved this is `Some`, so the
            // `else` is unreachable -- but an unreachable no-op is the correct
            // shape for armor code, not an `unwrap` that can abort a decode.
            if let Some(regions) = self.edc_regions.as_mut() {
                regions.push(BRegion {
                    px,
                    py,
                    rw,
                    rh,
                    refi0,
                    refi1,
                    mv0,
                    mv1,
                    w,
                });
            }
            return;
        }
        self.b_mc(
            mb_x, mb_y, px, py, rw, rh, refi0, mv0, refi1, mv1, pred_y, c_pred,
        );
    }

    /// Builds the worker's owned pixel context from `self` (planes MOVED out,
    /// shared read-only state cloned, filter inputs snapshotted).
    fn edc_take_ctx(&mut self) -> PixelCtx {
        PixelCtx {
            rec_y: core::mem::take(&mut self.rec_y),
            rec_u: core::mem::take(&mut self.rec_u),
            rec_v: core::mem::take(&mut self.rec_v),
            bak_y: core::mem::take(&mut self.bak_y),
            bak_u: core::mem::take(&mut self.bak_u),
            bak_v: core::mem::take(&mut self.bak_v),
            refs: self.refs.clone(),
            refs1: self.refs1.clone(),
            weights: self.weights.clone(),
            weights_l0id: self.weights_l0id,
            scaling: self.scaling,
            scaling8: self.scaling8,
            cw: self.cw,
            ccw: self.ccw,
            mb_w: self.mb_w,
            mb_h: self.mb_h,
            chroma_qp_offset: self.chroma_qp_offset,
            flt_rows: self.flt_rows,
            db_ena: self.db_ena,
            db_oa: self.db_oa,
            db_ob: self.db_ob,
            cur_qp: self.cur_qp,
            qp_grid: self.mb_qp.clone(),
            t8_grid: self.mb_t8x8.clone(),
            bs_store: self.bs_frame.clone(),
            progress: self.progress.clone(),
        }
    }

    /// Restores the planes (and the filter watermark) from a returned context.
    fn edc_restore_ctx(&mut self, ctx: PixelCtx) {
        self.rec_y = ctx.rec_y;
        self.rec_u = ctx.rec_u;
        self.rec_v = ctx.rec_v;
        self.bak_y = ctx.bak_y;
        self.bak_u = ctx.bak_u;
        self.bak_v = ctx.bak_v;
        self.flt_rows = ctx.flt_rows;
    }

    /// Intra macroblocks read neighbour PIXELS: fetch the context from the
    /// worker (which drains all prior jobs first — the channel is FIFO) and
    /// install the planes so the inline intra path runs unchanged. The context
    /// is given back lazily at the next job/row/slice-end (`edc_giveback`), so
    /// consecutive intra macroblocks pay ONE round-trip.
    /// Queue a pixel job for the worker (D10). Batched per row; see `EdcMsg::Batch`.
    #[inline]
    fn edc_send_job(&mut self, job: EdcJob) {
        edcstat::bump(&edcstat::JOBS, 1);
        if !batch_on() {
            self.edc_tx
                .as_ref()
                .unwrap()
                .send(EdcMsg::Job(job))
                .expect("worker alive");
            return;
        }
        self.edc_batch.push(job);
    }

    /// Ship the accumulated row batch. MUST be called before anything that
    /// depends on those jobs having been applied: the row's `Row` filter
    /// message, a `NeedCtx` handover, and slice end.
    fn edc_flush_batch(&mut self) {
        if self.edc_batch.is_empty() {
            return;
        }
        // Replace with a PRE-RESERVED buffer rather than the empty Vec
        // `mem::take` would leave: otherwise each row reallocs and regrows from
        // zero, trading 208k channel sends for ~7 reallocs x 3k rows.
        let cap = self.edc_batch.capacity().max(self.mb_w);
        let jobs = core::mem::replace(&mut self.edc_batch, Vec::with_capacity(cap));
        edcstat::bump(&edcstat::BATCHES, 1);
        self.edc_tx
            .as_ref()
            .unwrap()
            .send(EdcMsg::Batch(jobs))
            .expect("worker alive");
    }

    fn edc_intra_sync(&mut self) {
        if self.edc_tx.is_none() {
            self.edc_flush();
            return;
        }
        if self.edc_parked.is_some() {
            return; // already holding
        }
        // ORDER: drain the batch before taking the planes, or those jobs would
        // be applied to a context the parse thread is concurrently holding.
        self.edc_flush_batch();
        edcstat::bump(&edcstat::NEEDCTX, 1);
        self.edc_tx
            .as_ref()
            .unwrap()
            .send(EdcMsg::NeedCtx)
            .expect("worker alive");
        let mut ctx = self
            .edc_ctx_rx
            .as_ref()
            .unwrap()
            .recv()
            .expect("worker ctx");
        self.rec_y = core::mem::take(&mut ctx.rec_y);
        self.rec_u = core::mem::take(&mut ctx.rec_u);
        self.rec_v = core::mem::take(&mut ctx.rec_v);
        self.bak_y = core::mem::take(&mut ctx.bak_y);
        self.bak_u = core::mem::take(&mut ctx.bak_u);
        self.bak_v = core::mem::take(&mut ctx.bak_v);
        self.flt_rows = ctx.flt_rows;
        self.edc_parked = Some(ctx);
    }

    /// Returns a held context to the worker (inverse of `edc_intra_sync`).
    /// NOTE (D10): this is called per-macroblock on the job paths, so it must
    /// NOT flush the batch — that would undo the batching. It is safe: the
    /// parked state is only ever entered through `edc_intra_sync`, which
    /// flushes before taking the planes, so nothing can be queued-but-unsent
    /// while the parse thread holds them.
    fn edc_giveback(&mut self) {
        if let Some(mut parked) = self.edc_parked.take() {
            parked.rec_y = core::mem::take(&mut self.rec_y);
            parked.rec_u = core::mem::take(&mut self.rec_u);
            parked.rec_v = core::mem::take(&mut self.rec_v);
            parked.bak_y = core::mem::take(&mut self.bak_y);
            parked.bak_u = core::mem::take(&mut self.bak_u);
            parked.bak_v = core::mem::take(&mut self.bak_v);
            parked.flt_rows = self.flt_rows;
            // Fail-soft: on the unwind path the worker may already be gone;
            // dropping the parked context is acceptable there (the planes are
            // lost, but the panic is being propagated anyway).
            let _ = self.edc_back_tx.as_ref().unwrap().send(parked);
        }
    }

    /// Parse-side twin of the nnz/coded grid writes `add_inter_residual` does
    /// inline — the worker's port omits them (they are PARSE state: deblock
    /// derivation and the CAVLC nC contexts read them), so the threaded path
    /// commits them here, from the same parsed counts (their equality with the
    /// recon-side recount is the Part 8 nnz-threading brick's own invariant).
    fn edc_commit_nnz(
        &mut self,
        mbx: usize,
        mby: usize,
        t8: bool,
        nnzs: &[u8; 24],
        cbp_chroma: u32,
    ) {
        // BUILD THE RASTER LOCALLY, THEN COPY ROW-WISE. Both luma arms scattered
        // sixteen individually bounds-checked stores into the frame grid (the t8
        // arm through a 2x2-of-2x2 nest, the other through the z-order scan
        // table); chroma scattered eight more. Assembling the macroblock's own
        // 4x4 raster on the stack first turns that into four contiguous row
        // copies per plane.
        let (w4r, w2r) = (self.mb_w * 4, self.mb_w * 2);
        let mut raster = [0u8; 16];
        if t8 {
            for b8 in 0..4usize {
                let (b8x, b8y) = (b8 % 2, b8 / 2);
                let n = nnzs[b8 * 4];
                for sy in 0..2 {
                    for sx in 0..2 {
                        raster[(b8y * 2 + sy) * 4 + b8x * 2 + sx] = n;
                    }
                }
            }
        } else {
            for (blk, &(lbx, lby)) in LUMA_4X4_SCAN_XY.iter().enumerate() {
                raster[lby * 4 + lbx] = nnzs[blk];
            }
        }
        for by in 0..4usize {
            let a = (mby * 4 + by) * w4r + mbx * 4;
            self.nnz_y[a..a + 4].copy_from_slice(&raster[by * 4..by * 4 + 4]);
        }
        if cbp_chroma == 2 {
            for c in 0..2usize {
                let mut cr = [0u8; 4];
                for &(bx, by) in &CHROMA_4X4_SCAN_XY {
                    cr[by * 2 + bx] = nnzs[(16 + c * 4 + by * 2 + bx).min(23)];
                }
                for by in 0..2usize {
                    let a = (mby * 2 + by) * w2r + mbx * 2;
                    self.nnz_c[c][a..a + 2].copy_from_slice(&cr[by * 2..by * 2 + 2]);
                }
            }
        }
    }

    /// Flush the entropy-decouple job queue: replay every deferred pixel job
    /// in parse order. Called before any intra macroblock (its reconstruction
    /// reads neighbour PIXELS), before row filtering, at B-branch entry, at
    /// slice end, and at `deblock()` as a backstop.
    /// Per-macroblock guard: the B arm calls this once per B MB — the empty
    /// test inlines, the drain body stays outlined.
    /// A job box from the pool (or a fresh one when the pool is empty -- the
    /// first row of a picture, or MT mode where boxes cross to the worker).
    #[inline]
    fn take_pinter_job(&mut self) -> Box<PInterJob> {
        self.edc_job_pool
            .pop()
            .unwrap_or_else(|| Box::new(PInterJob::blank()))
    }

    #[inline]
    fn take_nores_job(&mut self, pj: PInterNoResJob) -> Box<PInterNoResJob> {
        match self.edc_nores_pool.pop() {
            Some(mut b) => {
                *b = pj;
                b
            }
            None => Box::new(pj),
        }
    }

    #[inline(always)]
    fn edc_flush(&mut self) {
        if self.edc_jobs.is_empty() {
            return;
        }
        self.edc_flush_slow();
    }

    fn edc_flush_slow(&mut self) {
        let mut jobs = core::mem::take(&mut self.edc_jobs);
        // Band identity holds unweighted OR under identity weights (the x264
        // weightp=2 common case: a table in every P slice, identity outside fades).
        let band_ok = self.weights.is_none() || self.weights_id0;
        // Measurement: nonzero-MV skips sitting in same-row runs of >=2 EQUAL
        // MVs (the next band candidate). counted_until stops double-counting.
        let mut counted_until = 0usize;
        let mut i = 0usize;
        while i < jobs.len() {
            let j = &jobs[i];
            match j {
                EdcJob::Skip { mbx, mby, mv } => {
                    // mb_skip_run band coalescing: gather the maximal run of
                    // consecutive same-row (0,0)-skips and recon it as ONE
                    // band copy (weighted-P falls back — the copy identity
                    // only holds unweighted).
                    if *mv == (0, 0) && band_ok && !no_skipband() {
                        let (x0, y0) = (*mbx, *mby);
                        let mut n = 1usize;
                        while let Some(EdcJob::Skip {
                            mbx: nx,
                            mby: ny,
                            mv: nmv,
                        }) = jobs.get(i + n)
                        {
                            if *ny == y0 && *nx == x0 + n && *nmv == (0, 0) {
                                n += 1;
                            } else {
                                break;
                            }
                        }
                        self.recon_p_skip_band(x0, y0, n);
                        if double_recon() {
                            edcstat::bump(&edcstat::DOUBLED, n as u64);
                            self.recon_p_skip_band(x0, y0, n);
                        }
                        i += n;
                        continue;
                    }
                    edcstat::bump(&edcstat::SKIP_SINGLES, 1);
                    if *mv != (0, 0) && i >= counted_until && edcstat::on() {
                        let (x0, y0) = (*mbx, *mby);
                        let mut n2 = 1usize;
                        while let Some(EdcJob::Skip {
                            mbx: nx,
                            mby: ny,
                            mv: nmv,
                        }) = jobs.get(i + n2)
                        {
                            if *ny == y0 && *nx == x0 + n2 && nmv == mv {
                                n2 += 1;
                            } else {
                                break;
                            }
                        }
                        if n2 >= 2 {
                            let fp = mv.0 % 4 == 0 && mv.1 % 4 == 0;
                            edcstat::bump(
                                if fp {
                                    &edcstat::PEQ_FP
                                } else {
                                    &edcstat::PEQ_FRAC
                                },
                                n2 as u64,
                            );
                        }
                        counted_until = i + n2;
                    }
                    self.recon_p_skip(*mbx, *mby, *mv);
                    if double_recon() {
                        edcstat::bump(&edcstat::DOUBLED, 1);
                        self.recon_p_skip(*mbx, *mby, *mv);
                    }
                }
                EdcJob::Inter(job) => {
                    self.recon_p_inter(job);
                    if double_recon() {
                        edcstat::bump(&edcstat::DOUBLED, 1);
                        self.recon_p_inter(job);
                    }
                }
                EdcJob::InterNoRes(job) => {
                    // D9b: do NOT to_full() — that memset ~2.5 KB of zeros per MB
                    // then walked add_inter_residual's all-zero path. MC + plane copy.
                    self.recon_p_inter_nores(job);
                    if double_recon() {
                        edcstat::bump(&edcstat::DOUBLED, 1);
                        self.recon_p_inter_nores(job);
                    }
                }
                // B jobs exist only in worker (MT) mode and are never queued
                // here — the single-thread seam keeps B inline. Not reachable
                // from any input (the push sites are gated on `edc_tx`).
                EdcJob::B(_) | EdcJob::BSkip { .. } => unreachable!("B jobs are worker-only"),
            }
            i += 1;
        }
        // RECYCLE the job boxes (was: drop = one `free` per coded inter MB).
        for j in jobs.drain(..) {
            match j {
                EdcJob::Inter(b) => self.edc_job_pool.push(b),
                EdcJob::InterNoRes(b) => self.edc_nores_pool.push(b),
                _ => {}
            }
        }
        // Hand the (now empty) Vec back so its allocation is reused.
        self.edc_jobs = jobs;
    }

    /// Reconstructs one CABAC P inter macroblock from its parse job — the
    /// pixel half of the entropy-decouple seam (docs/entropy-decouple-plan.md
    /// E1). Reads NOTHING from parse state except the frame grids this MB's
    /// parse already committed (its own block MVs/refs, re-gathered below —
    /// stable after commit) and the immutable DPB; called either inline
    /// (seam off / flush disabled) or in-order at a flush point. Byte-
    /// identical to the former inline block by construction: replay order
    /// equals inline order at every pixel-observable point (intra reads, row
    /// filtering) because flushes precede both.
    /// The P-inter reconstruction body, taking its inputs directly rather than
    /// through a `PInterJob`. Split out so the residual planes can be passed as
    /// `Option`s (absent == nothing was parsed) instead of forcing every caller
    /// to own a zeroed copy. NOTE: it re-gathers `gmv`/`gref` from the frame
    /// grids rather than reading the job's copies — those are for the worker,
    /// which must not touch the parse thread's grids.
    #[allow(clippy::too_many_arguments)]
    fn recon_p_inter_parts(
        &mut self,
        mbx: usize,
        mby: usize,
        qp: u8,
        cbp_chroma: u32,
        luma_scan: Option<&[[i32; 16]; 16]>,
        luma8: Option<&[[i32; 64]; 4]>,
        cdc: &[[i32; 4]; 2],
        cac: Option<&[[[i32; 16]; 4]; 2]>,
        nnzs: &[u8; 24],
    ) {
        let mbw = self.mb_w;
        // `add_inter_residual` (and anything under it) reads `self.cur_qp`,
        // which at FLUSH time belongs to a later macroblock — replay must
        // restore this MB's qp. The x264 corpus (near-constant QP) could not
        // see this; the encoder's delta-QP roundtrip stream caught it.
        let saved_qp = self.cur_qp;
        self.cur_qp = qp;
        // ---- Recon: motion-comp (per 4×4 luma / co-located 2×2 chroma using the
        // committed grid MV — the 6-tap/bilinear filter is per-output-pixel, so
        // per-block MC is bit-identical to per-partition MC) + residual add via the
        // SAME reconstruct_4x4 as intra, with the MC output as the prediction.
        let w4r = mbw * 4;
        let mut pred_y = [0u8; 256];
        let mut c_pred = [[0u8; 64]; 2];
        {
            // MC-CALL COALESCING (side-by-side descent, dec target #2): the old
            // loop paid 16 mc_luma(4×4) + 32 mc_chroma(2×2) per MB regardless of
            // partitioning — 48 calls even for a single-MV 16×16 MB, and the
            // per-call glue around 2.4M calls was ~40% of decoding real-world
            // (x264) streams. The 6-tap/bilinear filters are per-output-pixel,
            // so merging blocks with equal (mv, ref) into one wider MC call is
            // BIT-IDENTICAL; the rect ladder mirrors the partition shapes.
            let _ms = rusty_h264_common::prof::scope(rusty_h264_common::prof::Stage::DecMcStage);
            let (rh16, cch) = (self.mb_h * 16, self.mb_h * 8);
            let mut gmv = [(0i32, 0i32); 16];
            let mut gref = [0usize; 16];
            let _gg = rusty_h264_common::prof::scope(rusty_h264_common::prof::Stage::MvGrid);
            let nrefs = self.refs.len() - 1;
            for by in 0..4usize {
                // Row-contiguous: one slice copy for the MVs.
                let row = (mby * 4 + by) * w4r + mbx * 4;
                gmv[by * 4..by * 4 + 4].copy_from_slice(&self.mv_y[row..row + 4]);
                let ridx = &self.ref_idx_y[row..row + 4];
                for bx in 0..4usize {
                    // Per-block reference (multi-ref P): ref_idx_l0 committed to the
                    // grid. Clamp — a corrupt stream can over-range it (never panic).
                    gref[by * 4 + bx] = (ridx[bx].max(0) as usize).min(nrefs);
                }
            }
            drop(_gg);
            // All blocks of the rect (in 4×4-block units) match its top-left?
            let rect_eq = |x4: usize, y4: usize, w4: usize, h4: usize| -> bool {
                let t = y4 * 4 + x4;
                (0..h4).all(|dy| {
                    (0..w4).all(|dx| {
                        let b = ((y4 + dy) * 4 + (x4 + dx)) & 15;
                        gmv[b] == gmv[t] && gref[b] == gref[t]
                    })
                })
            };
            let refs = &self.refs;
            let (cw, ccw) = (self.cw, self.ccw);
            let mc_rect = |x4: usize,
                           y4: usize,
                           w4: usize,
                           h4: usize,
                           pred_y: &mut [u8; 256],
                           c_pred: &mut [[u8; 64]; 2]| {
                let b = y4 * 4 + x4;
                let (mv, gr) = (gmv[b & 15], gref[b & 15]);
                // `gref` holds a reference-list slot; a slot the list
                // does not have means there is nothing to predict from,
                // so the rect is left as it stands.
                let Some(reference) = refs.get(gr) else {
                    return;
                };
                let (w, h) = (w4 * 4, h4 * 4);
                // A FULL-WIDTH rect (w == 16, so x4 == 0) occupies contiguous
                // whole rows of `pred_y` — the MC output layout and the
                // destination layout coincide, so MC writes the prediction
                // buffer DIRECTLY. The staging copy exists only for narrow
                // rects, whose rows really are strided in `pred_y`. This is
                // the diagnosis's "stage-boundary materialization" tax paid
                // by the dominant 16×16/16×8 shapes: 256 B of `t` zeroing
                // plus a 256 B copy per rect, for nothing.
                if w == 16 {
                    rusty_h264_common::inter::with_mc_scratch(|scr| {
                        rusty_h264_common::inter::mc_luma_padded_pre(
                            scr,
                            &*reference.luma_guard(reference.ch),
                            reference.lstride(),
                            crate::LPAD,
                            cw,
                            rh16,
                            mbx * 16,
                            mby * 16 + y4 * 4,
                            w,
                            h,
                            mv.0,
                            mv.1,
                            &mut pred_y[y4 * 64..y4 * 64 + w * h],
                        )
                    });
                } else {
                    let mut t = [0u8; 256];
                    rusty_h264_common::inter::with_mc_scratch(|scr| {
                        rusty_h264_common::inter::mc_luma_padded_pre(
                            scr,
                            &*reference.luma_guard(reference.ch),
                            reference.lstride(),
                            crate::LPAD,
                            cw,
                            rh16,
                            mbx * 16 + x4 * 4,
                            mby * 16 + y4 * 4,
                            w,
                            h,
                            mv.0,
                            mv.1,
                            &mut t[..w * h],
                        )
                    });
                    let _pb =
                        rusty_h264_common::prof::scope(rusty_h264_common::prof::Stage::PredBuf);
                    for dy in 0..h {
                        pred_y[(y4 * 4 + dy) * 16 + x4 * 4..][..w]
                            .copy_from_slice(&t[dy * w..dy * w + w]);
                    }
                }
                let (cw4, ch4) = (w4 * 2, h4 * 2);
                let nc = cw4 * ch4;
                let (gu, gv) = (
                    reference.chroma_guard(0, reference.ch),
                    reference.chroma_guard(1, reference.ch),
                );
                // U+V paired: one setup serves both planes (see
                // mc_chroma_padded_pair). Full-width coincidence:
                // cw4 == 8 rows are contiguous in the 8-wide plane.
                if cw4 == 8 {
                    let [cu, cv] = &mut *c_pred;
                    rusty_h264_common::inter::mc_chroma_padded_pair(
                        &gu,
                        &gv,
                        reference.cstride(),
                        crate::CPAD,
                        ccw,
                        cch,
                        mbx * 8,
                        mby * 8 + y4 * 2,
                        cw4,
                        ch4,
                        mv.0,
                        mv.1,
                        &mut cu[y4 * 16..y4 * 16 + nc],
                        &mut cv[y4 * 16..y4 * 16 + nc],
                    );
                } else {
                    let (mut tu, mut tv) = ([0u8; 64], [0u8; 64]);
                    rusty_h264_common::inter::mc_chroma_padded_pair(
                        &gu,
                        &gv,
                        reference.cstride(),
                        crate::CPAD,
                        ccw,
                        cch,
                        mbx * 8 + x4 * 2,
                        mby * 8 + y4 * 2,
                        cw4,
                        ch4,
                        mv.0,
                        mv.1,
                        &mut tu[..nc],
                        &mut tv[..nc],
                    );
                    let _pb =
                        rusty_h264_common::prof::scope(rusty_h264_common::prof::Stage::PredBuf);
                    for (cc, tc) in [(0usize, &tu), (1, &tv)] {
                        for dy in 0..ch4 {
                            c_pred[cc][(y4 * 2 + dy) * 8 + x4 * 2..][..cw4]
                                .copy_from_slice(&tc[dy * cw4..dy * cw4 + cw4]);
                        }
                    }
                }
            };
            if rect_eq(0, 0, 4, 4) {
                mc_rect(0, 0, 4, 4, &mut pred_y, &mut c_pred);
            } else if rect_eq(0, 0, 4, 2) && rect_eq(0, 2, 4, 2) {
                mc_rect(0, 0, 4, 2, &mut pred_y, &mut c_pred);
                mc_rect(0, 2, 4, 2, &mut pred_y, &mut c_pred);
            } else if rect_eq(0, 0, 2, 4) && rect_eq(2, 0, 2, 4) {
                mc_rect(0, 0, 2, 4, &mut pred_y, &mut c_pred);
                mc_rect(2, 0, 2, 4, &mut pred_y, &mut c_pred);
            } else {
                for q in 0..4usize {
                    let (qx, qy) = ((q % 2) * 2, (q / 2) * 2);
                    if rect_eq(qx, qy, 2, 2) {
                        mc_rect(qx, qy, 2, 2, &mut pred_y, &mut c_pred);
                    } else if rect_eq(qx, qy, 2, 1) && rect_eq(qx, qy + 1, 2, 1) {
                        mc_rect(qx, qy, 2, 1, &mut pred_y, &mut c_pred);
                        mc_rect(qx, qy + 1, 2, 1, &mut pred_y, &mut c_pred);
                    } else if rect_eq(qx, qy, 1, 2) && rect_eq(qx + 1, qy, 1, 2) {
                        mc_rect(qx, qy, 1, 2, &mut pred_y, &mut c_pred);
                        mc_rect(qx + 1, qy, 1, 2, &mut pred_y, &mut c_pred);
                    } else {
                        for j in 0..4usize {
                            mc_rect(qx + (j % 2), qy + (j / 2), 1, 1, &mut pred_y, &mut c_pred);
                        }
                    }
                }
            }
            // EXPLICIT WEIGHTED PREDICTION (spec 8.4.2.3). The CAVLC inter
            // path weights each partition after MC; the MC-call-coalescing
            // rewrite of this CABAC path lost it, and nothing caught that
            // because the effect is invisible unless a stream actually
            // carries non-default weights. x264's `weightp` DUPLICATES a
            // reference and distinguishes the copy ONLY by its weights, so
            // every macroblock picking the weighted index decoded unweighted
            // -- a silent, accumulating luma drift.
            //
            // Applied per 4x4 block rather than per partition: the weight
            // depends solely on the block's reference index, so the two are
            // equivalent, and `gref` already holds it for every block
            // regardless of which rect ladder rung ran.
            if self.weights.is_some() {
                for by in 0..4usize {
                    for bx in 0..4usize {
                        let refi = gref[by * 4 + bx];
                        self.weight_partition(
                            &mut pred_y,
                            &mut c_pred,
                            0,
                            refi,
                            bx * 4,
                            by * 4,
                            4,
                            4,
                        );
                    }
                }
            }
        }
        // Residual add — the SAME helper the B path uses (this inline
        // copy was a duplicate; deduped when the zero-block fast path
        // landed so both paths share it).
        self.add_inter_residual(
            mbx, mby, &pred_y, &c_pred, luma_scan, luma8, cdc, cac, cbp_chroma, nnzs,
        );
        self.cur_qp = saved_qp;
    }

    /// Job-shaped entry point (EDC replay + the `double_recon` A/B knob).
    fn recon_p_inter(&mut self, j: &PInterJob) {
        self.recon_p_inter_parts(
            j.mbx,
            j.mby,
            j.qp,
            j.cbp_chroma,
            Some(&j.luma_scan),
            j.t8.then_some(&j.luma8),
            &j.cdc,
            Some(&j.cac),
            &j.nnzs,
        );
    }

    /// D9b: P inter with `cbp == 0` — MC + plane copy, no coeff memset / residual walk.
    /// Byte-identical to `recon_p_inter` on a zero-residual job: prediction is the recon.
    fn recon_p_inter_nores(&mut self, j: &PInterNoResJob) {
        let w4r = self.mb_w * 4;
        // Parse-side nnz for single-thread EDC flush (MT commits earlier via edc_commit_nnz).
        // ROW FILLS. Both arms touch the same sixteen cells - four contiguous
        // per macroblock row - and wrote them one indexed store at a time (the
        // t8 arm through a 2x2-of-2x2 nest, the other through the z-order scan).
        for by in 0..4usize {
            let r = (j.mby * 4 + by) * w4r + j.mbx * 4;
            self.nnz_y[r..r + 4].fill(0);
            if j.t8 {
                self.coded_y[r..r + 4].fill(true);
            }
        }
        let mut pred_y = [0u8; 256];
        let mut c_pred = [[0u8; 64]; 2];
        // `self.refs.len() - 1` was re-loaded on every one of the sixteen
        // iterations; it is a per-macroblock invariant. Written once, not
        // zeroed-then-filled.
        let nrefs = self.refs.len() - 1;
        let gref: [usize; 16] = core::array::from_fn(|k| (j.gref[k] as usize).min(nrefs));
        coalesce_p_inter_mc(
            &self.refs,
            self.cw,
            self.ccw,
            self.mb_h,
            j.mbx,
            j.mby,
            &j.gmv,
            &gref,
            &mut pred_y,
            &mut c_pred,
        );
        // The identity early-out lives INSIDE `weight_partition`, so an x264
        // stream - which carries a pred_weight_table in EVERY P slice, identity
        // outside fades - still paid sixteen calls per macroblock to be told
        // there was nothing to do. Hoisted to one test.
        if self.weights.is_some() && !self.weights_l0id {
            for by in 0..4usize {
                for bx in 0..4usize {
                    let refi = gref[by * 4 + bx];
                    self.weight_partition(&mut pred_y, &mut c_pred, 0, refi, bx * 4, by * 4, 4, 4);
                }
            }
        }
        // ONE span per plane: the destination is a stack of contiguous runs a
        // fixed stride apart, so the rows share a single bounds check instead of
        // one each (16 + 8 + 8 of them).
        let (cw, ccw) = (self.cw, self.ccw);
        let ybase = (j.mby * 16) * cw + j.mbx * 16;
        let ywin = &mut self.rec_y[ybase..ybase + 15 * cw + 16];
        for dy in 0..16 {
            ywin[dy * cw..dy * cw + 16].copy_from_slice(&pred_y[dy * 16..dy * 16 + 16]);
        }
        let cbase = (j.mby * 8) * ccw + j.mbx * 8;
        for c in 0..2 {
            let plane = if c == 0 {
                &mut self.rec_u
            } else {
                &mut self.rec_v
            };
            let cwin = &mut plane[cbase..cbase + 7 * ccw + 8];
            for dy in 0..8 {
                cwin[dy * ccw..dy * ccw + 8].copy_from_slice(&c_pred[c][dy * 8..dy * 8 + 8]);
            }
        }
    }

    fn decode_p_skip(&mut self, mb_x: usize, mb_y: usize) -> Result<(), MbError> {
        self.route_skip_mbs += 1;
        self.wait_refs_for_mb(mb_y);
        // DEBLOCK CLASS: a P_Skip macroblock carries no coefficients and one
        // (ref, mv) for all 16 blocks, so every internal boundary strength is 0 by
        // §8.7.2.1 and the loop filter needs 9 block loads instead of 24. This is
        // the single highest-value classification: the MB-kind census measures Skip
        // at 36.4% (CAVLC) / 65.0% (main) / 57.8% (high) of real x264 corpora.
        // Written HERE because both the CAVLC and the CABAC slice loops funnel
        // through this one function.
        //
        // Deliberately NOT done for `B_Skip` — its motion is direct-derived and can
        // differ per 4×4 sub-block, so its internal edges can legally reach
        // strength 1. B_Skip stays UNSET and takes the blind path.
        // (kind commit moved into the span/immediate arms below.)
        // P_Skip always references index 0 (the most recent picture). Borrow it —
        // a full-frame `.cloned()` here was ~86% of total decode time (one ~3 MB
        // plane copy per skip MB, thousands per frame).
        if self.refs.is_empty() {
            return Err(MbError::Unsupported("P_Skip without reference"));
        }
        let addr = mb_y * self.mb_w + mb_x;
        // mb_x == 0: the left neighbor is off-frame, so §8.4.1.1's
        // unavailability rule forces (0,0) with no gather at all.
        let mv = if (mb_x == 0 || self.skip_zero_next == addr) && !no_runmv() {
            edcstat::bump(&edcstat::SKIPMV_FORCED, 1);
            (0, 0)
        } else {
            // The gather reads the grids; the pending spans cannot contain
            // this MB's left (a non-forced skip means the previous MB was not
            // a (0,0) committer) — flush both before deriving.
            self.span_flush();
            edcstat::bump(&edcstat::SKIPMV_DERIVED, 1);
            self.skip_mv(mb_x, mb_y)
        };
        self.skip_zero_next = if mv == (0, 0) { addr + 1 } else { usize::MAX };
        // Grid commits are PARSE state — (0,0) skips defer them into the P
        // span (the deferral constants); nonzero-MV skips commit immediately.
        if mv == (0, 0) {
            // Recon defers too when the band identity holds (1T, no/identity
            // weights) — the span flush band-copies instead of queueing jobs.
            let recon = self.edc_tx.is_none() && (self.weights.is_none() || self.weights_id0);
            self.pz_push(mb_x, mb_y, recon);
            if recon {
                return Ok(());
            }
        } else {
            let _g = rusty_h264_common::prof::scope(rusty_h264_common::prof::Stage::SkipRecon);
            if let Some(p) = self.mb_kind.get_mut(mb_y * self.mb_w + mb_x) {
                *p = rusty_h264_common::deblock::MB_KIND_SKIP;
            }
            self.set_mb_mv(mb_x, mb_y, mv, true, 0);
            let w4 = self.mb_w * 4;
            for dy in 0..4 {
                let a = (mb_y * 4 + dy) * w4 + mb_x * 4;
                self.coded_y[a..a + 4].fill(true);
                self.modes_y[a..a + 4].fill(2);
            }
        }
        if self.edc_tx.is_some() {
            self.edc_giveback();
            self.edc_send_job(EdcJob::Skip {
                mbx: mb_x,
                mby: mb_y,
                mv,
            });
            return Ok(());
        }
        if self.edc_active {
            self.edc_jobs.push(EdcJob::Skip {
                mbx: mb_x,
                mby: mb_y,
                mv,
            });
            return Ok(());
        }
        self.recon_p_skip(mb_x, mb_y, mv);
        if double_recon() {
            self.recon_p_skip(mb_x, mb_y, mv);
        }
        Ok(())
    }

    /// Pixel half of P_Skip (see the E1 seam note on `recon_p_inter`).
    /// Run-coalesced P_Skip reconstruction: `n` consecutive skip MBs on one
    /// row, all with `mv == (0,0)` and NO weighted prediction. At full-pel
    /// zero motion, MC is the identity read of `refs[0]` — so the recon is a
    /// straight band copy from the padded reference plane, no staging, no MC
    /// calls. Byte-identical to `n` calls of `recon_p_skip` by construction
    /// (mc_luma_padded/mc_chroma_padded at mv 0 return exactly these bytes).
    ///
    /// The (0,0) run theorem that makes ONE derivation cover the run: once a
    /// skip MB commits (ref 0, mv (0,0)), every later MB of the run derives
    /// (0,0) too — its left neighbour (or a row-start's missing neighbour)
    /// triggers §8.4.1.1's zero-MV rule in `skip_mv`.
    fn recon_p_skip_band(&mut self, mbx0: usize, mby: usize, n: usize) {
        let w = n * 16;
        let Some(rf0) = self.refs.first() else { return };
        let lst = rf0.lstride();
        {
            let _g = rusty_h264_common::prof::scope(rusty_h264_common::prof::Stage::SkipRecon);
            let ly = rf0.luma_guard(rf0.ch);
            for dy in 0..16 {
                let y = mby * 16 + dy;
                let src = (y + crate::LPAD) * lst + crate::LPAD + mbx0 * 16;
                let dst = y * self.cw + mbx0 * 16;
                // ARMOR (fuzz find, inline-execution.md 11.11): on a MALFORMED
                // stream a reference can carry geometry that does not match the
                // open picture (mutated parameter sets / truncated ref planes),
                // so the in-frame band's ref window can leave the guard slice.
                // The band REFUSES rather than panics; a conformant stream
                // cannot take this arm (repro: scratchpad repro.264, plane 6400
                // vs index 6416). Output on malformed input is unspecified —
                // absence of panic is the contract the fuzz gate enforces.
                let (Some(d), Some(sr)) = (self.rec_y.get_mut(dst..dst + w), ly.get(src..src + w))
                else {
                    return;
                };
                d.copy_from_slice(sr);
            }
        }
        let cst = rf0.cstride();
        let wc = n * 8;
        for c in 0..2 {
            let rc = rf0.chroma_guard(c, rf0.ch);
            let plane = if c == 0 {
                &mut self.rec_u
            } else {
                &mut self.rec_v
            };
            for dy in 0..8 {
                let y = mby * 8 + dy;
                let src = (y + crate::CPAD) * cst + crate::CPAD + mbx0 * 8;
                let dst = y * self.ccw + mbx0 * 8;
                // Same armor as the luma band above.
                let (Some(d), Some(sr)) = (plane.get_mut(dst..dst + wc), rc.get(src..src + wc))
                else {
                    return;
                };
                d.copy_from_slice(sr);
            }
        }
        edcstat::bump(&edcstat::SKIPBAND_MBS, n as u64);
        edcstat::bump(&edcstat::SKIPBAND_RUNS, 1);
    }

    /// B_Skip zero-bi recon: rec = avg(ref0, ref1') row-wise, straight from the
    /// padded planes. Byte-identical to b_mc at mv (0,0)/(0,0): full-pel MC is
    /// an identity read and the unweighted bi blend is exactly (a+b+1)>>1 —
    /// which the compiler emits as pavgb over the sliced zips, same as b_mc's
    /// blend site.
    fn recon_b_skip_zero_bi(&mut self, mbx: usize, mby: usize, r0i: usize, r1i: usize) {
        let (Some(rf0), Some(rf1)) = (self.refs.get(r0i), self.refs1.get(r1i)) else {
            return;
        };
        let (l0st, l1st) = (rf0.lstride(), rf1.lstride());
        {
            let _g = rusty_h264_common::prof::scope(rusty_h264_common::prof::Stage::SkipRecon);
            let (ly0, ly1) = (rf0.luma_guard(rf0.ch), rf1.luma_guard(rf1.ch));
            for dy in 0..16 {
                let y = mby * 16 + dy;
                let s0 = (y + crate::LPAD) * l0st + crate::LPAD + mbx * 16;
                let s1 = (y + crate::LPAD) * l1st + crate::LPAD + mbx * 16;
                let d = y * self.cw + mbx * 16;
                // WIN: STRIDED destination, so rustc cannot do what it does for the
                // contiguous pred_y averages (which are already ideal vpavgb and are
                // left alone). Route the row through the pixel_avg kernel instead.
                rusty_h264_common::inter::avg_row_into(
                    &ly0[s0..s0 + 16],
                    &ly1[s1..s1 + 16],
                    16,
                    &mut self.rec_y[d..d + 16],
                );
            }
        }
        let (c0st, c1st) = (rf0.cstride(), rf1.cstride());
        for c in 0..2 {
            let rc0 = rf0.chroma_guard(c, rf0.ch);
            let rc1 = rf1.chroma_guard(c, rf1.ch);
            let plane = if c == 0 {
                &mut self.rec_u
            } else {
                &mut self.rec_v
            };
            for dy in 0..8 {
                let y = mby * 8 + dy;
                let s0 = (y + crate::CPAD) * c0st + crate::CPAD + mbx * 8;
                let s1 = (y + crate::CPAD) * c1st + crate::CPAD + mbx * 8;
                let d = y * self.ccw + mbx * 8;
                // WIN: STRIDED destination, so rustc cannot do what it does for the
                // contiguous pred_y averages (which are already ideal vpavgb and are
                // left alone). Route the row through the pixel_avg kernel instead.
                rusty_h264_common::inter::avg_row_into(
                    &rc0[s0..s0 + 8],
                    &rc1[s1..s1 + 8],
                    8,
                    &mut plane[d..d + 8],
                );
            }
        }
    }

    /// Full-pel P_Skip single: rec window = ref\[0\] window at an integer offset.
    /// Returns false (touching nothing) when any window leaves the padded
    /// plane — mc's edge clamping takes over there. Luma needs mv%4==0;
    /// chroma needs mv%8==0 (its frac is mv&7), so odd full-pel MVs copy luma
    /// and interpolate chroma.
    fn recon_p_skip_fullpel(&mut self, mbx: usize, mby: usize, mv: (i32, i32)) -> bool {
        let (dx, dy) = ((mv.0 / 4) as isize, (mv.1 / 4) as isize);
        let Some(rf0) = self.refs.first() else {
            return false;
        };
        let lst = rf0.lstride();
        let lpad = crate::LPAD as isize;
        let cx = mbx as isize * 16 + dx + lpad;
        let cy = mby as isize * 16 + dy + lpad;
        {
            let ly = rf0.luma_guard(rf0.ch);
            let lrows = rf0.lrows() as isize;
            if cx < 0 || cx + 16 > lst as isize || cy < 0 || cy + 16 > lrows {
                return false;
            }
            let _g = rusty_h264_common::prof::scope(rusty_h264_common::prof::Stage::SkipRecon);
            // ONE span each side: sixteen rows a fixed stride apart, so the
            // source and destination checks are paid once instead of per row.
            let (cw, sb) = (self.cw, cy as usize * lst + cx as usize);
            let db = (mby * 16) * cw + mbx * 16;
            let sw = &ly[sb..sb + 15 * lst + 16];
            let dw = &mut self.rec_y[db..db + 15 * cw + 16];
            for r in 0..16 {
                dw[r * cw..r * cw + 16].copy_from_slice(&sw[r * lst..r * lst + 16]);
            }
        }
        let cst = rf0.cstride();
        let cpad = crate::CPAD as isize;
        if mv.0 % 8 == 0 && mv.1 % 8 == 0 {
            let ccx = mbx as isize * 8 + (mv.0 / 8) as isize + cpad;
            let ccy = mby as isize * 8 + (mv.1 / 8) as isize + cpad;
            let crows = rf0.crows() as isize;
            if ccx >= 0 && ccx + 8 <= cst as isize && ccy >= 0 && ccy + 8 <= crows {
                for c in 0..2 {
                    let rc = rf0.chroma_guard(c, rf0.ch);
                    let plane = if c == 0 {
                        &mut self.rec_u
                    } else {
                        &mut self.rec_v
                    };
                    let (ccw, sb) = (self.ccw, ccy as usize * cst + ccx as usize);
                    let db = (mby * 8) * ccw + mbx * 8;
                    let sw = &rc[sb..sb + 7 * cst + 8];
                    let dw = &mut plane[db..db + 7 * ccw + 8];
                    for r in 0..8 {
                        dw[r * ccw..r * ccw + 8].copy_from_slice(&sw[r * cst..r * cst + 8]);
                    }
                }
                edcstat::bump(&edcstat::SKIP_FP_FULL, 1);
                return true;
            }
        }
        // Odd full-pel (or chroma window out of pad): luma is already copied,
        // chroma still interpolates — identical to the mc path's chroma half.
        let cch = self.mb_h * 8;
        for c in 0..2 {
            let mut pc = [0u8; 64];
            let rc = if c == 0 {
                &*rf0.chroma_guard(0, rf0.ch)
            } else {
                &*rf0.chroma_guard(1, rf0.ch)
            };
            mc_chroma_padded(
                rc,
                cst,
                crate::CPAD,
                self.ccw,
                cch,
                mbx * 8,
                mby * 8,
                8,
                8,
                mv.0,
                mv.1,
                &mut pc,
            );
            let plane = if c == 0 {
                &mut self.rec_u
            } else {
                &mut self.rec_v
            };
            for r in 0..8 {
                let d = (mby * 8 + r) * self.ccw + mbx * 8;
                plane[d..d + 8].copy_from_slice(&pc[r * 8..r * 8 + 8]);
            }
        }
        edcstat::bump(&edcstat::SKIP_FP_LUMA, 1);
        true
    }

    /// B_Skip full-pel recon with per-list integer offsets: uni = offset row
    /// copy, bi = offset row average ((a+b+1)>>1). Luma always copies here
    /// (caller guarantees mv%4==0); chroma copies at mv%8==0 and otherwise
    /// interpolates via b_mc_chroma — identical to the b_mc path's chroma
    /// half with no implicit weights. Returns false untouched when a luma
    /// window leaves the padded plane.
    fn recon_b_skip_fp(
        &mut self,
        mbx: usize,
        mby: usize,
        r0: Option<usize>,
        r1: Option<usize>,
        mv0: (i32, i32),
        mv1: (i32, i32),
    ) -> bool {
        let lpad = crate::LPAD as isize;
        // (start-row, start-col, stride, rows) of each active list's luma window.
        let win = |rf: &crate::RefFrame, mv: (i32, i32)| -> Option<(usize, usize)> {
            let lst = rf.lstride();
            let cx = mbx as isize * 16 + (mv.0 / 4) as isize + lpad;
            let cy = mby as isize * 16 + (mv.1 / 4) as isize + lpad;
            let lrows = rf.lrows() as isize;
            if cx < 0 || cx + 16 > lst as isize || cy < 0 || cy + 16 > lrows {
                None
            } else {
                Some((cy as usize * lst + cx as usize, lst))
            }
        };
        let w0 = match r0 {
            Some(i) => match self.refs.get(i).and_then(|rr| win(rr, mv0)) {
                Some(w) => Some(w),
                None => return false,
            },
            None => None,
        };
        let w1 = match r1 {
            Some(i) => match self.refs1.get(i).and_then(|rr| win(rr, mv1)) {
                Some(w) => Some(w),
                None => return false,
            },
            None => None,
        };
        {
            let _g = rusty_h264_common::prof::scope(rusty_h264_common::prof::Stage::SkipRecon);
            match (w0, w1) {
                (Some((s0, l0)), Some((s1, l1))) => {
                    let Some(rf0) = r0.and_then(|i| self.refs.get(i)) else {
                        return false;
                    };
                    // Same shape as the `rf0` line above: `w1` is `Some` only when
                    // `r1` is `Some(i)` AND `refs1.get(i)` returned a frame, so the
                    // `else` is unreachable -- but it is a REFUSAL, not a panic, and
                    // `recon_b_skip_fp` already answers `false` for every case it
                    // cannot fast-path. Indexing a `Vec` with an unwrapped `Option`
                    // spent a discriminant test, an `unwrap_failed` call and a bounds
                    // check to restate an invariant the caller had already proven.
                    let Some(rf1) = r1.and_then(|i| self.refs1.get(i)) else {
                        return false;
                    };
                    let (ly0, ly1) = (rf0.luma_guard(rf0.ch), rf1.luma_guard(rf1.ch));
                    // WIN: this was 256 scalar (p + q + 1) >> 1 per macroblock, three
                    // modules from the  kernel that computes exactly that
                    // with  and already takes both source strides. One kernel
                    // call over the 16x16, then sixteen row copies out to the strided
                    // recon plane.
                    for r in 0..16 {
                        let d = (mby * 16 + r) * self.cw + mbx * 16;
                        rusty_h264_common::inter::avg_row_into(
                            &ly0[s0 + r * l0..],
                            &ly1[s1 + r * l1..],
                            16,
                            &mut self.rec_y[d..d + 16],
                        );
                    }
                }
                (Some((s0, l0)), None) => {
                    let Some(rf0) = r0.and_then(|i| self.refs.get(i)) else {
                        return false;
                    };
                    let ly = rf0.luma_guard(rf0.ch);
                    for r in 0..16 {
                        let d = (mby * 16 + r) * self.cw + mbx * 16;
                        self.rec_y[d..d + 16].copy_from_slice(&ly[s0 + r * l0..s0 + r * l0 + 16]);
                    }
                }
                (None, Some((s1, l1))) => {
                    // Same shape as the `rf0` line above: `w1` is `Some` only when
                    // `r1` is `Some(i)` AND `refs1.get(i)` returned a frame, so the
                    // `else` is unreachable -- but it is a REFUSAL, not a panic, and
                    // `recon_b_skip_fp` already answers `false` for every case it
                    // cannot fast-path. Indexing a `Vec` with an unwrapped `Option`
                    // spent a discriminant test, an `unwrap_failed` call and a bounds
                    // check to restate an invariant the caller had already proven.
                    let Some(rf1) = r1.and_then(|i| self.refs1.get(i)) else {
                        return false;
                    };
                    let ly = rf1.luma_guard(rf1.ch);
                    for r in 0..16 {
                        let d = (mby * 16 + r) * self.cw + mbx * 16;
                        self.rec_y[d..d + 16].copy_from_slice(&ly[s1 + r * l1..s1 + r * l1 + 16]);
                    }
                }
                (None, None) => unreachable!("caller guarantees an active list"),
            }
        }
        // Chroma: interpolating half — route through b_mc_chroma into a stage
        // (weights None: the caller only enters at implicit None/(32,32), and
        // (32,32) IS the plain average b_mc_chroma computes for None).
        let cch = self.mb_h * 8;
        let mut c_pred = [[0u8; 64]; 2];
        let (ri0, ri1) = (r0.map_or(-1, |i| i as i32), r1.map_or(-1, |i| i as i32));
        self.b_mc_chroma(
            mbx,
            mby,
            0,
            0,
            16,
            16,
            ri0,
            mv0,
            ri1,
            mv1,
            &mut c_pred,
            None,
            cch,
        );
        for c in 0..2 {
            let plane = if c == 0 {
                &mut self.rec_u
            } else {
                &mut self.rec_v
            };
            for r in 0..8 {
                let d = (mby * 8 + r) * self.ccw + mbx * 8;
                plane[d..d + 8].copy_from_slice(&c_pred[c][r * 8..r * 8 + 8]);
            }
        }
        true
    }

    fn recon_p_skip(&mut self, mb_x: usize, mb_y: usize, mv: (i32, i32)) {
        // Full-pel + identity/no weights: MC is a pure offset read, so copy the
        // ref window straight into rec — no pred staging, no weight pass. The
        // window must sit inside the PADDED plane (outside it, mc's clamping
        // differs from a raw offset read, so fall through).
        if (self.weights.is_none() || self.weights_id0)
            && mv.0 % 4 == 0
            && mv.1 % 4 == 0
            && !no_skipfp()
            && self.recon_p_skip_fullpel(mb_x, mb_y, mv)
        {
            return;
        }
        let (ch, cch) = (self.mb_h * 16, self.mb_h * 8);

        let mut pred = [0u8; 256];
        let Some(rf0) = self.refs.first() else { return };
        mc_luma_padded(
            &*rf0.luma_guard(rf0.ch),
            rf0.lstride(),
            crate::LPAD,
            self.cw,
            ch,
            mb_x * 16,
            mb_y * 16,
            16,
            16,
            mv.0,
            mv.1,
            &mut pred,
        );
        if let Some(wt) = &self.weights {
            if !self.weights_id0 || no_skipfp() {
                for p in pred.iter_mut() {
                    *p = wt.apply_luma(*p, 0, 0);
                }
            }
        }
        {
            let _g = rusty_h264_common::prof::scope(rusty_h264_common::prof::Stage::SkipRecon);
            // ONE span for the sixteen rows (see `recon_p_inter_nores`).
            let (cw, base) = (self.cw, (mb_y * 16) * self.cw + mb_x * 16);
            let win = &mut self.rec_y[base..base + 15 * cw + 16];
            for dy in 0..16 {
                win[dy * cw..dy * cw + 16].copy_from_slice(&pred[dy * 16..dy * 16 + 16]);
            }
        }
        let (mut pu, mut pv) = ([0u8; 64], [0u8; 64]);
        {
            let Some(rf0) = self.refs.first() else { return };
            let (gu, gv) = (rf0.chroma_guard(0, rf0.ch), rf0.chroma_guard(1, rf0.ch));
            rusty_h264_common::inter::mc_chroma_padded_pair(
                &gu,
                &gv,
                rf0.cstride(),
                crate::CPAD,
                self.ccw,
                cch,
                mb_x * 8,
                mb_y * 8,
                8,
                8,
                mv.0,
                mv.1,
                &mut pu,
                &mut pv,
            );
        }
        if let Some(wt) = &self.weights {
            if !self.weights_id0 || no_skipfp() {
                for p in pu.iter_mut() {
                    *p = wt.apply_chroma(*p, 0, 0, 0);
                }
                for p in pv.iter_mut() {
                    *p = wt.apply_chroma(*p, 0, 0, 1);
                }
            }
        }
        for (pc, plane) in [(&pu, &mut self.rec_u), (&pv, &mut self.rec_v)] {
            for dy in 0..8 {
                let d = (mb_y * 8 + dy) * self.ccw + mb_x * 8;
                plane[d..d + 8].copy_from_slice(&pc[dy * 8..dy * 8 + 8]);
            }
        }
    }

    /// Predicted `Intra_4x4` mode for the block at absolute coords `(bx, by)`.
    /// If either the left or top neighbor is outside the frame or in another
    /// slice, the prediction is DC (mode 2) (spec §8.3.1.1).
    /// `predict_i4_mode` with the MACROBLOCK-level availability already
    /// resolved by the caller (`top_ok` / `left_ok`).
    ///
    /// Twelve of a macroblock's sixteen blocks have BOTH neighbours inside the
    /// same macroblock, so their slice test is a foregone conclusion - yet the
    /// general form recomputed two `nbr_in_slice` products and two
    /// `intra_nbr_ok` tests for every one of them, ~1M times on all-intra
    /// content.
    ///
    /// `constrained_intra` is excluded deliberately: there the general form
    /// tests THIS macroblock's own `inter_y` cells for interior blocks, which
    /// the macroblock-level flags do not model, so that case defers unchanged.
    #[inline]
    fn predict_i4_mode_fast(
        &self,
        bx: usize,
        by: usize,
        lbx: usize,
        lby: usize,
        top_ok: bool,
        left_ok: bool,
    ) -> u8 {
        if self.constrained_intra {
            return self.predict_i4_mode(bx, by);
        }
        if !((lbx > 0 || left_ok) && (lby > 0 || top_ok)) {
            return 2;
        }
        let w4 = self.mb_w * 4;
        // Fallible reads: two checks on the same grid at two indexes. `2` is DC,
        // which is exactly what every unavailable-neighbour path above already
        // returns, so the fallback is the function's own existing semantics.
        let l = self.modes_y.get(by * w4 + (bx - 1)).copied().unwrap_or(2);
        let t = self.modes_y.get((by - 1) * w4 + bx).copied().unwrap_or(2);
        l.min(t)
    }

    fn predict_i4_mode(&self, bx: usize, by: usize) -> u8 {
        if bx == 0 || by == 0 {
            return 2;
        }
        // Left neighbor block (bx-1,by); top neighbor block (bx,by-1). A neighbor
        // in another slice — or, under constrained_intra, an inter neighbor — is
        // unavailable, forcing the predicted mode to DC.
        if !self.nbr_in_slice((bx - 1) / 4, by / 4)
            || !self.nbr_in_slice(bx / 4, (by - 1) / 4)
            || !self.intra_nbr_ok(bx - 1, by)
            || !self.intra_nbr_ok(bx, by - 1)
        {
            return 2;
        }
        let w4 = self.mb_w * 4;
        // Fallible reads: two checks on the same grid at two indexes. `2` is DC,
        // which is exactly what every unavailable-neighbour path above already
        // returns, so the fallback is the function's own existing semantics.
        let l = self.modes_y.get(by * w4 + (bx - 1)).copied().unwrap_or(2);
        let t = self.modes_y.get((by - 1) * w4 + bx).copied().unwrap_or(2);
        l.min(t)
    }

    /// Gathers 4×4 luma intra neighbors at pixel `(px, py)` from `rec_y`.
    fn gather_i4(
        &self,
        px: usize,
        py: usize,
        avail_top: bool,
        avail_left: bool,
        bx: usize,
        by: usize,
    ) -> ([u8; 8], [u8; 4], u8) {
        let (cw, w4) = (self.cw, self.mb_w * 4);
        let mut top = [0u8; 8];
        let mut left = [0u8; 4];
        let mut corner = 0;
        let (lbx, lby) = (bx & 3, by & 3);
        if avail_top {
            // Row-slice loads: the bak-vs-rec source branch runs once per row
            // segment instead of once per PIXEL (top_y_px paid it 8 times).
            top[..4].copy_from_slice(self.top_y_row(py, px, 4));
            // ROUTED BY POSITION (routing round): below the macroblock's top row the
            // top-right neighbour is inside this macroblock (or the undecoded right
            // neighbour), so its availability is the z-order constant I4_TR_IN_MB --
            // no grid load, no slice test, no constrained-intra call.
            let tr_avail = if lby > 0 {
                lbx < 3 && (I4_TR_IN_MB >> I4_Z_OF_XY[lby][lbx]) & 1 == 1
            } else {
                bx + 1 < w4
                    && self
                        .coded_y
                        .get((by - 1) * w4 + (bx + 1))
                        .copied()
                        .unwrap_or(false)
                    && self.nbr_in_slice((bx + 1) / 4, (by - 1) / 4)
                    && self.intra_nbr_ok(bx + 1, by - 1)
            };
            if tr_avail {
                top[4..8].copy_from_slice(self.top_y_row(py, px + 4, 4));
            } else {
                let t3 = top[3];
                top[4..8].fill(t3);
            }
        }
        if avail_left {
            // STRIDED WALK. The span form this replaces claimed `i * cw <= 3 * cw`
            // was provable against the span's length; it is not — the same shape
            // left five live checks on `recon_i16_luma`'s sixteen-sample column.
            // `step_by` does the stride with no index, and `zip` bounds the count.
            let base = py * cw + px - 1;
            for (s, &v) in left.iter_mut().zip(self.rec_y[base..].iter().step_by(cw)) {
                *s = v;
            }
        }
        // The above-left corner has its own availability (block D); under
        // constrained_intra it is gone if that block is inter.
        // Interior corner is this macroblock's own (intra) sample: no constrained-intra call.
        if avail_top && avail_left && ((lbx > 0 && lby > 0) || self.intra_nbr_ok(bx - 1, by - 1)) {
            corner = self.top_y_px(py, px - 1);
        }
        (top, left, corner)
    }

    /// Reconstructs an `I_PCM` macroblock: byte-aligned raw 8-bit samples, no
    /// prediction/transform/quant (spec §7.3.5, §8.3.5).
    fn decode_ipcm(&mut self, r: &mut BitReader, mb_x: usize, mb_y: usize) -> Result<(), MbError> {
        r.align_to_byte()?;
        // ROW SLICES throughout. A PCM macroblock wrote 384 samples one at a
        // time, each a separately bounds-checked index into a whole plane, and
        // then 104 more scattered context stores below. Every extent here is a
        // literal (16, 8, 4, 2), so one slice per row makes the inner index
        // provable and the stores become a straight walk.
        let (lx, ly) = (mb_x * 16, mb_y * 16);
        for dy in 0..16 {
            let row = &mut self.rec_y[(ly + dy) * self.cw + lx..][..16];
            for px in row.iter_mut() {
                *px = r.read_bits(8)? as u8;
            }
        }
        let (cx, cy) = (mb_x * 8, mb_y * 8);
        let ccw = self.ccw;
        for plane in [&mut self.rec_u, &mut self.rec_v] {
            for dy in 0..8 {
                let row = &mut plane[(cy + dy) * ccw + cx..][..8];
                for px in row.iter_mut() {
                    *px = r.read_bits(8)? as u8;
                }
            }
        }
        // Neighbor context: an I_PCM block contributes TotalCoeff = 16, counts as
        // intra with DC mode for prediction, and has no motion (§9.2.1, §8.3.1.2.2).
        let (w4, w2) = (self.mb_w * 4, self.mb_w * 2);
        // The scan order is irrelevant when every written value is a constant:
        // the sixteen `LUMA_4X4_SCAN_XY` positions are exactly the macroblock's
        // 4x4 rectangle, so four row fills per array cover them.
        for ry in 0..4 {
            let base = (mb_y * 4 + ry) * w4 + mb_x * 4;
            self.nnz_y[base..][..4].fill(16);
            self.modes_y[base..][..4].fill(2);
            self.coded_y[base..][..4].fill(true);
            self.inter_y[base..][..4].fill(false);
            self.ref_idx_y[base..][..4].fill(-1);
            self.mv_y[base..][..4].fill((0, 0));
        }
        for c in 0..2 {
            for by in 0..2 {
                self.nnz_c[c][(mb_y * 2 + by) * w2 + mb_x * 2..][..2].fill(16);
            }
        }
        Ok(())
    }

    fn decode_i4x4(&mut self, r: &mut BitReader, mb_x: usize, mb_y: usize) -> Result<(), MbError> {
        let w4 = self.mb_w * 4;

        // intra4x4 mode signalling
        let mut modes = [2u8; 16]; // raster [lby*4+lbx]
        for &(lbx, lby) in &LUMA_4X4_SCAN_XY {
            let (bx, by) = (mb_x * 4 + lbx, mb_y * 4 + lby);
            let predicted = self.predict_i4_mode(bx, by);
            let actual = if r.read_bit()? {
                predicted
            } else {
                let rem = r.read_bits(3)? as u8;
                if rem < predicted {
                    rem
                } else {
                    rem + 1
                }
            };
            if let Some(p) = self.modes_y.get_mut(by * w4 + bx) {
                *p = actual;
            }
            modes[(lby & 3) * 4 + (lbx & 3)] = actual;
        }

        let chroma_mode = r.read_ue()? as u8;
        let cbp = read_cbp_intra(r)?;
        let cbp_luma = cbp & 15;
        let cbp_chroma = cbp >> 4;
        if cbp != 0 {
            self.step_qp(r.read_se()?)?;
        }
        let qp = self.cur_qp;

        // luma residuals + serial reconstruction. Cross-MB neighbors are only
        // available when the adjacent macroblock is in this slice (and, under
        // constrained_intra_pred, is itself intra-coded).
        let top_mb_avail = mb_y > 0
            && self.nbr_in_slice(mb_x, mb_y - 1)
            && self.intra_nbr_ok(mb_x * 4, mb_y * 4 - 1);
        let left_mb_avail = mb_x > 0
            && self.nbr_in_slice(mb_x - 1, mb_y)
            && self.intra_nbr_ok(mb_x * 4 - 1, mb_y * 4);
        self.nnz_cache_load(mb_x, mb_y);
        let mut nnz_raster = [0u8; 16];
        // PARSE all sixteen blocks first (nC prediction needs only the counts), so
        // the residual transforms run as ONE batched IDCT before the serial
        // predict+add walk. Parse and recon were interleaved per block before.
        let mut scans = [[0i32; 16]; 16];
        let mut totals = [0u8; 16];
        for (blk, &(lbx, lby)) in LUMA_4X4_SCAN_XY.iter().enumerate() {
            let total = if cbp_luma & (1 << (blk / 4)) != 0 {
                let nc = self.nc_pred(lbx, lby);
                decode_residual_block_into::<16, 16>(r, nc, &mut scans[blk & 15])?
            } else {
                0
            };
            self.nnz_cache_set(lbx, lby, total);
            nnz_raster[(lby & 3) * 4 + (lbx & 3)] = total;
            totals[blk & 15] = total;
        }
        let kinds = self.i4_prepare(&scans, &totals, qp);
        let dq0 = self.dq_const(qp, 0);
        for (blk, &(lbx, lby)) in LUMA_4X4_SCAN_XY.iter().enumerate() {
            let (bx, by) = (mb_x * 4 + lbx, mb_y * 4 + lby);
            let avail_top = lby > 0 || top_mb_avail;
            let avail_left = lbx > 0 || left_mb_avail;
            self.recon_i4_block_res(
                bx,
                by,
                modes[(lby & 3) * 4 + (lbx & 3)],
                avail_top,
                avail_left,
                kinds[blk & 15],
                &scans,
                &dq0,
            );
        }
        for ry in 0..4usize {
            self.coded_y[(mb_y * 4 + ry) * w4 + mb_x * 4..][..4].fill(true);
        }
        // Deferred: `recon_i4_block` gathers from `coded_y` / `rec_y`, never
        // from `nnz_y`, so one contiguous copy per row replaces sixteen stores.
        for by in 0..4usize {
            let a = (mb_y * 4 + by) * w4 + mb_x * 4;
            self.nnz_y[a..a + 4].copy_from_slice(&nnz_raster[by * 4..by * 4 + 4]);
        }

        self.decode_chroma(r, mb_x, mb_y, cbp_chroma, chroma_mode)
    }

    /// Decodes an `I_8x8` macroblock (High profile): four 8×8 luma blocks, each
    /// with its own intra mode, 8×8 transform residual (CAVLC = four interleaved
    /// 4×4 blocks), and 8×8 intra prediction.
    fn decode_i8x8(&mut self, r: &mut BitReader, mb_x: usize, mb_y: usize) -> Result<(), MbError> {
        let w4 = self.mb_w * 4;
        if let Some(p) = self.mb_t8x8.get_mut(mb_y * self.mb_w + mb_x) {
            *p = true;
        }
        self.any_t8 = true;

        // intra8x8 mode signalling — one mode per 8×8 block (raster 0..3),
        // stored into all four of its 4×4 cells so neighbors can read it.
        let mut modes8 = [2u8; 4];
        for (b8, mode) in modes8.iter_mut().enumerate() {
            let (b8x, b8y) = (b8 % 2, b8 / 2);
            let (bx, by) = (mb_x * 4 + b8x * 2, mb_y * 4 + b8y * 2);
            let predicted = self.predict_i4_mode(bx, by);
            let actual = if r.read_bit()? {
                predicted
            } else {
                let rem = r.read_bits(3)? as u8;
                if rem < predicted {
                    rem
                } else {
                    rem + 1
                }
            };
            *mode = actual;
            for sy in 0..2 {
                // Row fill: the 2x2 cell block is two contiguous PAIRS.
                self.modes_y[(by + sy) * w4 + bx..][..2].fill(actual);
            }
        }

        let chroma_mode = r.read_ue()? as u8;
        let cbp = read_cbp_intra(r)?;
        let cbp_luma = cbp & 15;
        let cbp_chroma = cbp >> 4;
        if cbp != 0 {
            self.step_qp(r.read_se()?)?;
        }
        let qp = self.cur_qp;

        let top_mb_avail = mb_y > 0
            && self.nbr_in_slice(mb_x, mb_y - 1)
            && self.intra_nbr_ok(mb_x * 4, mb_y * 4 - 1);
        let left_mb_avail = mb_x > 0
            && self.nbr_in_slice(mb_x - 1, mb_y)
            && self.intra_nbr_ok(mb_x * 4 - 1, mb_y * 4);
        self.nnz_cache_load(mb_x, mb_y);

        let mut nnz_raster = [0u8; 16];
        for b8 in 0..4 {
            let (b8x, b8y) = (b8 % 2, b8 / 2);
            let (bx, by) = (mb_x * 4 + b8x * 2, mb_y * 4 + b8y * 2);

            // residual: 8×8 CAVLC = four 4×4 sub-blocks, coeff k of sub-block s
            // mapping to 8×8 scan position 4·k + s (spec §7.3.5.3.2).
            let mut scan8 = [0i32; 64];
            let coded8 = cbp_luma & (1 << b8) != 0;
            if coded8 {
                for sub in 0..4 {
                    let (sx, sy) = (sub % 2, sub / 2);
                    let (cx, cy) = (b8x * 2 + sx, b8y * 2 + sy);
                    let nc = self.nc_pred(cx, cy);
                    let mut blk = [0i32; 16];
                    let total = decode_residual_block_into::<16, 16>(r, nc, &mut blk)?;
                    self.nnz_cache_set(cx, cy, total);
                    // Deferred to one row copy per MB row after the loop (`recon_i8_block`
                    // gathers from `coded_y` / `rec_y`, never `nnz_y`) -- was a checked store per sub.
                    nnz_raster[(cy & 3) * 4 + (cx & 3)] = total;
                    for k in 0..16 {
                        scan8[4 * k + sub] = blk[k];
                    }
                }
            } else {
                for sub in 0..4 {
                    let (sx, sy) = (sub % 2, sub / 2);
                    self.nnz_cache_set(b8x * 2 + sx, b8y * 2 + sy, 0);
                    // `nnz_raster` is already zero here.
                }
            }

            let avail_top = b8y > 0 || top_mb_avail;
            let avail_left = b8x > 0 || left_mb_avail;
            self.recon_i8_block(
                bx,
                by,
                modes8[b8],
                avail_top,
                avail_left,
                coded8.then_some(&scan8),
                qp,
            );
            for sy in 0..2 {
                // Row fill: the 2x2 cell block is two contiguous PAIRS.
                self.coded_y[(by + sy) * w4 + bx..][..2].fill(true);
            }
        }

        // ONE contiguous copy per macroblock row (see the I4x4 arm).
        for ry in 0..4usize {
            let a = (mb_y * 4 + ry) * w4 + mb_x * 4;
            self.nnz_y[a..a + 4].copy_from_slice(&nnz_raster[ry * 4..ry * 4 + 4]);
        }

        self.decode_chroma(r, mb_x, mb_y, cbp_chroma, chroma_mode)
    }

    /// Dequantizes + inverse-transforms an 8×8 luma block, applying the scaling
    /// matrix `list` (0 = intra, 1 = inter) or flat weights.
    fn inv_quant8(&self, raster: &[i32; 64], qp: u8, list: usize) -> [i32; 64] {
        // Prebuilt per-(qp, list) constants: the flat table at zero cost, or one
        // 64-entry build per macroblock for scaling lists (was 64 x two lookups +
        // a multiply per coefficient on every block).
        match &self.scaling8 {
            Some(s) => inverse_quant_8x8_dq(raster, &Dequant8Qp::build(qp, &s[list])),
            None => inverse_quant_8x8_dq(raster, &DQ8_FLAT[(qp as usize).min(51)]),
        }
    }

    /// Gathers the 8×8 luma intra reference samples at pixel `(px, py)`: the 16
    /// top samples (8..15 substituted from the last when no top-right), 8 left
    /// samples, the above-left corner, and whether the corner is available.
    #[allow(clippy::too_many_arguments)]
    fn gather_i8(
        &self,
        px: usize,
        py: usize,
        avail_top: bool,
        avail_left: bool,
        bx: usize,
        by: usize,
    ) -> ([u8; 16], [u8; 8], u8, bool) {
        let (cw, w4) = (self.cw, self.mb_w * 4);
        let mut top = [0u8; 16];
        let mut left = [0u8; 8];
        let mut corner = 0;
        if avail_top {
            // Row-slice loads: one source branch per segment, not per pixel.
            top[..8].copy_from_slice(self.top_y_row(py, px, 8));
            let tr_avail = bx + 2 < w4
                && self
                    .coded_y
                    .get((by - 1) * w4 + (bx + 2))
                    .copied()
                    .unwrap_or(false)
                && self.nbr_in_slice((bx + 2) / 4, (by - 1) / 4)
                && self.intra_nbr_ok(bx + 2, by - 1);
            if tr_avail {
                top[8..16].copy_from_slice(self.top_y_row(py, px + 8, 8));
            } else {
                let t7 = top[7];
                top[8..16].fill(t7);
            }
        }
        if avail_left {
            // STRIDED WALK, NOT STRIDED INDEXING. A span plus `col[i * cw]` still
            // checks, because `i * cw <= 7 * cw` is not something LLVM derives
            // against the span's own length; `step_by` on the iterator does the
            // stride with no index at all, and `zip` bounds the count.
            let base = py * cw + px - 1;
            for (s, &v) in left.iter_mut().zip(self.rec_y[base..].iter().step_by(cw)) {
                *s = v;
            }
        }
        let avail_corner = avail_top && avail_left && self.intra_nbr_ok(bx - 1, by - 1);
        if avail_corner {
            corner = self.top_y_px(py, px - 1);
        }
        (top, left, corner, avail_corner)
    }

    fn decode_i16(
        &mut self,
        r: &mut BitReader,
        mb_x: usize,
        mb_y: usize,
        mt: u32,
    ) -> Result<(), MbError> {
        let pred_mode = I16Mode::from_id(mt % 4);
        let cbp_chroma = (mt % 12) / 4;
        let cbp_luma_15 = mt / 12 == 1;
        let chroma_mode = r.read_ue()? as u8;
        self.step_qp(r.read_se()?)?;
        let qp = self.cur_qp;
        let w4 = self.mb_w * 4;

        // luma DC
        self.nnz_cache_load(mb_x, mb_y);
        let nc_dc = self.nc_pred(0, 0);
        let mut dc_scan = [0i32; 16];
        decode_residual_block_into::<16, 16>(r, nc_dc, &mut dc_scan)?;
        let recon_dc =
            inverse_quant_luma_dc_scan(&dc_scan, qp, self.scaling.as_ref().map(|s| s[0][0]));

        // luma AC (nnz set for all 16 blocks: 0 when DC-only, matching the encoder)
        let mut nnz_raster = [0u8; 16];
        let mut q_blocks = [[0i32; 16]; 16];
        for &(bx, by) in &LUMA_4X4_SCAN_XY {
            let total = if cbp_luma_15 {
                let nc = self.nc_pred(bx, by);
                let mut ac = [0i32; 16];
                let t = decode_residual_block_into::<15, 16>(r, nc, &mut ac)?;
                // Zero-skip: an empty AC block leaves the fresh-zero raster
                // block untouched (un-scanning 16 zeros wrote zeros on zeros).
                if t != 0 {
                    q_blocks[(by & 3) * 4 + (bx & 3)] = ac; // SCAN order (fused kernel)
                }
                t
            } else {
                0
            };
            self.nnz_cache_set(bx, by, total);
            nnz_raster[(by & 3) * 4 + (bx & 3)] = total;
        }
        let coded16 = nnz_raster
            .iter()
            .enumerate()
            .fold(0u16, |m, (i, &n)| m | (((n != 0) as u16) << i));
        // ONE contiguous copy per row (nothing reads `nnz_y` for this
        // macroblock in between - `nc_pred` predicts from `nnz_cache`).
        for by in 0..4usize {
            let a = (mb_y * 4 + by) * w4 + mb_x * 4;
            self.nnz_y[a..a + 4].copy_from_slice(&nnz_raster[by * 4..by * 4 + 4]);
        }

        // prediction + reconstruction
        let avail_top = mb_y > 0
            && self.nbr_in_slice(mb_x, mb_y - 1)
            && self.intra_nbr_ok(mb_x * 4, mb_y * 4 - 1);
        let avail_left = mb_x > 0
            && self.nbr_in_slice(mb_x - 1, mb_y)
            && self.intra_nbr_ok(mb_x * 4 - 1, mb_y * 4);
        self.recon_i16_luma(
            mb_x,
            mb_y,
            pred_mode,
            avail_top,
            avail_left,
            Some(&q_blocks),
            coded16,
            &recon_dc,
            qp,
        );
        // I_16x16 blocks are treated as DC for neighbor mode prediction.
        for lby in 0..4usize {
            let a = (mb_y * 4 + lby) * w4 + mb_x * 4;
            self.modes_y[a..a + 4].fill(2);
        }

        self.decode_chroma(r, mb_x, mb_y, cbp_chroma, chroma_mode)
    }

    /// Reads and reconstructs the chroma residual (shared by both luma types).
    fn decode_chroma(
        &mut self,
        r: &mut BitReader,
        mb_x: usize,
        mb_y: usize,
        cbp_chroma: u32,
        chroma_mode: u8,
    ) -> Result<(), MbError> {
        let qpc = self.chroma_qp_for(self.cur_qp);
        let avail_top = mb_y > 0
            && self.nbr_in_slice(mb_x, mb_y - 1)
            && self.intra_nbr_ok(mb_x * 4, mb_y * 4 - 1);
        let avail_left = mb_x > 0
            && self.nbr_in_slice(mb_x - 1, mb_y)
            && self.intra_nbr_ok(mb_x * 4 - 1, mb_y * 4);

        let mut c_recon_dc = [[0i32; 4]; 2];
        if cbp_chroma != 0 {
            for (c, slot) in c_recon_dc.iter_mut().enumerate() {
                let mut dc = [0i32; 4];
                decode_residual_block_into::<4, 4>(r, -1, &mut dc)?;
                *slot = self.dequant_chroma_dc(&dc, qpc, 1 + c);
            }
        }
        let mut c_q_blocks = [[[0i32; 16]; 4]; 2];
        let mut ccoded = [0u8; 2];
        if cbp_chroma == 2 {
            self.chroma_cache_load(mb_x, mb_y);
            let w2 = self.mb_w * 2;
            for c in 0..2 {
                for &(bx, by) in &CHROMA_4X4_SCAN_XY {
                    let nc = self.chroma_nc_pred(c, bx, by);
                    let mut ac = [0i32; 16];
                    let total = decode_residual_block_into::<15, 16>(r, nc, &mut ac)?;
                    self.chroma_nnz_cache_set(c, bx, by, total);
                    if let Some(n) =
                        self.nnz_c[c & 1].get_mut((mb_y * 2 + by) * w2 + (mb_x * 2 + bx))
                    {
                        *n = total;
                    }
                    // Zero-skip: empty AC leaves the fresh-zero raster block.
                    if total != 0 {
                        ccoded[c & 1] |= 1u8 << ((by * 2 + bx) & 3);
                        // WIN: c < 2, by < 2, bx < 2, so both indexes are in range and
                        // the masks PROVE it -- the ccoded[c & 1] |= 1 << ((by*2+bx) & 3)
                        // on the line above already uses exactly these. This was the last
                        // panic_bounds_check on the decoder hot path.
                        c_q_blocks[c & 1][(by * 2 + bx) & 3] = ac; // SCAN order (fused kernel)
                    }
                }
            }
        }
        self.recon_chroma_blocks(
            mb_x,
            mb_y,
            chroma_mode,
            avail_top,
            avail_left,
            &c_q_blocks,
            ccoded,
            &c_recon_dc,
            qpc,
        );
        Ok(())
    }

    /// Applies the in-loop deblocking filter to the reconstructed frame, with
    /// the slice's `FilterOffsetA`/`FilterOffsetB` (each = the coded `*_div2`
    /// value × 2).
    /// Per-frame per-MB dump for conformance bisection, keyed on `RH264_DUMP_MB`.
    /// Prints one char per macroblock: `i` = intra, otherwise the List-0 reference
    /// index of the MB's top-left 4x4 block. Directly comparable with ffmpeg's
    /// `-debug mb_type` map, which is the only per-MB ground truth we can get out
    /// of the reference decoder.
    fn dump_mb_map(&self) {
        if !dump_mb_on() {
            return;
        }
        let w4 = self.mb_w * 4;
        let mut hist = [0usize; 4];
        eprintln!("--- frame poc {} ---", self.cur_poc);
        for mb_y in 0..self.mb_h {
            let mut row = String::new();
            for mb_x in 0..self.mb_w {
                let b = (mb_y * 4) * w4 + mb_x * 4;
                let Some(&r) = self.ref_idx_y.get(b) else {
                    continue;
                };
                if r < 0 {
                    row.push('i');
                } else {
                    if (r as usize) < 4 {
                        hist[r as usize] += 1;
                    }
                    row.push((b'0' + (r as u8).min(9)) as char);
                }
            }
            eprintln!("{row}");
        }
        eprintln!(
            "ref histogram: {hist:?}   num_ref_active={} refs.len()={}   OUT-OF-RANGE={}",
            self.num_ref_active,
            self.refs.len(),
            hist.iter().skip(self.refs.len()).sum::<usize>()
        );
        let list: Vec<String> = self
            .refs
            .iter()
            .enumerate()
            .map(|(i, f)| {
                // A synthesized frame_num-gap frame is uniform grey with w4 == 0;
                // flag it, because it silently displaces real pictures in the list.
                let synth = if f.w4 == 0 { " SYNTH-GREY" } else { "" };
                format!("[{i}] poc={} fn={}{synth}", f.poc, f.frame_num)
            })
            .collect();
        eprintln!("  RefPicList0: {}", list.join("  "));
    }

    pub fn deblock(&mut self, offset_a: i32, offset_b: i32) {
        self.span_flush(); // deferred grid spans feed bS derivation below
        self.edc_flush(); // backstop: no pixel job may survive to filtering
        self.dump_mb_map();
        // ROW MODE: finish any rows not derived during decode (mid-row slice
        // ends, error paths) FIRST, while `self` is still mutably borrowable.
        if rowdb_on() {
            while self.bs_rows < self.mb_h {
                let r = self.bs_rows;
                self.derive_bs_row(r);
                self.bs_rows += 1;
            }
        }
        // Deblock boundary strength uses the *transform block's* coded status. For
        // an 8×8-transform macroblock the unit is the whole 8×8, so every 4×4 cell
        // shares the 8×8's coefficient presence (OR of its four sub-block counts)
        // — distinct from the per-sub-block `nnz_y` used for the CAVLC nC context.
        // Only differs from `nnz_y` when some MB uses the 8×8 transform (High
        // profile). On Baseline (no 8×8) it's identical — skip the clone + rewrite.
        // Row-interleave already derived bS into `bs_frame`; the filter then
        // reads only `bs`+`t8x8`+qp — do not clone nnz or rebuild POC maps.
        let rowdb = rowdb_on();
        let nnz_db_storage;
        let nnz_db: &[u8] = if rowdb {
            &[]
        } else if self.mb_t8x8.iter().any(|&t| t) {
            let mut n = self.nnz_y.clone();
            let w4 = self.mb_w * 4;
            for mb_y in 0..self.mb_h {
                for mb_x in 0..self.mb_w {
                    if !self
                        .mb_t8x8
                        .get(mb_y * self.mb_w + mb_x)
                        .copied()
                        .unwrap_or(false)
                    {
                        continue;
                    }
                    for b8 in 0..4 {
                        let (bx, by) = (mb_x * 4 + (b8 % 2) * 2, mb_y * 4 + (b8 / 2) * 2);
                        let any = (0..2).any(|sy| {
                            self.nnz_y[(by + sy) * w4 + bx..][..2]
                                .iter()
                                .any(|&v| v > 0)
                        });
                        for sy in 0..2 {
                            // Row fill: the 2x2 cell block is two contiguous PAIRS.
                            n[(by + sy) * w4 + bx..][..2].fill(u8::from(any));
                        }
                    }
                }
            }
            nnz_db_storage = n;
            &nnz_db_storage
        } else {
            &self.nnz_y
        };
        let mut info = rusty_h264_common::deblock::BlockInfo {
            inter: if rowdb { &[] } else { &self.inter_y },
            nnz: nnz_db,
            mv: if rowdb { &[] } else { &self.mv_y },
            ref_id: if rowdb { &[] } else { &self.ref_idx_y },
            mv1: if rowdb { &[] } else { &self.mv1 },
            ref_id1: if rowdb || self.ref_poc1.is_empty() {
                &[]
            } else {
                &self.ref_idx1
            },
            w4: self.mb_w * 4,
            t8x8: &self.mb_t8x8,
            bs: &[],
            poc0: if rowdb { &[] } else { &self.ref_poc0 },
            poc1: if rowdb { &[] } else { &self.ref_poc1 },
            kind: &self.mb_kind,
        };
        // ROW MODE (R2): rows were derived during decode; the remainder was
        // finished above (before `info` borrowed the grids). Fallback: the
        // Part 16/17 picture-end precompute; `RS_H264_BS_PRE=0` further falls
        // back to the pack-then-derive-in-loop pipeline.
        let bs_store;
        if rowdb {
            bs_store = core::mem::take(&mut self.bs_frame);
            info.bs = &bs_store;
        } else if bs_pre_on() {
            let mut buf = Vec::new();
            rusty_h264_common::deblock::precompute_bs_frame(&info, self.mb_w, self.mb_h, &mut buf);
            bs_store = buf;
            info.bs = &bs_store;
        } else {
            bs_store = Vec::new();
        }
        let first_row = if rowdb { self.flt_rows } else { 0 };
        rusty_h264_common::deblock::filter_frame_rows_pre(
            &mut self.rec_y,
            &mut self.rec_u,
            &mut self.rec_v,
            self.mb_w,
            self.mb_h,
            first_row..self.mb_h,
            &self.mb_qp,
            self.chroma_qp_offset,
            offset_a,
            offset_b,
            &info,
        );
        drop(info);
        if rowdb {
            self.bs_frame = bs_store;
        }
    }

    /// Crops the reconstructed coded-size planes to the display window.
    /// `into_frame`, additionally handing the per-picture grids back for reuse by
    /// the next picture. See `GridPool` for why this is worth doing.
    pub fn into_frame_recycle(mut self, crop_r: usize, crop_b: usize) -> (YuvFrame, GridPool) {
        let [c0, c1] = core::mem::take(&mut self.nnz_c);
        let pool = GridPool {
            job_pool: core::mem::take(&mut self.edc_job_pool),
            nores_pool: core::mem::take(&mut self.edc_nores_pool),
            bits_per_mb: self.bits_per_mb,
            mb_qp: core::mem::take(&mut self.mb_qp),
            bs_frame: core::mem::take(&mut self.bs_frame),
            pk_prev: core::mem::take(&mut self.pk_prev),
            pk_cur: core::mem::take(&mut self.pk_cur),
            nnz_dbr: core::mem::take(&mut self.nnz_dbr),
            bak_y: core::mem::take(&mut self.bak_y),
            bak_u: core::mem::take(&mut self.bak_u),
            bak_v: core::mem::take(&mut self.bak_v),
            nnz_y: core::mem::take(&mut self.nnz_y),
            nnz_c0: c0,
            nnz_c1: c1,
            modes_y: core::mem::take(&mut self.modes_y),
            coded_y: core::mem::take(&mut self.coded_y),
            mv_y: core::mem::take(&mut self.mv_y),
            inter_y: core::mem::take(&mut self.inter_y),
            ref_idx_y: core::mem::take(&mut self.ref_idx_y),
            mv1: core::mem::take(&mut self.mv1),
            ref_idx1: core::mem::take(&mut self.ref_idx1),
            mb_t8x8: core::mem::take(&mut self.mb_t8x8),
            mb_kind: core::mem::take(&mut self.mb_kind),
            bzero: core::mem::take(&mut self.bzero),
            sc_cat: core::mem::take(&mut self.sc_cat),
            sc_cbp: core::mem::take(&mut self.sc_cbp),
            sc_cmode: core::mem::take(&mut self.sc_cmode),
            sc_nzc: core::mem::take(&mut self.sc_nzc),
            sc_cbfdc: core::mem::take(&mut self.sc_cbfdc),
            sc_skip: core::mem::take(&mut self.sc_skip),
            sc_ref: core::mem::take(&mut self.sc_ref),
            sc_mvd: core::mem::take(&mut self.sc_mvd),
            sc_ref1: core::mem::take(&mut self.sc_ref1),
            sc_mvd1: core::mem::take(&mut self.sc_mvd1),
            sc_direct: core::mem::take(&mut self.sc_direct),
            ref_poc0: core::mem::take(&mut self.ref_poc0),
            ref_poc1: core::mem::take(&mut self.ref_poc1),
        };
        (self.into_frame(crop_r, crop_b), pool)
    }

    pub fn into_frame(self, crop_r: usize, crop_b: usize) -> YuvFrame {
        // No cropping (the common case): the reconstruction planes ARE the output —
        // move them out instead of allocating + copying three full planes per frame.
        if crop_r == 0 && crop_b == 0 {
            return YuvFrame {
                width: self.cw,
                height: self.ch,
                y: self.rec_y,
                u: self.rec_u,
                v: self.rec_v,
            };
        }
        let dw = self.cw - 2 * crop_r;
        let dh = self.ch - 2 * crop_b;
        let mut y = vec![0u8; dw * dh];
        for row in 0..dh {
            y[row * dw..row * dw + dw]
                .copy_from_slice(&self.rec_y[row * self.cw..row * self.cw + dw]);
        }
        let (cdw, cdh) = (dw / 2, dh / 2);
        let mut u = vec![0u8; cdw * cdh];
        let mut v = vec![0u8; cdw * cdh];
        for row in 0..cdh {
            u[row * cdw..row * cdw + cdw]
                .copy_from_slice(&self.rec_u[row * self.ccw..row * self.ccw + cdw]);
            v[row * cdw..row * cdw + cdw]
                .copy_from_slice(&self.rec_v[row * self.ccw..row * self.ccw + cdw]);
        }
        let _ = self.cch;
        YuvFrame {
            width: dw,
            height: dh,
            y,
            u,
            v,
        }
    }
}

/// Reads `ref_idx_l0` as `te(v)` with range `num_ref_active - 1`: a single flag
/// when exactly two references are active (cMax == 1), else `ue(v)`.
// ---- CABAC binarization engine helpers (openh264 cabac_decoder.cpp) ----

/// Unary bin (`DecodeUnaryBinCabac`): bin0 at `ctx`; if 1, count bins at `ctx+off`
/// (including the terminating 0) until a 0.
/// CAVLC `mvd_lX` with a sanity bound. `se(v)` can legally code ±2^31-1, but
/// every profile/level caps |MV| far below ±2^17 quarter-pel units; beyond
/// that is a corrupt stream, and the unchecked `pmv + mvd` addition would
/// overflow i32 (debug panic / release wrap into an absurd vector).
fn read_mvd(r: &mut BitReader) -> Result<i32, MbError> {
    let v = r.read_se()?;
    if v.unsigned_abs() > (1 << 17) {
        return Err(MbError::Truncated);
    }
    Ok(v)
}

type Eng = crate::cabac::Engine;
type Ctx = crate::cabac::Ctx;

fn cabac_unary(e: &mut Eng, data: &[u8], ctx: &mut Ctx, c: usize, off: usize) -> u32 {
    if e.decode_decision(data, ctx, c) == 0 {
        return 0;
    }
    let mut sym = 0;
    loop {
        let bin = e.decode_decision(data, ctx, c + off);
        sym += 1;
        // Cap the unary run: no valid H.264 element coded through this helper
        // (mb_qp_delta) exceeds a few dozen bins, but on malformed / buffer-exhausted
        // input the arithmetic engine keeps yielding 1s (it zero-fills past the end),
        // which would loop forever. 512 is far beyond any legal value.
        if bin == 0 || sym >= 512 {
            break;
        }
    }
    sym
}

/// k-th order Exp-Golomb in bypass (`DecodeExpBypassCabac`). Out of line (it is the
/// rare escape arm of levels and mvds), so it takes the engine BY VALUE and hands
/// it back: a `&mut Engine` here would be the one address escape in the hot
/// callers and LLVM would then home their engine copy on the stack for EVERY bin.
#[inline(never)]
fn cabac_exp_bypass(mut e: Eng, data: &[u8], mut count: i32) -> (u32, Eng) {
    let mut sym = 0u32;
    loop {
        let c = e.decode_bypass(data);
        if c == 1 {
            sym += 1 << count;
            count += 1;
        }
        if c == 0 || count == 16 {
            break;
        }
    }
    let mut sym2 = 0u32;
    while count > 0 {
        count -= 1;
        if e.decode_bypass(data) != 0 {
            sym2 |= 1 << count;
        }
    }
    (sym + sym2, e)
}

/// UEG0 coeff-level suffix (`DecodeUEGLevelCabac`): TU prefix at `c` (<=13) then an
/// EG0 bypass suffix. INLINED ALWAYS into the four residual-parser instantiations:
/// out of line it took `&mut Engine`, which put the engine back in memory for
/// every level >= 2 and spilled the caller around the call.
#[inline(always)]
fn cabac_ueg_level(e: &mut Eng, data: &[u8], ctx: &mut Ctx, c: usize) -> u32 {
    if e.decode_decision(data, ctx, c) == 0 {
        return 0;
    }
    let mut code = 0u32;
    let mut tmp;
    loop {
        tmp = e.decode_decision(data, ctx, c);
        code += 1;
        if tmp == 0 || code == 12 {
            break;
        }
    }
    if tmp != 0 {
        let (v, e2) = cabac_exp_bypass(*e, data, 0);
        *e = e2;
        code += v + 1;
    }
    code
}

/// `mb_qp_delta` CABAC (`ParseDeltaQpCabac`): ctxIdxOffset 60, ctxInc = (prev delta != 0).
pub fn parse_mb_qp_delta_cabac(cab: &mut crate::cabac::Cabac, last_delta_qp: &mut i32) -> i32 {
    const O: usize = 60;
    let ctx_inc = (*last_delta_qp != 0) as usize;
    let mut qp_delta = 0;
    let (data, mut e, ctx) = cab.view();
    if e.decode_decision(data, ctx, O + ctx_inc) != 0 {
        let code = cabac_unary(&mut e, data, ctx, O + 2, 1) + 1;
        qp_delta = ((code + 1) >> 1) as i32;
        if code & 1 == 0 {
            qp_delta = -qp_delta;
        }
    }
    cab.commit(e);
    *last_delta_qp = qp_delta;
    qp_delta
}

// Shared CABAC residual glue tables (NZC_CACHE, RES_*) now live in
// `cabac_tables` — both coders read the ONE copy.
use rusty_h264_common::cabac_tables::{
    NZC_CACHE, RES_CBF, RES_MAP, RES_MAXC2, RES_MAXPOS, RES_ONE,
};
// res-property values (post GetMbResProperty, CABAC): the ctx-table index.
const RP_I16_DC: usize = 1;
const RP_I16_AC: usize = 2;
const RP_LUMA_4X4: usize = 3;
const RP_CHROMA_DC: usize = 7; // U (V=8, same offsets)
const RP_CHROMA_AC: usize = 9; // U (V=10, same offsets)
/// Luma 8×8 (ctxBlockCat 5). Its RES_MAP/RES_CBF entries stay 0: cat 5 does NOT
/// share the `105 + off` / `166 + off` context bases the 4×4 categories use — it
/// has its own absolute bases (402 sig, 417 last) and its own per-position
/// ctxIdxInc maps below. RES_ONE[6] = 199 IS used, because 227 + 199 = 426 and
/// 232 + 199 = 431 reproduce the spec's coeff_abs_level_minus1 base exactly, so
/// the level loop needs no special case at all.
const RP_LUMA_8X8: usize = 6;

// SIG8X8 / LAST8X8 moved to `rusty_h264_common::cabac_tables` (R6-1) so the encoder's
// ctxBlockCat 5 writer shares the exact spec data this reader is validated against.
use rusty_h264_common::cabac_tables::{LAST8X8, SIG8X8};

/// One residual block (openh264 `ParseResidualBlockCabac`), generic over the 5 CABAC
/// block categories. `rp` selects the context offsets. DC categories (I16 luma DC,
/// chroma DC) take the cbf context from the per-MB `cbf_dc` bitmask + neighbour MB DC
/// cbf; AC categories from the padded nzc cache. Returns totalCoeffNum.
#[allow(clippy::too_many_arguments)]
#[inline(always)]
fn residual_block_eng<const RP: usize, const N: usize>(
    e: &mut Eng,
    data: &[u8],
    ctx: &mut Ctx,
    nzc: &mut [u8; 48],
    cbf_dc: &mut u16,
    iz: usize,
    plane: usize,
    is_intra: bool,
    ndc: (u16, u16),    // resolved neighbour DC cbf words (see `resolve_ndc`)
    out: &mut [i32; N], // scan-order coefficients written here (fresh-zero on entry)
) -> u32 {
    // CONST-GENERIC over the block category (`RP`, one of the RP_* literals every
    // call site already passed) and the block length (`N` = 4 / 16 / 64): the
    // category tests, the five `RES_*` table reads, the 8x8 map selects and the
    // output bound all fold at compile time. Chroma U/V share every table
    // entry (RES_*[7] == RES_*[8], RES_*[9] == RES_*[10]); only the cbf_dc bit
    // differs, so the plane rides in `plane` (0 for luma categories).
    const { assert!(N == 4 || N == 16 || N == 64) };
    // The CABAC residual parse IS the entropy stage of the decoder on Main-profile
    // streams -- it was invisible (a ~47% residue) until this scope named it.
    let _g = rusty_h264_common::prof::scope(rusty_h264_common::prof::Stage::Entropy);
    // ---- coded_block_flag ----
    // ctxBlockCat 5 is the ONLY category with no coded_block_flag: its presence is
    // inferred from CodedBlockPatternLuma, so parsing one here would desync.
    let is8 = RP == RP_LUMA_8X8;
    let is_dc = RP == RP_I16_DC || RP == RP_CHROMA_DC;
    let bit = RP + plane;
    let (mut na, mut nb) = (is_intra as u8, is_intra as u8);
    // `nzc` is [u8; 48] and every `NZC_CACHE` entry lies in [9, 47], so this
    // clamp is a semantic no-op that hands LLVM BOTH bounds - which is what
    // makes `nzc[scan]`, `nzc[scan - 8]` and `nzc[scan - 1]` below provable
    // instead of three bounds checks. Same trick as `parse_mvd_partition`.
    let scan = NZC_CACHE[iz.min(23)].clamp(8, 47);
    if is_dc {
        nb = ((ndc.0 >> bit) & 1) as u8;
        na = ((ndc.1 >> bit) & 1) as u8;
    } else {
        let (nbc, nac) = (nzc[scan - 8], nzc[scan - 1]);
        if nbc != 0xff {
            nb = (nbc != 0) as u8;
        }
        if nac != 0xff {
            na = (nac != 0) as u8;
        }
    }
    if !is8 {
        let _sg = rusty_h264_common::prof::scope(rusty_h264_common::prof::Stage::EntCbf);
        let cbf = e.decode_decision(data, ctx, 85 + RES_CBF[RP] + (na + (nb << 1)) as usize);
        if cbf == 0 {
            if !is_dc {
                nzc[scan] = 0;
            }
            return 0;
        }
        if is_dc {
            *cbf_dc |= 1 << bit;
        }
    }
    // ---- significance map ----
    let maxpos = RES_MAXPOS[RP] as usize;
    debug_assert!(maxpos < N);
    // cat 5 uses its own absolute bases; the 4x4 categories share 105/166 + offset.
    let (map, last) = if is8 {
        (402, 417)
    } else {
        let m = RES_MAP[RP];
        (105 + m, 166 + m)
    };
    // SPARSE significance map: record each significant POSITION in `pos[..n]`.
    // Bin ORDER is unchanged: levels are decoded at descending significant
    // positions, which is exactly `pos[..n]` reversed. `pos` is sized to the
    // block (N), not 64: a 4x4 block zeroes 16 bytes, not 64.
    //
    // CONTRACT with the callers (all 10 sites): `out` is freshly zeroed, so
    // writing only the significant entries leaves the same contents a dense
    // copy would produce. A reused non-zero `out` would be a correctness bug.
    // Significant positions as a BITMASK (bit i = scan position i): one OR per
    // significant coefficient instead of a store + count increment into a
    // zero-initialised array; the level loop walks the set bits from the top
    // (descending positions = the spec order).
    let mut sig = 0u64;
    let mut last_hit = false;
    let _sg = rusty_h264_common::prof::scope(rusty_h264_common::prof::Stage::EntSig);
    // 4x4: ctxIdxInc IS the scan position. 8x8: it comes from the folded maps.
    // NOTE (4:2:2 landmine): `(i, i)` is correct for every 4:2:0 category
    // only because chroma-DC (cat 3) has NumC8x8 == 1 here; spec 9.3.3.1.3
    // wants `Min(i / NumC8x8, 2)` for its sig/last ctxIdxInc, which
    // diverges the day 4:2:2 (NumC8x8 == 2) is admitted.
    for i in 0..maxpos {
        // Both maps are [u8; 64] and `i < maxpos <= 63`: `& 63` folds the checks.
        let (mi, li) = if is8 {
            (
                (SIG8X8[i & 63] & 15) as usize,
                (LAST8X8[i & 63] & 15) as usize,
            )
        } else {
            (i, i)
        };
        if e.decode_decision(data, ctx, map + mi) != 0 {
            // `n <= maxpos < N` at every write: `& (N - 1)` is the own bound of `pos`.
            sig |= 1u64 << i;
            if e.decode_decision(data, ctx, last + li) != 0 {
                last_hit = true;
                break;
            }
        }
    }
    if !last_hit {
        sig |= 1u64 << maxpos;
    }
    let coeff_num = sig.count_ones();
    // ---- levels ----
    let one = 227 + RES_ONE[RP];
    let abs = one + 5;
    // `usize` with visible `min` bounds: as i32 the casts hid the ranges and every
    // `one + c1` / `abs + c2` context index kept its `& 511` (one op per bin).
    let maxc2 = RES_MAXC2[RP] as usize;
    let (mut c1, mut c2) = (1usize, 0usize);
    drop(_sg);
    let _lg = rusty_h264_common::prof::scope(rusty_h264_common::prof::Stage::EntLvl);
    let mut m = sig;
    while m != 0 {
        let i = 63 - m.leading_zeros() as usize;
        m &= !(1u64 << i);
        let mut level = 1 + e.decode_decision(data, ctx, one + c1) as i32;
        if level == 2 {
            level += cabac_ueg_level(e, data, ctx, abs + c2) as i32;
            c2 = (c2 + 1).min(maxc2);
            c1 = 0;
        } else if c1 != 0 {
            c1 = (c1 + 1).min(4);
        }
        if e.decode_bypass_sign() != 0 {
            level = -level;
        }
        // `out` is `[i32; N]` and every recorded position is <= maxpos < N, so
        // `& (N - 1)` is the own bound of the array -- a proof, not a relocation
        // (the runtime-length-slice form this replaces needed `.get_mut`).
        out[i & (N - 1)] = level;
    }
    if is8 {
        // One 8x8 covers four consecutive z-order 4x4 cells. Every later
        // coded_block_flag ctxIdxInc reads this cache, so all four must carry the
        // count -- writing only `scan` would corrupt the contexts of the NEXT
        // macroblock.
        let cn = coeff_num as u8;
        for k in 0..4 {
            nzc[NZC_CACHE[(iz + k).min(23)].min(47)] = cn;
        }
    } else if !is_dc {
        nzc[scan] = coeff_num as u8;
    }
    coeff_num
}

/// Where a macroblock residual parse writes: plain arrays whose UNCODED blocks
/// are stale by contract (every consumer reads a block only when its `nnzs`
/// entry is nonzero, or copies the prediction). The parse zeroes exactly the
/// blocks it is about to write.
struct ResidualOut<'a> {
    luma: &'a mut [[i32; 16]; 16],
    luma8: &'a mut [[i32; 64]; 4],
    cdc: &'a mut [[i32; 4]; 2],
    cac: &'a mut [[[i32; 16]; 4]; 2],
    /// Per-block totalCoeff, `iz`-indexed; must be zero on entry.
    nnzs: &'a mut [u8; 24],
}

/// The neighbour-record form of a macroblock per-block coefficient counts:
/// luma in RASTER order (from the z-order `nnzs`, via G_SCAN4, which is its own
/// inverse) and chroma Cb/Cr in the interleaved slot order the readers expect.
/// Uncoded blocks are already 0 in `nnzs`, so the 0xff->0 scrub of the old
/// cache-based export is gone with the 24 scattered cache reads.
/// Explicit-weighted-prediction sample: `((s*w + round) >> denom) + o`, clipped.
#[inline(always)]
fn weight_sample(sample: u8, w: i32, o: i32, denom: i32) -> u8 {
    let v = if denom >= 1 {
        ((sample as i32 * w + (1 << (denom - 1))) >> denom) + o
    } else {
        sample as i32 * w + o
    };
    v.clamp(0, 255) as u8
}

/// CONST-WIDTH rows of the weighted-prediction loop (SIMD census 2026-09-05,
/// finding #9). The two recon twins carried the IDENTICAL runtime-width loop
/// (`for dx in 0..rw` over a masked index) and LLVM vectorised it to 500 packed
/// ops in one inlining context and 53 in the other. A partition width is one
/// of 16/8/4 (chroma 8/4/2); handing LLVM the trip count makes both contexts
/// vectorise the same way. One row slice per row instead of a masked index per
/// sample; the sample formula is unchanged.
#[inline(always)]
fn weight_rows<const W: usize>(
    plane: &mut [u8],
    stride: usize,
    rx: usize,
    ry: usize,
    rh: usize,
    w: i32,
    o: i32,
    denom: i32,
) {
    for dy in 0..rh {
        let row = &mut plane[(ry + dy) * stride + rx..][..W];
        for s in row.iter_mut() {
            *s = weight_sample(*s, w, o, denom);
        }
    }
}

#[allow(clippy::too_many_arguments)]
#[inline]
fn weight_block(
    plane: &mut [u8],
    stride: usize,
    rx: usize,
    ry: usize,
    rw: usize,
    rh: usize,
    w: i32,
    o: i32,
    denom: i32,
) {
    match rw {
        16 => weight_rows::<16>(plane, stride, rx, ry, rh, w, o, denom),
        8 => weight_rows::<8>(plane, stride, rx, ry, rh, w, o, denom),
        4 => weight_rows::<4>(plane, stride, rx, ry, rh, w, o, denom),
        2 => weight_rows::<2>(plane, stride, rx, ry, rh, w, o, denom),
        _ => {
            for dy in 0..rh {
                for dx in 0..rw {
                    let i = (ry + dy) * stride + rx + dx;
                    if let Some(s) = plane.get_mut(i) {
                        *s = weight_sample(*s, w, o, denom);
                    }
                }
            }
        }
    }
}

/// Residual class of an intra 4x4 block (see `FrameDecoder::i4_prepare`).
#[derive(Clone, Copy)]
enum I4Res {
    Zero,
    Flat(i32),
    Idx(u8),
}

/// z-order index of the 4x4 block at raster (x, y) -- inverse of `LUMA_4X4_SCAN_XY`.
const I4_Z_OF_XY: [[usize; 4]; 4] = {
    let mut t = [[0usize; 4]; 4];
    let mut i = 0;
    while i < 16 {
        let (x, y) = LUMA_4X4_SCAN_XY[i];
        t[y][x] = i;
        i += 1;
    }
    t
};
/// Bit i set iff the top-right 4x4 neighbour of z-order block i lies INSIDE the
/// macroblock and is already reconstructed when block i is (spec 6.4.11.4 via the
/// decode order): the classic i4x4 top-right availability table, here derived from
/// the scan table at compile time instead of hand-typed.
const I4_TR_IN_MB: u16 = {
    let mut m = 0u16;
    let mut i = 0;
    while i < 16 {
        let (x, y) = LUMA_4X4_SCAN_XY[i];
        if y > 0 && x < 3 && I4_Z_OF_XY[y - 1][x + 1] < i {
            m |= 1 << i;
        }
        i += 1;
    }
    m
};

// SPARSE-vs-DENSE DEQUANT ROUTE (routing round C, 2026-09-05): the DQROUTE census
// (scatter = 37 + 6L + 9nnz vs dense-AVX2 ~60; crowd 134.8M -> 80.3M instrs / 60 f)
// retired the scan-walking scatter; every coded block now takes the FUSED
// scan-order kernel (`reconstruct_4x4_scan_into`: un-scan + dequant + IDCT + add).
// The (nnz, L) histogram tap `edcstat::dq_note` stays for the next route question.

/// Neighbour DC coded_block_flags as plain bit words: an unavailable neighbour
/// contributes the intra default for EVERY category, so the per-block
/// `Option` test becomes one shift. Resolved once per macroblock.
#[inline(always)]
fn resolve_ndc(ndc: (Option<u16>, Option<u16>), is_intra: bool) -> (u16, u16) {
    let d = if is_intra { 0xFFFF } else { 0 };
    (ndc.0.unwrap_or(d), ndc.1.unwrap_or(d))
}

/// The WHOLE residual of one non-I16 macroblock (luma 4x4 or 8x8 by cbp bit,
/// chroma DC, chroma AC) on ONE engine view. The block body is inlined here,
/// so a macroblock costs one call and one engine load/store, where each block
/// used to pay a call, eight arguments (five on the stack), an eight-register
/// prologue/epilogue and its own view/commit round trip -- ~40 instructions
/// per block beside the bins, on 7-24 blocks per coded macroblock.
#[allow(clippy::too_many_arguments)]
fn parse_mb_residual_cabac<const INTRA: bool>(
    cab: &mut crate::cabac::Cabac,
    nzc: &mut [u8; 48],
    cbf_dc: &mut u16,
    ndc: (Option<u16>, Option<u16>),
    cbp_luma: u32,
    cbp_chroma: u32,
    t8: bool,
    o: ResidualOut,
) {
    // INTRA is a const generic: the cbf defaults and the neighbour-word resolve
    // fold per instantiation (every call site passes a literal).
    let is_intra = INTRA;
    let nd = resolve_ndc(ndc, INTRA);
    let (data, mut e, ctx) = cab.view();
    for id8 in 0..4usize {
        if cbp_luma & (1 << id8) != 0 {
            if t8 {
                // ctxBlockCat 5: one 64-coefficient block per 8x8, no cbf. All
                // four nnzs slots carry the 8x8 total (the recon reads one per cell).
                o.luma8[id8] = [0i32; 64];
                let n = residual_block_eng::<RP_LUMA_8X8, 64>(
                    &mut e,
                    data,
                    ctx,
                    nzc,
                    cbf_dc,
                    id8 * 4,
                    0,
                    is_intra,
                    nd,
                    &mut o.luma8[id8],
                ) as u8;
                o.nnzs[id8 * 4..id8 * 4 + 4].fill(n);
            } else {
                o.luma[id8 * 4..id8 * 4 + 4].fill([0i32; 16]);
                for id4 in 0..4usize {
                    let iz = id8 * 4 + id4;
                    o.nnzs[iz] = residual_block_eng::<RP_LUMA_4X4, 16>(
                        &mut e,
                        data,
                        ctx,
                        nzc,
                        cbf_dc,
                        iz,
                        0,
                        is_intra,
                        nd,
                        &mut o.luma[iz],
                    ) as u8;
                }
            }
        } else {
            for k in 0..4 {
                nzc[NZC_CACHE[(id8 * 4 + k).min(23)].min(47)] = 0;
            }
        }
    }
    if cbp_chroma >= 1 {
        *o.cdc = [[0i32; 4]; 2];
        for i in 0..2usize {
            residual_block_eng::<RP_CHROMA_DC, 4>(
                &mut e,
                data,
                ctx,
                nzc,
                cbf_dc,
                16 + i * 4,
                i,
                is_intra,
                nd,
                &mut o.cdc[i],
            );
        }
    }
    if cbp_chroma == 2 {
        *o.cac = [[[0i32; 16]; 4]; 2];
        for i in 0..2usize {
            for id4 in 0..4usize {
                o.nnzs[16 + i * 4 + id4] = residual_block_eng::<RP_CHROMA_AC, 16>(
                    &mut e,
                    data,
                    ctx,
                    nzc,
                    cbf_dc,
                    16 + i * 4 + id4,
                    i,
                    is_intra,
                    nd,
                    &mut o.cac[i][id4],
                ) as u8;
            }
        }
    }
    cab.commit(e);
}

// ============================================================================
// Entropy-decouple E2: the OWNED pixel context that crosses the thread
// boundary (docs/entropy-decouple-plan.md). The worker owns the planes, the
// backup rows, the DPB Arcs and its own qp/t8/bs grids (fed by Row messages);
// the parse thread keeps every syntax grid. The methods below are ports of
// the FrameDecoder pixel halves — grid writes removed (parse commits its own
// grids), motion carried in the job instead of re-gathered.
// ============================================================================

/// The committed-value class of a deferred B_Skip span. Continuation
/// requires kind EQUALITY: the flush range-fills grids and recons the band
/// from these values alone.
#[derive(Clone, Copy, PartialEq, Eq)]
enum BzKind {
    /// ref 0 both lists, (0,0)/(0,0) — band = avg of both padded refs.
    ZeroBi,
    /// One active list at (0,0): (list, clamped ref index) — band = memcpy.
    ZeroUni(u8, u8),
    /// Uniform full-pel direct: clamped refs (-1 = inactive) + adjusted MVs,
    /// windows PREVALIDATED per MB at push (contiguous tiles ⇒ the union
    /// window is valid) — band = offset copy/avg. Chroma requires mv%8==0
    /// (also prevalidated).
    Fp {
        r0: i8,
        r1: i8,
        m0: (i16, i16),
        m1: (i16, i16),
    },
}

/// Messages from the parse thread to the pixel worker.
enum EdcMsg {
    Job(EdcJob),
    /// A ROW's worth of pixel jobs in one message (D10).
    ///
    /// The seam sent ONE message per macroblock: 208k sends per 60-frame pass
    /// against 2,596 rows. The overhead is per-JOB (channel lock, park/unpark)
    /// while the prize is proportional to pixel WORK, so the per-job send was
    /// dividing the payoff by ~80 for nothing. Batching per row cuts the
    /// synchronisation events by that factor and moves not one byte of pixel
    /// work off the worker.
    ///
    /// ORDER IS THE CORRECTNESS CONDITION: the worker must see a row's jobs
    /// before that row's `Row` filter message, so the batch is flushed at every
    /// row boundary, before `NeedCtx`, and at slice end.
    Batch(Vec<EdcJob>),
    /// A macroblock row finished parsing: install its qp/t8/bs and filter it.
    Row {
        r: usize,
        bs: Vec<rusty_h264_common::deblock::MbBs>,
        qp: Vec<u8>,
        t8: Vec<bool>,
    },
    /// An intra macroblock needs the planes on the parse thread: send the
    /// context over and wait for it to come back.
    NeedCtx,
}

pub(crate) struct PixelCtx {
    rec_y: Vec<u8>,
    rec_u: Vec<u8>,
    rec_v: Vec<u8>,
    bak_y: Vec<u8>,
    bak_u: Vec<u8>,
    bak_v: Vec<u8>,
    refs: Vec<crate::Ref>,
    refs1: Vec<crate::Ref>,
    weights: Option<WeightTable>,
    /// `weights.list_identity(0)`, cached - mirrors `FrameDecoder::weights_l0id`
    /// so the worker twin does not have to walk the table per macroblock.
    weights_l0id: bool,
    scaling: Option<[[i32; 16]; 6]>,
    scaling8: Option<[[i32; 64]; 2]>,
    cw: usize,
    ccw: usize,
    mb_w: usize,
    mb_h: usize,
    chroma_qp_offset: i32,
    flt_rows: usize,
    db_ena: bool,
    db_oa: i32,
    db_ob: i32,
    cur_qp: u8,
    qp_grid: Vec<u8>,
    t8_grid: Vec<bool>,
    bs_store: Vec<rusty_h264_common::deblock::MbBs>,
    /// Frame-MT Phase B progress Arc (row publish from the EDC worker).
    progress: Option<crate::Ref>,
}

impl PixelCtx {
    /// Frame-MT Phase B: copy filtered MB rows into the shared progress Arc.
    fn publish_progress_rows(&self) {
        let Some(slot) = &self.progress else {
            return;
        };
        if !self.db_ena || self.flt_rows == 0 {
            return;
        }
        publish_filtered_rows_to_slot(
            slot,
            &self.rec_y,
            &self.rec_u,
            &self.rec_v,
            self.cw,
            self.ccw,
            self.mb_h * 16,
            self.flt_rows,
        );
    }

    fn chroma_qp_for(&self, qp: u8) -> u8 {
        rusty_h264_common::predict::chroma_qp(
            ((qp as i32 + self.chroma_qp_offset).clamp(0, 51)) as u8,
        )
    }

    /// Per-(qp, list) dequant constants for the fused scan-order kernel (worker twin).
    #[inline]
    fn dq_const(&self, qp: u8, list: usize) -> DequantQp {
        match &self.scaling {
            Some(s) => DequantQp::weighted(qp, &s[list]),
            None => DQ_FLAT[(qp as usize).min(51)],
        }
    }

    fn dequant_dc4(&self, level: i32, qp: u8, list: usize) -> i32 {
        rusty_h264_common::transform::dequantize_dc4(
            level,
            qp,
            self.scaling.as_ref().map(|sc| sc[list][0]),
        )
    }

    fn inv_quant8(&self, raster: &[i32; 64], qp: u8, list: usize) -> [i32; 64] {
        // Prebuilt per-(qp, list) constants: the flat table at zero cost, or one
        // 64-entry build per macroblock for scaling lists (was 64 x two lookups +
        // a multiply per coefficient on every block).
        match &self.scaling8 {
            Some(s) => inverse_quant_8x8_dq(raster, &Dequant8Qp::build(qp, &s[list])),
            None => inverse_quant_8x8_dq(raster, &DQ8_FLAT[(qp as usize).min(51)]),
        }
    }

    fn dequant_chroma_dc(&self, levels: &[i32; 4], qp: u8, list: usize) -> [i32; 4] {
        match &self.scaling {
            Some(sc) => inverse_quant_chroma_dc_weighted(levels, qp, sc[list][0]),
            None => inverse_quant_chroma_dc(levels, qp),
        }
    }

    fn weight_partition(
        &self,
        pred_y: &mut [u8; 256],
        c_pred: &mut [[u8; 64]; 2],
        list: usize,
        refi: usize,
        rx: usize,
        ry: usize,
        rw: usize,
        rh: usize,
    ) {
        let Some(wt) = &self.weights else { return };
        // REFUTED, reverted: row-slicing these loops measured +28% instructions
        // on `weight_partition` (the extents are runtime values, so the slice
        // bounds cost more than the per-sample checks they replaced). The real
        // win for this function was hoisting the identity test to its CALLERS,
        // which stands.
        // RESOLVE ONCE, APPLY MANY. `apply_luma` re-read `self.luma[list][refi]`
        // — an array index, a Vec deref and an element index, two of them bounds
        // checked — on EVERY sample, up to 256 luma plus 128 chroma per call.
        // The weight is a property of the partition, not of the pixel. (The loop
        // SHAPE is untouched: row-slicing it is refuted above.)
        // MASKED, not row-sliced. `pred_y` is a fixed `[u8; 256]` and `c_pred` a
        // `[[u8; 64]; 2]`, so `& 255` / `& 63` are no-ops that prove the index
        // outright — where SLICING these loops cost +28% (the extents are runtime
        // values, so the slice bounds outweigh the checks). Same lesson as
        // `luma_centre`: the refutation was of one SHAPE, not of the goal.
        let (lw, lo) = wt.luma_wo(list, refi);
        weight_block(pred_y, 16, rx, ry, rw, rh, lw, lo, wt.luma_log2_denom);
        let (crx, cry, crw, crh) = (rx / 2, ry / 2, rw / 2, rh / 2);
        for cc in 0..2 {
            let (cw, co) = wt.chroma_wo(list, refi, cc);
            weight_block(
                &mut c_pred[cc & 1],
                8,
                crx,
                cry,
                crw,
                crh,
                cw,
                co,
                wt.chroma_log2_denom,
            );
        }
    }

    fn recon_p_inter(&mut self, j: &PInterJob) {
        crate::RefFrame::set_mc_row_need(j.mby, self.mb_h * 16);
        // `add_inter_residual` reads `self.cur_qp`; unlike the FrameDecoder copy
        // (which interleaves with parsing and must save/restore), every PixelCtx
        // job sets it from the job before any reader, so no restore is needed.
        self.cur_qp = j.qp;
        // ---- Recon: motion-comp (per 4×4 luma / co-located 2×2 chroma using the
        // committed grid MV — the 6-tap/bilinear filter is per-output-pixel, so
        // per-block MC is bit-identical to per-partition MC) + residual add via the
        // SAME reconstruct_4x4 as intra, with the MC output as the prediction.
        let mut pred_y = [0u8; 256];
        let mut c_pred = [[0u8; 64]; 2];
        {
            // MC-CALL COALESCING (side-by-side descent, dec target #2): the old
            // loop paid 16 mc_luma(4×4) + 32 mc_chroma(2×2) per MB regardless of
            // partitioning — 48 calls even for a single-MV 16×16 MB, and the
            // per-call glue around 2.4M calls was ~40% of decoding real-world
            // (x264) streams. The 6-tap/bilinear filters are per-output-pixel,
            // so merging blocks with equal (mv, ref) into one wider MC call is
            // BIT-IDENTICAL; the rect ladder mirrors the partition shapes.
            let _ms = rusty_h264_common::prof::scope(rusty_h264_common::prof::Stage::DecMcStage);
            let (rh16, cch) = (self.mb_h * 16, self.mb_h * 8);
            // E2: the worker owns no syntax grids — the job carries the
            // committed per-block motion (filled at parse time).
            let gmv = j.gmv;
            let mut gref = [0usize; 16];
            for k in 0..16 {
                gref[k] = (j.gref[k] as usize).min(self.refs.len() - 1);
            }
            // All blocks of the rect (in 4×4-block units) match its top-left?
            let rect_eq = |x4: usize, y4: usize, w4: usize, h4: usize| -> bool {
                let t = y4 * 4 + x4;
                (0..h4).all(|dy| {
                    (0..w4).all(|dx| {
                        let b = ((y4 + dy) * 4 + (x4 + dx)) & 15;
                        gmv[b] == gmv[t] && gref[b] == gref[t]
                    })
                })
            };
            let refs = &self.refs;
            let (cw, ccw) = (self.cw, self.ccw);
            let mc_rect = |x4: usize,
                           y4: usize,
                           w4: usize,
                           h4: usize,
                           pred_y: &mut [u8; 256],
                           c_pred: &mut [[u8; 64]; 2]| {
                let b = y4 * 4 + x4;
                let (mv, gr) = (gmv[b & 15], gref[b & 15]);
                // `gref` holds a reference-list slot; a slot the list
                // does not have means there is nothing to predict from,
                // so the rect is left as it stands.
                let Some(reference) = refs.get(gr) else {
                    return;
                };
                let (w, h) = (w4 * 4, h4 * 4);
                // A FULL-WIDTH rect (w == 16, so x4 == 0) occupies contiguous
                // whole rows of `pred_y` — the MC output layout and the
                // destination layout coincide, so MC writes the prediction
                // buffer DIRECTLY. The staging copy exists only for narrow
                // rects, whose rows really are strided in `pred_y`. This is
                // the diagnosis's "stage-boundary materialization" tax paid
                // by the dominant 16×16/16×8 shapes: 256 B of `t` zeroing
                // plus a 256 B copy per rect, for nothing.
                if w == 16 {
                    rusty_h264_common::inter::with_mc_scratch(|scr| {
                        rusty_h264_common::inter::mc_luma_padded_pre(
                            scr,
                            &*reference.luma_guard(reference.ch),
                            reference.lstride(),
                            crate::LPAD,
                            cw,
                            rh16,
                            j.mbx * 16,
                            j.mby * 16 + y4 * 4,
                            w,
                            h,
                            mv.0,
                            mv.1,
                            &mut pred_y[y4 * 64..y4 * 64 + w * h],
                        )
                    });
                } else {
                    let mut t = [0u8; 256];
                    rusty_h264_common::inter::with_mc_scratch(|scr| {
                        rusty_h264_common::inter::mc_luma_padded_pre(
                            scr,
                            &*reference.luma_guard(reference.ch),
                            reference.lstride(),
                            crate::LPAD,
                            cw,
                            rh16,
                            j.mbx * 16 + x4 * 4,
                            j.mby * 16 + y4 * 4,
                            w,
                            h,
                            mv.0,
                            mv.1,
                            &mut t[..w * h],
                        )
                    });
                    let _pb =
                        rusty_h264_common::prof::scope(rusty_h264_common::prof::Stage::PredBuf);
                    for dy in 0..h {
                        pred_y[(y4 * 4 + dy) * 16 + x4 * 4..][..w]
                            .copy_from_slice(&t[dy * w..dy * w + w]);
                    }
                }
                let (cw4, ch4) = (w4 * 2, h4 * 2);
                let nc = cw4 * ch4;
                let (gu, gv) = (
                    reference.chroma_guard(0, reference.ch),
                    reference.chroma_guard(1, reference.ch),
                );
                // U+V paired: one setup serves both planes (see
                // mc_chroma_padded_pair). Full-width coincidence:
                // cw4 == 8 rows are contiguous in the 8-wide plane.
                if cw4 == 8 {
                    let [cu, cv] = &mut *c_pred;
                    rusty_h264_common::inter::mc_chroma_padded_pair(
                        &gu,
                        &gv,
                        reference.cstride(),
                        crate::CPAD,
                        ccw,
                        cch,
                        j.mbx * 8,
                        j.mby * 8 + y4 * 2,
                        cw4,
                        ch4,
                        mv.0,
                        mv.1,
                        &mut cu[y4 * 16..y4 * 16 + nc],
                        &mut cv[y4 * 16..y4 * 16 + nc],
                    );
                } else {
                    let (mut tu, mut tv) = ([0u8; 64], [0u8; 64]);
                    rusty_h264_common::inter::mc_chroma_padded_pair(
                        &gu,
                        &gv,
                        reference.cstride(),
                        crate::CPAD,
                        ccw,
                        cch,
                        j.mbx * 8 + x4 * 2,
                        j.mby * 8 + y4 * 2,
                        cw4,
                        ch4,
                        mv.0,
                        mv.1,
                        &mut tu[..nc],
                        &mut tv[..nc],
                    );
                    let _pb =
                        rusty_h264_common::prof::scope(rusty_h264_common::prof::Stage::PredBuf);
                    for (cc, tc) in [(0usize, &tu), (1, &tv)] {
                        for dy in 0..ch4 {
                            c_pred[cc][(y4 * 2 + dy) * 8 + x4 * 2..][..cw4]
                                .copy_from_slice(&tc[dy * cw4..dy * cw4 + cw4]);
                        }
                    }
                }
            };
            if rect_eq(0, 0, 4, 4) {
                mc_rect(0, 0, 4, 4, &mut pred_y, &mut c_pred);
            } else if rect_eq(0, 0, 4, 2) && rect_eq(0, 2, 4, 2) {
                mc_rect(0, 0, 4, 2, &mut pred_y, &mut c_pred);
                mc_rect(0, 2, 4, 2, &mut pred_y, &mut c_pred);
            } else if rect_eq(0, 0, 2, 4) && rect_eq(2, 0, 2, 4) {
                mc_rect(0, 0, 2, 4, &mut pred_y, &mut c_pred);
                mc_rect(2, 0, 2, 4, &mut pred_y, &mut c_pred);
            } else {
                for q in 0..4usize {
                    let (qx, qy) = ((q % 2) * 2, (q / 2) * 2);
                    if rect_eq(qx, qy, 2, 2) {
                        mc_rect(qx, qy, 2, 2, &mut pred_y, &mut c_pred);
                    } else if rect_eq(qx, qy, 2, 1) && rect_eq(qx, qy + 1, 2, 1) {
                        mc_rect(qx, qy, 2, 1, &mut pred_y, &mut c_pred);
                        mc_rect(qx, qy + 1, 2, 1, &mut pred_y, &mut c_pred);
                    } else if rect_eq(qx, qy, 1, 2) && rect_eq(qx + 1, qy, 1, 2) {
                        mc_rect(qx, qy, 1, 2, &mut pred_y, &mut c_pred);
                        mc_rect(qx + 1, qy, 1, 2, &mut pred_y, &mut c_pred);
                    } else {
                        for j in 0..4usize {
                            mc_rect(qx + (j % 2), qy + (j / 2), 1, 1, &mut pred_y, &mut c_pred);
                        }
                    }
                }
            }
            // EXPLICIT WEIGHTED PREDICTION (spec 8.4.2.3). The CAVLC inter
            // path weights each partition after MC; the MC-call-coalescing
            // rewrite of this CABAC path lost it, and nothing caught that
            // because the effect is invisible unless a stream actually
            // carries non-default weights. x264's `weightp` DUPLICATES a
            // reference and distinguishes the copy ONLY by its weights, so
            // every macroblock picking the weighted index decoded unweighted
            // -- a silent, accumulating luma drift.
            //
            // Applied per 4x4 block rather than per partition: the weight
            // depends solely on the block's reference index, so the two are
            // equivalent, and `gref` already holds it for every block
            // regardless of which rect ladder rung ran.
            if self.weights.is_some() {
                for by in 0..4usize {
                    for bx in 0..4usize {
                        let refi = gref[by * 4 + bx];
                        self.weight_partition(
                            &mut pred_y,
                            &mut c_pred,
                            0,
                            refi,
                            bx * 4,
                            by * 4,
                            4,
                            4,
                        );
                    }
                }
            }
        }
        // Residual add — the SAME helper the B path uses (this inline
        // copy was a duplicate; deduped when the zero-block fast path
        // landed so both paths share it).
        self.add_inter_residual(
            j.mbx,
            j.mby,
            &pred_y,
            &c_pred,
            Some(&j.luma_scan),
            j.t8.then_some(&j.luma8),
            &j.cdc,
            Some(&j.cac),
            j.cbp_chroma,
            &j.nnzs,
        );
    }

    /// D9b: P inter with `cbp == 0` — MC + plane copy (worker twin of FrameDecoder).
    fn recon_p_inter_nores(&mut self, j: &PInterNoResJob) {
        let mut pred_y = [0u8; 256];
        let mut c_pred = [[0u8; 64]; 2];
        // `self.refs.len() - 1` was re-loaded on every one of the sixteen
        // iterations; it is a per-macroblock invariant. Written once, not
        // zeroed-then-filled.
        let nrefs = self.refs.len() - 1;
        let gref: [usize; 16] = core::array::from_fn(|k| (j.gref[k] as usize).min(nrefs));
        coalesce_p_inter_mc(
            &self.refs,
            self.cw,
            self.ccw,
            self.mb_h,
            j.mbx,
            j.mby,
            &j.gmv,
            &gref,
            &mut pred_y,
            &mut c_pred,
        );
        // The identity early-out lives INSIDE `weight_partition`, so an x264
        // stream - which carries a pred_weight_table in EVERY P slice, identity
        // outside fades - still paid sixteen calls per macroblock to be told
        // there was nothing to do. Hoisted to one test.
        if self.weights.is_some() && !self.weights_l0id {
            for by in 0..4usize {
                for bx in 0..4usize {
                    let refi = gref[by * 4 + bx];
                    self.weight_partition(&mut pred_y, &mut c_pred, 0, refi, bx * 4, by * 4, 4, 4);
                }
            }
        }
        // ONE span per plane: the destination is a stack of contiguous runs a
        // fixed stride apart, so the rows share a single bounds check instead of
        // one each (16 + 8 + 8 of them).
        let (cw, ccw) = (self.cw, self.ccw);
        let ybase = (j.mby * 16) * cw + j.mbx * 16;
        let ywin = &mut self.rec_y[ybase..ybase + 15 * cw + 16];
        for dy in 0..16 {
            ywin[dy * cw..dy * cw + 16].copy_from_slice(&pred_y[dy * 16..dy * 16 + 16]);
        }
        let cbase = (j.mby * 8) * ccw + j.mbx * 8;
        for c in 0..2 {
            let plane = if c == 0 {
                &mut self.rec_u
            } else {
                &mut self.rec_v
            };
            let cwin = &mut plane[cbase..cbase + 7 * ccw + 8];
            for dy in 0..8 {
                cwin[dy * ccw..dy * ccw + 8].copy_from_slice(&c_pred[c][dy * 8..dy * 8 + 8]);
            }
        }
    }

    fn recon_p_skip(&mut self, mb_x: usize, mb_y: usize, mv: (i32, i32)) {
        crate::RefFrame::set_mc_row_need(mb_y, self.mb_h * 16);
        let (ch, cch) = (self.mb_h * 16, self.mb_h * 8);

        let mut pred = [0u8; 256];
        let Some(rf0) = self.refs.first() else { return };
        mc_luma_padded(
            &*rf0.luma_guard(rf0.ch),
            rf0.lstride(),
            crate::LPAD,
            self.cw,
            ch,
            mb_x * 16,
            mb_y * 16,
            16,
            16,
            mv.0,
            mv.1,
            &mut pred,
        );
        if let Some(wt) = &self.weights {
            for p in pred.iter_mut() {
                *p = wt.apply_luma(*p, 0, 0);
            }
        }
        {
            let _g = rusty_h264_common::prof::scope(rusty_h264_common::prof::Stage::SkipRecon);
            // ONE span for the sixteen rows (see `recon_p_inter_nores`).
            let (cw, base) = (self.cw, (mb_y * 16) * self.cw + mb_x * 16);
            let win = &mut self.rec_y[base..base + 15 * cw + 16];
            for dy in 0..16 {
                win[dy * cw..dy * cw + 16].copy_from_slice(&pred[dy * 16..dy * 16 + 16]);
            }
        }
        for c in 0..2 {
            let mut pc = [0u8; 64];
            let Some(rf0) = self.refs.first() else { return };
            let rc = if c == 0 {
                &*rf0.chroma_guard(0, rf0.ch)
            } else {
                &*rf0.chroma_guard(1, rf0.ch)
            };
            mc_chroma_padded(
                rc,
                rf0.cstride(),
                crate::CPAD,
                self.ccw,
                cch,
                mb_x * 8,
                mb_y * 8,
                8,
                8,
                mv.0,
                mv.1,
                &mut pc,
            );
            if let Some(wt) = &self.weights {
                for p in pc.iter_mut() {
                    *p = wt.apply_chroma(*p, 0, 0, c);
                }
            }
            let plane = if c == 0 {
                &mut self.rec_u
            } else {
                &mut self.rec_v
            };
            for dy in 0..8 {
                let d = (mb_y * 8 + dy) * self.ccw + mb_x * 8;
                plane[d..d + 8].copy_from_slice(&pc[dy * 8..dy * 8 + 8]);
            }
        }
    }

    fn add_inter_residual(
        &mut self,
        mb_x: usize,
        mb_y: usize,
        pred_y: &[u8; 256],
        c_pred: &[[u8; 64]; 2],
        luma_scan: Option<&[[i32; 16]; 16]>,
        // `Some` when the macroblock carries transform_size_8x8_flag: four 8x8
        // blocks in 8x8 scan order, replacing the sixteen 4x4 luma blocks.
        luma8: Option<&[[i32; 64]; 4]>,
        cdc: &[[i32; 4]; 2],
        cac: Option<&[[[i32; 16]; 4]; 2]>,
        cbp_chroma: u32,
        // Parsed totalCoeff per block, indexed exactly as the parse's `iz`:
        // [0..16] luma 4x4 z-order (for t8, the 8x8 count sits at `id8*4`),
        // [16..24] chroma AC as `16 + c*4 + id4`. The parser already counted
        // every significant coefficient; re-deriving the counts here scanned
        // 16-64 array elements per block (~400 loads/MB) for information the
        // caller was holding — the diagnosis's stage-boundary re-derivation tax.
        nnzs: &[u8; 24],
    ) {
        // A `None` field means the parse wrote nothing there; every read below
        // is guarded by a zero-count test, so the shared zero plane is
        // read-equivalent to the per-macroblock zeroed stack array it replaces.
        let luma_scan = luma_scan.unwrap_or(&ZERO_LUMA_SCAN);
        let cac = cac.unwrap_or(&ZERO_CAC);
        let _g = rusty_h264_common::prof::scope(rusty_h264_common::prof::Stage::DecResidAdd);
        let qp = self.cur_qp;
        let qpc = self.chroma_qp_for(qp);
        if let Some(l8) = luma8 {
            // INTER 8x8 luma: same primitives the I_8x8 and CAVLC paths use.
            for b8 in 0..4usize {
                let (b8x, b8y) = (b8 % 2, b8 / 2);
                // Summed, not slot 0: with per-4x4 counts in the CAVLC case, slot 0
                // is only the first sub-block and can be 0 while the block is coded.
                let nnz: u32 = (0..4).map(|k| nnzs[b8 * 4 + k] as u32).sum();
                let (px, py) = (mb_x * 16 + b8x * 8, mb_y * 16 + b8y * 8);
                if nnz == 0 {
                    // Zero residual: recon == pred — same shortcut as the
                    // FrameDecoder twin.
                    edcstat::bump(&edcstat::T8_ZERO, 1);
                    for dy in 0..8 {
                        let d = (py + dy) * self.cw + px;
                        let po = (b8y * 8 + dy) * 16 + b8x * 8;
                        self.rec_y[d..d + 8].copy_from_slice(&pred_y[po..po + 8]);
                    }
                } else {
                    let raster = un_scan_8x8(&l8[b8]);
                    // list 1 = INTER 8x8 luma scaling list (0 is the intra one).
                    let res8 = self.inv_quant8(&raster, qp, 1);
                    let predb: [i32; 64] = core::array::from_fn(|i| {
                        pred_y[(b8y * 8 + i / 8) * 16 + (b8x * 8 + i % 8)] as i32
                    });
                    let recon = add_residual_8x8(&res8, &predb);
                    // Eight row copies. This wrote SIXTY-FOUR individually
                    // bounds-checked samples into the luma plane per coded 8x8
                    // block — the same shape whose fix carried `recon_i8_block`.
                    // Present in BOTH the main path and the EDC worker twin.
                    for dy in 0..8 {
                        let d = (py + dy) * self.cw + px;
                        self.rec_y[d..][..8].copy_from_slice(&recon[dy * 8..][..8]);
                    }
                }
            }
        }
        // RESIDUAL LADDER, then the SIMD IDCT+add kernel per parked block (SIMD census
        // 2026-09-05). The zero and DC-only ladders write the plane in the loop;
        // every other coded block parks its dequantised coefficients here and is
        // reconstructed by `reconstruct_4x4_into` = accel `idct4x4_add` (in-register
        // transposes, exact on i32). A lane-per-block BATCHED form was tried first
        // and lost on all-intra content: its scalar gathers cost more than the
        // butterflies they vectorised.
        let dq3 = self.dq_const(qp, 3);
        for (blk, &(lbx, lby)) in LUMA_4X4_SCAN_XY.iter().enumerate() {
            if luma8.is_some() {
                break;
            }
            let nnz = nnzs[blk];
            let cw = self.cw;
            let p_off = (lby * 4) * 16 + lbx * 4;
            let r_off = (mb_y * 4 + lby) * 4 * cw + (mb_x * 4 + lbx) * 4;
            if nnz == 0 {
                // Zero residual → recon == prediction EXACTLY (the integer IDCT is
                // linear so zeros map to zeros, and pred is already 0..=255) — copy
                // the pred rows straight into the plane. On real (sparse-cbp)
                // streams this is MOST of the 4×4 blocks.
                for r in 0..4 {
                    self.rec_y[r_off + r * cw..r_off + r * cw + 4]
                        .copy_from_slice(&pred_y[p_off + r * 16..p_off + r * 16 + 4]);
                }
                continue;
            }
            // DC-ONLY: the sole significant coefficient is scan position 0 (the
            // zig-zag starts at DC, and un_scan keeps it at raster 0), so the
            // whole dequant + IDCT collapses to one multiply and a flat add.
            if nnz == 1 && luma_scan[blk][0] != 0 {
                let f = self.dequant_dc4(luma_scan[blk][0], qp, 3);
                reconstruct_4x4_dc_into(
                    (f + 32) >> 6,
                    pred_y,
                    p_off,
                    16,
                    &mut self.rec_y,
                    r_off,
                    cw,
                );
            } else {
                // Fused un-scan + dequant over ONLY the significant coefficients,
                // then IDCT + add + clip straight into the plane — no `qb`, no
                // `deq`-from-dense, no `predb` gather, no `s`, no `store` call.
                //
                // HYBRID: the scatter walks scan positions with a data-dependent
                // branch per slot, which beats the branchless dense 16-multiply
                // loop only while the block is SPARSE. The DC/zero fast paths
                // already removed the sparsest blocks, so the population here
                // skews denser — above ~6 coefficients the dense loop wins.
                // FUSED: un-scan + dequant + IDCT + add in one kernel call (dense-over-scatter round).
                reconstruct_4x4_scan_into::<false>(
                    &luma_scan[blk],
                    &dq3,
                    0,
                    pred_y,
                    p_off,
                    16,
                    &mut self.rec_y,
                    r_off,
                    cw,
                );
            }
        }
        let mut c_dc = [[0i32; 4]; 2];
        if cbp_chroma != 0 {
            for c in 0..2 {
                c_dc[c] = self.dequant_chroma_dc(&cdc[c], qpc, 4 + c);
            }
        }
        let dqc = [self.dq_const(qpc, 4), self.dq_const(qpc, 5)];
        let ccw = self.ccw;
        for c in 0..2 {
            for &(bx, by) in &CHROMA_4X4_SCAN_XY {
                let mut ac_nz = false;
                if cbp_chroma == 2 {
                    let n = nnzs[(16 + c * 4 + by * 2 + bx).min(23)];
                    ac_nz = n != 0;
                }
                let dc = c_dc[c & 1][(by * 2 + bx) & 3];
                let p_off = (by * 4) * 8 + bx * 4;
                let r_off = (mb_y * 2 + by) * 4 * ccw + (mb_x * 2 + bx) * 4;
                let plane = if c == 0 {
                    &mut self.rec_u
                } else {
                    &mut self.rec_v
                };
                if dc == 0 && !ac_nz {
                    // Zero residual (no AC, zero DC) → recon == prediction exactly.
                    for r in 0..4 {
                        plane[r_off + r * ccw..r_off + r * ccw + 4]
                            .copy_from_slice(&c_pred[c][p_off + r * 8..p_off + r * 8 + 4]);
                    }
                    continue;
                }
                // DC-ONLY (no coded AC — covers every cbp_chroma==1 block and the
                // AC-empty blocks of cbp_chroma==2): the chroma DC arrives ALREADY
                // dequantized, so the residual is `(dc + 32) >> 6` flat.
                if !ac_nz {
                    reconstruct_4x4_dc_into(
                        (dc + 32) >> 6,
                        &c_pred[c],
                        p_off,
                        8,
                        plane,
                        r_off,
                        ccw,
                    );
                    continue;
                }
                // AC-only scan: index i is overall scan position i+1 (ac_shift=1).
                // Same sparse/dense hybrid as luma.
                reconstruct_4x4_scan_into::<true>(
                    &cac[c & 1][(by * 2 + bx) & 3],
                    &dqc[c & 1],
                    dc,
                    &c_pred[c],
                    p_off,
                    8,
                    plane,
                    r_off,
                    ccw,
                );
            }
        }
    }

    fn filter_row(&mut self, r: usize) {
        // The precomputed consumer path reads ONLY `bs` + `t8x8` (+ the qp grid
        // passed as a parameter) — verified when the path landed (WHYS Part 15).
        let info = rusty_h264_common::deblock::BlockInfo {
            inter: &[],
            nnz: &[],
            mv: &[],
            ref_id: &[],
            mv1: &[],
            ref_id1: &[],
            w4: self.mb_w * 4,
            t8x8: &self.t8_grid,
            bs: &self.bs_store,
            poc0: &[],
            poc1: &[],
            kind: &[],
        };
        rusty_h264_common::deblock::filter_frame_rows_pre(
            &mut self.rec_y,
            &mut self.rec_u,
            &mut self.rec_v,
            self.mb_w,
            self.mb_h,
            r..r + 1,
            &self.qp_grid,
            self.chroma_qp_offset,
            self.db_oa,
            self.db_ob,
            &info,
        );
    }

    fn save_bak(&mut self, r: usize) {
        let y0 = (r * 16 + 15) * self.cw;
        self.bak_y.copy_from_slice(&self.rec_y[y0..y0 + self.cw]);
        let c0 = (r * 8 + 7) * self.ccw;
        self.bak_u.copy_from_slice(&self.rec_u[c0..c0 + self.ccw]);
        self.bak_v.copy_from_slice(&self.rec_v[c0..c0 + self.ccw]);
    }
}

/// The pixel worker: replays jobs in parse order, filters rows as their
/// messages arrive, and hands the whole context to the parse thread (and
/// back) around intra macroblocks. Returns the context at slice end.
/// E2 SEAM COUNTERS (D7). Deterministic — one run is the verdict, no pinning.
/// `RS_H264_EDC_STATS=1` prints at decode end. Counts, not clocks: the question
/// "does one intra macroblock drain the pipeline" is a COUNT question.
pub(crate) mod edcstat {
    use core::sync::atomic::Ordering::Relaxed;
    use rusty_h264_common::atomic::AtomicU64;
    pub static NEEDCTX: AtomicU64 = AtomicU64::new(0);
    pub static JOBS: AtomicU64 = AtomicU64::new(0);
    pub static ROWS: AtomicU64 = AtomicU64::new(0);
    pub static ROWBYTES: AtomicU64 = AtomicU64::new(0);
    pub static MBS: AtomicU64 = AtomicU64::new(0);
    /// Sparse-dequant routing histogram: [nnz class 1-2/3-4/5-6/7+][L class 1-4/5-8/9-12/13-16],
    /// L = highest coded scan position + 1 (the scatter loop's trip count).
    pub static DQ: [AtomicU64; 16] = [const { AtomicU64::new(0) }; 16];
    #[inline(always)]
    #[allow(dead_code)]
    pub fn dq_note(nnz: u8, scan: &[i32; 16]) {
        #[cfg(feature = "profile")]
        if on() {
            let l = 16 - scan.iter().rev().take_while(|&&v| v == 0).count();
            let nc = ((nnz.max(1) as usize - 1) / 2).min(3);
            let lc = ((l.max(1) - 1) / 4).min(3);
            DQ[nc * 4 + lc].fetch_add(1, Relaxed);
        }
        #[cfg(not(feature = "profile"))]
        let _ = (nnz, scan);
    }
    pub static J_INTER: AtomicU64 = AtomicU64::new(0);
    pub static DOUBLED: AtomicU64 = AtomicU64::new(0);
    pub static J_NORES_SENT: AtomicU64 = AtomicU64::new(0);
    pub static BATCHES: AtomicU64 = AtomicU64::new(0);
    pub static DISPATCH_ON: AtomicU64 = AtomicU64::new(0);
    pub static DISPATCH_SEEN: AtomicU64 = AtomicU64::new(0);
    /// mb_skip_run band path (big-oppy-decoder §6 KEY glue): P_Skip MBs
    /// reconstructed by run-coalesced band copies, and the runs themselves.
    /// DETERMINISTIC WIN counters — each banded MB removed 1 luma MC call,
    /// 2 chroma MC calls and the 256+128-byte pred staging round-trip.
    pub static SKIPBAND_MBS: AtomicU64 = AtomicU64::new(0);
    pub static SKIPBAND_RUNS: AtomicU64 = AtomicU64::new(0);
    pub static SKIP_SINGLES: AtomicU64 = AtomicU64::new(0);
    // MEASUREMENT counters sizing the next skip-band extensions (no behavior).
    // P side: singles that sit in a same-row run of >=2 EQUAL nonzero MVs,
    // split by full-pel (band-copy-with-offset eligible) vs fractional.
    pub static PEQ_FP: AtomicU64 = AtomicU64::new(0);
    pub static PEQ_FRAC: AtomicU64 = AtomicU64::new(0);
    // B side: full-16x16 spatial-direct calls (B_Skip + direct-16), how many
    // collapse to ONE uniform rect, and of those the zero-motion bi/uni and
    // full-pel populations + run adjacency (previous MB same params, same row).
    pub static BSK_FULLMB: AtomicU64 = AtomicU64::new(0);
    pub static BSK_1RECT: AtomicU64 = AtomicU64::new(0);
    pub static BSK_ZBI: AtomicU64 = AtomicU64::new(0);
    pub static BSK_ZUNI: AtomicU64 = AtomicU64::new(0);
    pub static BSK_FP: AtomicU64 = AtomicU64::new(0);
    pub static BSK_RUNCONT: AtomicU64 = AtomicU64::new(0);
    /// DETERMINISTIC WIN counter — B_Skip MBs taken by the zero-bi fast path.
    pub static BSKB_FAST: AtomicU64 = AtomicU64::new(0);
    /// P_Skip singles taken by the full-pel direct-copy path (both planes /
    /// luma only, chroma still interpolating at mv%8!=0).
    pub static SKIP_FP_FULL: AtomicU64 = AtomicU64::new(0);
    pub static SKIP_FP_LUMA: AtomicU64 = AtomicU64::new(0);
    /// B_Skip full-pel nonzero-MV MBs taken by the offset copy/avg path.
    pub static BSKB_FP: AtomicU64 = AtomicU64::new(0);
    /// P_Skip parse side: MBs whose skip MV was FORCED (0,0) by the run
    /// theorem (left = just-committed (0,0) skip, or out-of-slice) vs MBs
    /// that ran the 3-neighbor gather + rule.
    pub static SKIPMV_FORCED: AtomicU64 = AtomicU64::new(0);
    pub static SKIPMV_DERIVED: AtomicU64 = AtomicU64::new(0);
    /// B_Skips whose zero-bi derivation was FORCED by the known-zero bitmap
    /// (left+top+topright all recorded ref0/(0,0)-both-lists) — the 6-gather
    /// b_direct_nbrs walk skipped entirely.
    pub static BSKB_FORCED: AtomicU64 = AtomicU64::new(0);
    /// Zero-bi fast B_Skip grid commits batched into row spans: MBs covered
    /// and spans flushed (fills of 4N replace N MBs x 28 per-MB fills).
    pub static BZ_SPAN_MBS: AtomicU64 = AtomicU64::new(0);
    pub static BZ_SPANS: AtomicU64 = AtomicU64::new(0);
    /// P_Skip (0,0) grid-commit spans (parse-side mirror of BZ_*).
    pub static PZ_SPAN_MBS: AtomicU64 = AtomicU64::new(0);
    pub static PZ_SPANS: AtomicU64 = AtomicU64::new(0);
    /// Census: b_mc bi-pred regions where BOTH MVs are full-pel (fusable to a
    /// direct offset average — sizing only, no behavior).
    pub static BMC_BI_FP: AtomicU64 = AtomicU64::new(0);
    /// weight_partition passes skipped because the whole list-0 table is
    /// identity (384 apply ops avoided per full-MB pass).
    pub static WP_SKIPPED: AtomicU64 = AtomicU64::new(0);
    /// Intra I_4x4 luma residual dispatch (the inter ladder, ported): how many
    /// blocks took the zero / DC-only / sparse-scatter / dense arms.
    pub static I4_ZERO: AtomicU64 = AtomicU64::new(0);
    pub static I4_DC: AtomicU64 = AtomicU64::new(0);
    pub static I4_SPARSE: AtomicU64 = AtomicU64::new(0);
    pub static I4_DENSE: AtomicU64 = AtomicU64::new(0);
    /// 8x8 residual blocks (intra + inter t8) whose residual is entirely zero:
    /// recon == pred, the 64-px widen + add + clip skipped.
    pub static T8_ZERO: AtomicU64 = AtomicU64::new(0);
    /// I_16x16 4x4 sub-blocks with zero AC: the residual is the (already
    /// Hadamard-transformed) DC alone, so the dense dequant + IDCT collapse
    /// to one flat add.
    pub static I16_DCONLY: AtomicU64 = AtomicU64::new(0);
    pub static J_INTER_NORES: AtomicU64 = AtomicU64::new(0);
    // ---- deb:derive census (derive_bs_row) — sizing the bS derivation arms.
    /// Rows derived, and macroblocks derived across them.
    pub static DBS_ROWS: AtomicU64 = AtomicU64::new(0);
    pub static DBS_MB: AtomicU64 = AtomicU64::new(0);
    /// Arm split: Intra kind-arm / Skip|InterUniform kind-arm (only under
    /// RS_H264_KIND_LOADS=1) / the packed `derive_mb_records` default.
    pub static DBS_INTRA: AtomicU64 = AtomicU64::new(0);
    pub static DBS_KINDARM: AtomicU64 = AtomicU64::new(0);
    /// Macroblocks whose kind is Skip|InterUniform: the population that used
    /// to evaluate the `kind_loads()` OnceLock guard once EACH.
    pub static DBS_KINDGUARD: AtomicU64 = AtomicU64::new(0);
    pub static DBS_PACKED: AtomicU64 = AtomicU64::new(0);
    /// Of the packed arm: macroblocks whose derivation returned `flat_inter`
    /// (internal strengths 0 by construction — the early-return class).
    pub static DBS_FLAT: AtomicU64 = AtomicU64::new(0);
    /// Macroblocks whose FINAL stored MbBs is all-zero: the population the
    /// consumer's two-16-byte-compare early-out serves, and the denominator
    /// for the per-MB 128-byte bs_v/bs_h zero-init that precedes it.
    pub static DBS_ALLZERO: AtomicU64 = AtomicU64::new(0);
    /// nnz_dbr maintenance: rows copied wholesale vs rows that actually
    /// carried a transform-8x8 macroblock needing the 8x8 OR fixup.
    pub static DBS_NNZ_ROWCOPY: AtomicU64 = AtomicU64::new(0);
    pub static DBS_T8ROW: AtomicU64 = AtomicU64::new(0);
    pub static DBS_T8MB: AtomicU64 = AtomicU64::new(0);
    /// Rows that ran the disable_deblocking_filter_idc==2 crossing-edge pass.
    pub static DBS_IDC2ROW: AtomicU64 = AtomicU64::new(0);
    #[inline]
    pub fn bump(c: &AtomicU64, n: u64) {
        #[cfg(feature = "profile")]
        if on() {
            c.fetch_add(n, Relaxed);
        }
        #[cfg(not(feature = "profile"))]
        let _ = (c, n);
    }
    /// Off by default, yet read on EVERY bump — up to four times per B_Skip.
    /// `OnceLock::get_or_init` is an acquire load plus an initialised-state
    /// branch behind a non-inlined call; this is the relaxed AtomicU8 tri-state
    /// the other knobs in this file already use, and it inlines to one load.
    #[inline]
    pub fn on() -> bool {
        #[cfg(not(feature = "profile"))]
        {
            return false;
        }
        #[cfg(feature = "profile")]
        {
            use core::sync::atomic::AtomicU8;
            static V: AtomicU8 = AtomicU8::new(0);
            match V.load(Relaxed) {
                1 => true,
                2 => false,
                _ => {
                    let b = rusty_h264_common::knob("RS_H264_EDC_STATS").is_some();
                    V.store(if b { 1 } else { 2 }, Relaxed);
                    b
                }
            }
        }
    }
    pub fn report() {
        if !on() {
            return;
        }
        {
            // Routing model (census, 2026-09-05): scatter = 37 + 6*L + 9*nnz instrs;
            // dense = unscan 32 + dequantize ~63 (scalar) / ~28 (AVX2 twin).
            let (nm, lm) = ([1.5f64, 3.5, 5.5, 9.0], [2.5f64, 6.5, 10.5, 14.5]);
            let (mut tot, mut sc, mut d95, mut d60, mut best) =
                (0u64, 0.0f64, 0.0f64, 0.0f64, 0.0f64);
            eprintln!(
                "DQROUTE sparse-arm blocks by [nnz class][L class] (L = last coded position + 1):"
            );
            for nc in 0..4 {
                // `alloc::` spelled out: `Vec` is not in the no_std prelude.
                let row: alloc::vec::Vec<u64> =
                    (0..4).map(|lc| DQ[nc * 4 + lc].load(Relaxed)).collect();
                eprintln!(
                    "  nnz {:<5} L1-4={:>9} L5-8={:>9} L9-12={:>9} L13-16={:>9}",
                    ["1-2", "3-4", "5-6", "7+"][nc],
                    row[0],
                    row[1],
                    row[2],
                    row[3]
                );
                for lc in 0..4 {
                    let k = row[lc] as f64;
                    let s = 37.0 + 6.0 * lm[lc] + 9.0 * nm[nc];
                    tot += row[lc];
                    sc += k * s;
                    d95 += k * 95.0;
                    d60 += k * 60.0;
                    best += k * s.min(60.0);
                }
            }
            if tot > 0 {
                eprintln!("  modelled instrs: scatter(as routed)={:.0}  all-dense-scalar={:.0}  all-dense-avx2={:.0}  per-bin best(scatter|avx2)={:.0}  blocks={}", sc, d95, d60, best, tot);
            }
        }
        eprintln!(
            "EDCDISPATCH threaded_slices={} eligible_slices={}",
            DISPATCH_ON.load(Relaxed),
            DISPATCH_SEEN.load(Relaxed)
        );
        eprintln!(
            "EDCSIZE EdcMsg={} EdcJob={} PInterJob={} BJob={}",
            core::mem::size_of::<super::EdcMsg>(),
            core::mem::size_of::<super::EdcJob>(),
            core::mem::size_of::<super::PInterJob>(),
            core::mem::size_of::<super::BJob>(),
        );
        let (n, j, r, b, m) = (
            NEEDCTX.load(Relaxed),
            JOBS.load(Relaxed),
            ROWS.load(Relaxed),
            ROWBYTES.load(Relaxed),
            MBS.load(Relaxed),
        );
        eprintln!(
            "EDCSTAT needctx={n} jobs={j} rows={r} rowbytes={b} mbs={m} batches={} jobs_per_batch={:.1} needctx_per_1k_mb={:.1} jobs_per_needctx={:.1}",
            BATCHES.load(Relaxed),
            j as f64 / BATCHES.load(Relaxed).max(1) as f64,
            1000.0 * n as f64 / m.max(1) as f64,
            j as f64 / n.max(1) as f64
        );
        eprintln!(
            "SKIPRUN band_mbs={} band_runs={} mbs_per_run={:.1} singles={} banded_pct={:.1}",
            SKIPBAND_MBS.load(Relaxed),
            SKIPBAND_RUNS.load(Relaxed),
            SKIPBAND_MBS.load(Relaxed) as f64 / SKIPBAND_RUNS.load(Relaxed).max(1) as f64,
            SKIP_SINGLES.load(Relaxed),
            100.0 * SKIPBAND_MBS.load(Relaxed) as f64
                / (SKIPBAND_MBS.load(Relaxed) + SKIP_SINGLES.load(Relaxed)).max(1) as f64,
        );
        eprintln!(
            "SKIPNEXT peq_fp={} peq_frac={} bsk_fullmb={} bsk_1rect={} bsk_zbi={} bsk_zuni={} bsk_fp={} bsk_runcont={} bskb_fast={} skip_fp_full={} skip_fp_luma={} bskb_fp={} skipmv_forced={} skipmv_derived={} bskb_forced={} bz_spans={} bz_span_mbs={} pz_spans={} pz_span_mbs={} bmc_bi_fp={} wp_skipped={} i4_zero={} i4_dc={} i4_sparse={} i4_dense={} t8_zero={} i16_dconly={}",
            PEQ_FP.load(Relaxed), PEQ_FRAC.load(Relaxed),
            BSK_FULLMB.load(Relaxed), BSK_1RECT.load(Relaxed),
            BSK_ZBI.load(Relaxed), BSK_ZUNI.load(Relaxed),
            BSK_FP.load(Relaxed), BSK_RUNCONT.load(Relaxed),
            BSKB_FAST.load(Relaxed),
            SKIP_FP_FULL.load(Relaxed), SKIP_FP_LUMA.load(Relaxed),
            BSKB_FP.load(Relaxed),
            SKIPMV_FORCED.load(Relaxed), SKIPMV_DERIVED.load(Relaxed),
            BSKB_FORCED.load(Relaxed),
            BZ_SPANS.load(Relaxed), BZ_SPAN_MBS.load(Relaxed),
            PZ_SPANS.load(Relaxed), PZ_SPAN_MBS.load(Relaxed),
            BMC_BI_FP.load(Relaxed),
            WP_SKIPPED.load(Relaxed),
            I4_ZERO.load(Relaxed), I4_DC.load(Relaxed),
            I4_SPARSE.load(Relaxed), I4_DENSE.load(Relaxed),
            T8_ZERO.load(Relaxed), I16_DCONLY.load(Relaxed),
        );
        let dmb = DBS_MB.load(Relaxed).max(1);
        eprintln!(
            "DBSDERIVE rows={} mb={} intra={} kindarm={} kindguard={} packed={} flat={} ({:.1}%) allzero={} ({:.1}%) nnz_rowcopy={} t8row={} t8mb={} idc2row={}",
            DBS_ROWS.load(Relaxed), DBS_MB.load(Relaxed),
            DBS_INTRA.load(Relaxed), DBS_KINDARM.load(Relaxed),
            DBS_KINDGUARD.load(Relaxed), DBS_PACKED.load(Relaxed),
            DBS_FLAT.load(Relaxed), 100.0 * DBS_FLAT.load(Relaxed) as f64 / dmb as f64,
            DBS_ALLZERO.load(Relaxed), 100.0 * DBS_ALLZERO.load(Relaxed) as f64 / dmb as f64,
            DBS_NNZ_ROWCOPY.load(Relaxed), DBS_T8ROW.load(Relaxed),
            DBS_T8MB.load(Relaxed), DBS_IDC2ROW.load(Relaxed),
        );
        let (ji, jn) = (J_INTER.load(Relaxed), J_INTER_NORES.load(Relaxed));
        eprintln!(
            "EDCMIX doubled={} nores_sent={} inter={ji} inter_no_residual={jn} ({:.1}% of inter) wasted_bytes={:.1} MB of {:.1} MB total inter payload",
            DOUBLED.load(Relaxed),
            J_NORES_SENT.load(Relaxed),
            100.0 * jn as f64 / ji.max(1) as f64,
            (jn * 2784) as f64 / 1.048576e6,
            (ji * 2784) as f64 / 1.048576e6,
        );
    }
}

#[cfg(feature = "std")]
fn edc_worker(
    mut ctx: PixelCtx,
    rx: crate::sync::mpsc::Receiver<EdcMsg>,
    ctx_tx: crate::sync::mpsc::Sender<PixelCtx>,
    back_rx: crate::sync::mpsc::Receiver<PixelCtx>,
) -> PixelCtx {
    while let Ok(msg) = rx.recv() {
        match msg {
            EdcMsg::Batch(jobs) => {
                for j in jobs {
                    match j {
                        EdcJob::Skip { mbx, mby, mv } => ctx.recon_p_skip(mbx, mby, mv),
                        EdcJob::Inter(j) => ctx.recon_p_inter(&j),
                        EdcJob::InterNoRes(j) => ctx.recon_p_inter_nores(&j),
                        EdcJob::B(j) => ctx.recon_b(&j),
                        EdcJob::BSkip { mbx, mby, regions } => ctx.recon_b_skip(mbx, mby, &regions),
                    }
                }
            }
            EdcMsg::Job(EdcJob::Skip { mbx, mby, mv }) => ctx.recon_p_skip(mbx, mby, mv),
            EdcMsg::Job(EdcJob::Inter(j)) => ctx.recon_p_inter(&j),
            EdcMsg::Job(EdcJob::InterNoRes(j)) => ctx.recon_p_inter_nores(&j),
            EdcMsg::Job(EdcJob::B(j)) => ctx.recon_b(&j),
            EdcMsg::Job(EdcJob::BSkip { mbx, mby, regions }) => {
                ctx.recon_b_skip(mbx, mby, &regions)
            }
            EdcMsg::Row { r, bs, qp, t8 } => {
                let (w, base) = (ctx.mb_w, r * ctx.mb_w);
                ctx.bs_store[base..base + w].copy_from_slice(&bs);
                ctx.qp_grid[base..base + w].copy_from_slice(&qp);
                ctx.t8_grid[base..base + w].copy_from_slice(&t8);
                if ctx.db_ena {
                    ctx.save_bak(r);
                    ctx.filter_row(r);
                    ctx.flt_rows = r + 1;
                    ctx.publish_progress_rows();
                }
            }
            EdcMsg::NeedCtx => {
                ctx_tx.send(ctx).expect("parse thread alive");
                ctx = back_rx.recv().expect("ctx returned after intra");
            }
        }
    }
    ctx
}

/// One motion-compensation region of a B macroblock, recorded at parse time
/// (E3). Weights are the RESOLVED implicit pair — computing them needs the
/// ref lists' POCs, which are parse-side state.
pub(crate) struct BRegion {
    px: usize,
    py: usize,
    rw: usize,
    rh: usize,
    refi0: i32,
    refi1: i32,
    mv0: (i32, i32),
    mv1: (i32, i32),
    w: Option<(i32, i32)>,
}

/// A B macroblock's deferred pixel work: replay the regions into fresh
/// prediction buffers, then either copy them out (skip/direct, no residual)
/// or run the residual add.
pub(crate) struct BJob {
    mbx: usize,
    mby: usize,
    qp: u8,
    cbp_chroma: u32,
    skip: bool,
    regions: Vec<BRegion>,
    /// `None` when no 4x4 luma block was coded — t8 macroblocks included,
    /// since those carry `luma8` instead.
    luma_scan: Option<[[i32; 16]; 16]>,
    /// `Some` only under transform_size_8x8_flag.
    luma8: Option<[[i32; 64]; 4]>,
    cdc: [[i32; 4]; 2],
    /// `None` unless cbp_chroma == 2 (chroma AC coded).
    cac: Option<[[[i32; 16]; 4]; 2]>,
    nnzs: [u8; 24],
}

impl PixelCtx {
    fn b_mc(
        &self,
        mb_x: usize,
        mb_y: usize,
        px: usize,
        py: usize,
        rw: usize,
        rh: usize,
        refi0: i32,
        mv0: (i32, i32),
        refi1: i32,
        mv1: (i32, i32),
        pred_y: &mut [u8; 256],
        c_pred: &mut [[u8; 64]; 2],
        wparam: Option<(i32, i32)>,
    ) {
        let _gb = rusty_h264_common::prof::scope(rusty_h264_common::prof::Stage::DecBMc);
        // Malformed-stream armor, mirroring the P path: now that B slices actually
        // PARSE ref_idx (they used to be hardcoded to 0), a mutated stream can hand
        // us an index past the end of either list. Clamp rather than panic — the
        // crate is `forbid(unsafe_code)` and fuzz-gated to never panic, and a
        // wrong picture on garbage input carries no conformance duty.
        let refi0 = if refi0 >= 0 {
            (refi0 as usize).min(self.refs.len().saturating_sub(1)) as i32
        } else {
            -1
        };
        let refi1 = if refi1 >= 0 {
            (refi1 as usize).min(self.refs1.len().saturating_sub(1)) as i32
        } else {
            -1
        };
        if (refi0 >= 0 && self.refs.is_empty()) || (refi1 >= 0 && self.refs1.is_empty()) {
            return;
        }
        let (ch, cch) = (self.mb_h * 16, self.mb_h * 8);
        // E3: implicit weights are PARSE-side (they read the ref lists' POCs);
        // the region carries the resolved pair.
        let weights = wparam;
        // Bi-prediction blend: the weights decision is LOOP-INVARIANT, so every
        // blend site below matches on `weights` ONCE and runs a branch-free
        // pixel loop — the unweighted `(p+q+1)>>1` average then autovectorizes
        // (the per-pixel closure this replaces hid the invariant behind a
        // capture, and its chroma form was a &dyn call PER PIXEL).
        // FULL-WIDTH regions (px == 0, rw == 16 — every 16×16/16×8 partition and
        // most direct regions) occupy contiguous rows of `pred_y`, so MC writes
        // the destination DIRECTLY: uni-pred needs no staging at all, bi-pred
        // stages only the second list and blends in place. The staging arrays
        // (512 B zeroed per call before this) now exist only on the branches
        // that read them. Same fusion as the P path's mc_rect (WHYS Part 8).
        let full = px == 0 && rw == 16;
        let _gl = rusty_h264_common::prof::scope(rusty_h264_common::prof::Stage::DecBLuma);
        // One scratch borrow for the whole region — both bi-pred passes included.
        // The closure yields whether the arm already ran the chroma half (the
        // bi-pred full-width arm does, to keep its staging alive) — a plain
        // `return` inside would exit the CLOSURE only and chroma would run twice.
        let chroma_done =
            rusty_h264_common::inter::with_mc_scratch(|scr| match (refi0 >= 0, refi1 >= 0, full) {
                (true, false, true) => {
                    let Some(rf) = self.refs.get(refi0 as usize) else {
                        return false;
                    };
                    rusty_h264_common::inter::mc_luma_padded_pre(
                        scr,
                        &*rf.luma_guard(rf.ch),
                        rf.lstride(),
                        crate::LPAD,
                        self.cw,
                        ch,
                        mb_x * 16,
                        mb_y * 16 + py,
                        rw,
                        rh,
                        mv0.0,
                        mv0.1,
                        &mut pred_y[py * 16..py * 16 + rw * rh],
                    );
                    false
                }
                (false, true, true) => {
                    let Some(rf) = self.refs1.get(refi1 as usize) else {
                        return false;
                    };
                    rusty_h264_common::inter::mc_luma_padded_pre(
                        scr,
                        &*rf.luma_guard(rf.ch),
                        rf.lstride(),
                        crate::LPAD,
                        self.cw,
                        ch,
                        mb_x * 16,
                        mb_y * 16 + py,
                        rw,
                        rh,
                        mv1.0,
                        mv1.1,
                        &mut pred_y[py * 16..py * 16 + rw * rh],
                    );
                    false
                }
                (true, true, true) => {
                    let Some(rf) = self.refs.get(refi0 as usize) else {
                        return false;
                    };
                    rusty_h264_common::inter::mc_luma_padded_pre(
                        scr,
                        &*rf.luma_guard(rf.ch),
                        rf.lstride(),
                        crate::LPAD,
                        self.cw,
                        ch,
                        mb_x * 16,
                        mb_y * 16 + py,
                        rw,
                        rh,
                        mv0.0,
                        mv0.1,
                        &mut pred_y[py * 16..py * 16 + rw * rh],
                    );
                    let mut b = [0u8; 256];
                    let Some(rf) = self.refs1.get(refi1 as usize) else {
                        return false;
                    };
                    rusty_h264_common::inter::mc_luma_padded_pre(
                        scr,
                        &*rf.luma_guard(rf.ch),
                        rf.lstride(),
                        crate::LPAD,
                        self.cw,
                        ch,
                        mb_x * 16,
                        mb_y * 16 + py,
                        rw,
                        rh,
                        mv1.0,
                        mv1.1,
                        &mut b[..rw * rh],
                    );
                    drop(_gl);
                    let _gbl =
                        rusty_h264_common::prof::scope(rusty_h264_common::prof::Stage::DecBBlend);
                    // SLICE-then-zip: proving the bounds ONCE lets rustc emit the whole
                    // 256-byte average as 8 straight-line vpavgb ops (verified in
                    // isolation, x86-64-v3); the indexed form kept a per-iteration
                    // bounds check and a loop. A hand AVX2 kernel is refuted — the
                    // compiler already emits the ideal instruction.
                    let dst = &mut pred_y[py * 16..py * 16 + rw * rh];
                    match weights {
                        None => {
                            for (d, s) in dst.iter_mut().zip(&b[..rw * rh]) {
                                *d = ((*d as u16 + *s as u16 + 1) >> 1) as u8;
                            }
                        }
                        Some((w0, w1)) => {
                            for (d, s) in dst.iter_mut().zip(&b[..rw * rh]) {
                                *d = ((*d as i32 * w0 + *s as i32 * w1 + 32) >> 6).clamp(0, 255)
                                    as u8;
                            }
                        }
                    }
                    let _gc =
                        rusty_h264_common::prof::scope(rusty_h264_common::prof::Stage::DecBChroma);
                    self.b_mc_chroma(
                        mb_x, mb_y, px, py, rw, rh, refi0, mv0, refi1, mv1, c_pred, weights, cch,
                    );
                    true
                }
                _ => {
                    // Narrow region — rows are strided in `pred_y`; stage and copy.
                    let (mut a, mut b) = ([0u8; 256], [0u8; 256]);
                    if refi0 >= 0 {
                        let Some(rf) = self.refs.get(refi0 as usize) else {
                            return false;
                        };
                        rusty_h264_common::inter::mc_luma_padded_pre(
                            scr,
                            &*rf.luma_guard(rf.ch),
                            rf.lstride(),
                            crate::LPAD,
                            self.cw,
                            ch,
                            mb_x * 16 + px,
                            mb_y * 16 + py,
                            rw,
                            rh,
                            mv0.0,
                            mv0.1,
                            &mut a[..rw * rh],
                        );
                    }
                    if refi1 >= 0 {
                        let Some(rf) = self.refs1.get(refi1 as usize) else {
                            return false;
                        };
                        rusty_h264_common::inter::mc_luma_padded_pre(
                            scr,
                            &*rf.luma_guard(rf.ch),
                            rf.lstride(),
                            crate::LPAD,
                            self.cw,
                            ch,
                            mb_x * 16 + px,
                            mb_y * 16 + py,
                            rw,
                            rh,
                            mv1.0,
                            mv1.1,
                            &mut b[..rw * rh],
                        );
                    }
                    drop(_gl);
                    let _gbl =
                        rusty_h264_common::prof::scope(rusty_h264_common::prof::Stage::DecBBlend);
                    match (refi0 >= 0, refi1 >= 0) {
                        (true, true) => {
                            for dy in 0..rh {
                                let (ar, br) =
                                    (&a[dy * rw..dy * rw + rw], &b[dy * rw..dy * rw + rw]);
                                let base = (py + dy) * 16 + px;
                                let dst = &mut pred_y[base..base + rw];
                                match weights {
                                    None => {
                                        for ((d, p), q) in dst.iter_mut().zip(ar).zip(br) {
                                            *d = ((*p as u16 + *q as u16 + 1) >> 1) as u8;
                                        }
                                    }
                                    Some((w0, w1)) => {
                                        for ((d, p), q) in dst.iter_mut().zip(ar).zip(br) {
                                            *d = ((*p as i32 * w0 + *q as i32 * w1 + 32) >> 6)
                                                .clamp(0, 255)
                                                as u8;
                                        }
                                    }
                                }
                            }
                        }
                        (true, false) => {
                            for dy in 0..rh {
                                let d = (py + dy) * 16 + px;
                                pred_y[d..d + rw].copy_from_slice(&a[dy * rw..dy * rw + rw]);
                            }
                        }
                        _ => {
                            for dy in 0..rh {
                                let d = (py + dy) * 16 + px;
                                pred_y[d..d + rw].copy_from_slice(&b[dy * rw..dy * rw + rw]);
                            }
                        }
                    }
                    false
                }
            });
        if chroma_done {
            return;
        }
        let _gc = rusty_h264_common::prof::scope(rusty_h264_common::prof::Stage::DecBChroma);
        self.b_mc_chroma(
            mb_x, mb_y, px, py, rw, rh, refi0, mv0, refi1, mv1, c_pred, weights, cch,
        );
    }

    fn b_mc_chroma(
        &self,
        mb_x: usize,
        mb_y: usize,
        px: usize,
        py: usize,
        rw: usize,
        rh: usize,
        refi0: i32,
        mv0: (i32, i32),
        refi1: i32,
        mv1: (i32, i32),
        c_pred: &mut [[u8; 64]; 2],
        weights: Option<(i32, i32)>,
        cch: usize,
    ) {
        let (crx, cry, crw, crh) = (px / 2, py / 2, rw / 2, rh / 2);
        let full = crx == 0 && crw == 8;
        for c in 0..2 {
            match (refi0 >= 0, refi1 >= 0, full) {
                (true, false, true) => {
                    let Some(rf) = self.refs.get(refi0 as usize) else {
                        return;
                    };
                    let pl = if c == 0 {
                        &*rf.chroma_guard(0, rf.ch)
                    } else {
                        &*rf.chroma_guard(1, rf.ch)
                    };
                    mc_chroma_padded(
                        pl,
                        rf.cstride(),
                        crate::CPAD,
                        self.ccw,
                        cch,
                        mb_x * 8,
                        mb_y * 8 + cry,
                        crw,
                        crh,
                        mv0.0,
                        mv0.1,
                        &mut c_pred[c][cry * 8..cry * 8 + crw * crh],
                    );
                }
                (false, true, true) => {
                    let Some(rf) = self.refs1.get(refi1 as usize) else {
                        return;
                    };
                    let pl = if c == 0 {
                        &*rf.chroma_guard(0, rf.ch)
                    } else {
                        &*rf.chroma_guard(1, rf.ch)
                    };
                    mc_chroma_padded(
                        pl,
                        rf.cstride(),
                        crate::CPAD,
                        self.ccw,
                        cch,
                        mb_x * 8,
                        mb_y * 8 + cry,
                        crw,
                        crh,
                        mv1.0,
                        mv1.1,
                        &mut c_pred[c][cry * 8..cry * 8 + crw * crh],
                    );
                }
                (true, true, true) => {
                    let Some(rf) = self.refs.get(refi0 as usize) else {
                        return;
                    };
                    let pl = if c == 0 {
                        &*rf.chroma_guard(0, rf.ch)
                    } else {
                        &*rf.chroma_guard(1, rf.ch)
                    };
                    mc_chroma_padded(
                        pl,
                        rf.cstride(),
                        crate::CPAD,
                        self.ccw,
                        cch,
                        mb_x * 8,
                        mb_y * 8 + cry,
                        crw,
                        crh,
                        mv0.0,
                        mv0.1,
                        &mut c_pred[c][cry * 8..cry * 8 + crw * crh],
                    );
                    let mut cb = [0u8; 64];
                    let Some(rf) = self.refs1.get(refi1 as usize) else {
                        return;
                    };
                    let pl = if c == 0 {
                        &*rf.chroma_guard(0, rf.ch)
                    } else {
                        &*rf.chroma_guard(1, rf.ch)
                    };
                    mc_chroma_padded(
                        pl,
                        rf.cstride(),
                        crate::CPAD,
                        self.ccw,
                        cch,
                        mb_x * 8,
                        mb_y * 8 + cry,
                        crw,
                        crh,
                        mv1.0,
                        mv1.1,
                        &mut cb[..crw * crh],
                    );
                    let dst = &mut c_pred[c][cry * 8..cry * 8 + crw * crh];
                    match weights {
                        None => {
                            for (d, s) in dst.iter_mut().zip(&cb[..crw * crh]) {
                                *d = ((*d as u16 + *s as u16 + 1) >> 1) as u8;
                            }
                        }
                        Some((w0, w1)) => {
                            for (d, s) in dst.iter_mut().zip(&cb[..crw * crh]) {
                                *d = ((*d as i32 * w0 + *s as i32 * w1 + 32) >> 6).clamp(0, 255)
                                    as u8;
                            }
                        }
                    }
                }
                _ => {
                    let (mut ca, mut cb) = ([0u8; 64], [0u8; 64]);
                    if refi0 >= 0 {
                        let Some(rf) = self.refs.get(refi0 as usize) else {
                            return;
                        };
                        let pl = if c == 0 {
                            &*rf.chroma_guard(0, rf.ch)
                        } else {
                            &*rf.chroma_guard(1, rf.ch)
                        };
                        mc_chroma_padded(
                            pl,
                            rf.cstride(),
                            crate::CPAD,
                            self.ccw,
                            cch,
                            mb_x * 8 + crx,
                            mb_y * 8 + cry,
                            crw,
                            crh,
                            mv0.0,
                            mv0.1,
                            &mut ca[..crw * crh],
                        );
                    }
                    if refi1 >= 0 {
                        let Some(rf) = self.refs1.get(refi1 as usize) else {
                            return;
                        };
                        let pl = if c == 0 {
                            &*rf.chroma_guard(0, rf.ch)
                        } else {
                            &*rf.chroma_guard(1, rf.ch)
                        };
                        mc_chroma_padded(
                            pl,
                            rf.cstride(),
                            crate::CPAD,
                            self.ccw,
                            cch,
                            mb_x * 8 + crx,
                            mb_y * 8 + cry,
                            crw,
                            crh,
                            mv1.0,
                            mv1.1,
                            &mut cb[..crw * crh],
                        );
                    }
                    match (refi0 >= 0, refi1 >= 0) {
                        (true, true) => {
                            for dy in 0..crh {
                                let (pr, qr) =
                                    (&ca[dy * crw..dy * crw + crw], &cb[dy * crw..dy * crw + crw]);
                                let base = (cry + dy) * 8 + crx;
                                let dst = &mut c_pred[c][base..base + crw];
                                match weights {
                                    None => {
                                        for ((d, p), q) in dst.iter_mut().zip(pr).zip(qr) {
                                            *d = ((*p as u16 + *q as u16 + 1) >> 1) as u8;
                                        }
                                    }
                                    Some((w0, w1)) => {
                                        for ((d, p), q) in dst.iter_mut().zip(pr).zip(qr) {
                                            *d = ((*p as i32 * w0 + *q as i32 * w1 + 32) >> 6)
                                                .clamp(0, 255)
                                                as u8;
                                        }
                                    }
                                }
                            }
                        }
                        (true, false) => {
                            for dy in 0..crh {
                                let d = (cry + dy) * 8 + crx;
                                c_pred[c][d..d + crw]
                                    .copy_from_slice(&ca[dy * crw..dy * crw + crw]);
                            }
                        }
                        _ => {
                            for dy in 0..crh {
                                let d = (cry + dy) * 8 + crx;
                                c_pred[c][d..d + crw]
                                    .copy_from_slice(&cb[dy * crw..dy * crw + crw]);
                            }
                        }
                    }
                }
            }
        }
    }

    /// B_Skip replay: regions into fresh prediction buffers, then the plane
    /// copy — no residual, no coefficient arrays.
    fn recon_b_skip(&mut self, mbx: usize, mby: usize, regions: &[BRegion]) {
        crate::RefFrame::set_mc_row_need(mby, self.mb_h * 16);
        let mut pred_y = [0u8; 256];
        let mut c_pred = [[0u8; 64]; 2];
        for r in regions {
            self.b_mc(
                mbx,
                mby,
                r.px,
                r.py,
                r.rw,
                r.rh,
                r.refi0,
                r.mv0,
                r.refi1,
                r.mv1,
                &mut pred_y,
                &mut c_pred,
                r.w,
            );
        }
        for dy in 0..16 {
            let d = (mby * 16 + dy) * self.cw + mbx * 16;
            self.rec_y[d..d + 16].copy_from_slice(&pred_y[dy * 16..dy * 16 + 16]);
        }
        for c in 0..2 {
            let plane = if c == 0 {
                &mut self.rec_u
            } else {
                &mut self.rec_v
            };
            for dy in 0..8 {
                let d = (mby * 8 + dy) * self.ccw + mbx * 8;
                plane[d..d + 8].copy_from_slice(&c_pred[c][dy * 8..dy * 8 + 8]);
            }
        }
    }

    /// Replays one B macroblock's regions + residual (the worker half of the
    /// E3 seam). Mirrors the inline order exactly: MC regions in parse order
    /// into the prediction buffers, then the residual add (or the skip copy).
    fn recon_b(&mut self, j: &BJob) {
        crate::RefFrame::set_mc_row_need(j.mby, self.mb_h * 16);
        let mut pred_y = [0u8; 256];
        let mut c_pred = [[0u8; 64]; 2];
        for r in &j.regions {
            self.b_mc(
                j.mbx,
                j.mby,
                r.px,
                r.py,
                r.rw,
                r.rh,
                r.refi0,
                r.mv0,
                r.refi1,
                r.mv1,
                &mut pred_y,
                &mut c_pred,
                r.w,
            );
        }
        if j.skip {
            for dy in 0..16 {
                let d = (j.mby * 16 + dy) * self.cw + j.mbx * 16;
                self.rec_y[d..d + 16].copy_from_slice(&pred_y[dy * 16..dy * 16 + 16]);
            }
            for c in 0..2 {
                let plane = if c == 0 {
                    &mut self.rec_u
                } else {
                    &mut self.rec_v
                };
                for dy in 0..8 {
                    let d = (j.mby * 8 + dy) * self.ccw + j.mbx * 8;
                    plane[d..d + 8].copy_from_slice(&c_pred[c][dy * 8..dy * 8 + 8]);
                }
            }
        } else {
            self.cur_qp = j.qp;
            self.add_inter_residual(
                j.mbx,
                j.mby,
                &pred_y,
                &c_pred,
                j.luma_scan.as_ref(),
                j.luma8.as_ref(),
                &j.cdc,
                j.cac.as_ref(),
                j.cbp_chroma,
                &j.nnzs,
            );
        }
    }
}

/// D9b: MC-call coalescing for a P inter MB from committed per-block (mv, ref).
/// Shared by residual and no-residual recon — filters are per-output-pixel so
/// wider rects are bit-identical to sixteen 4×4 calls.
fn coalesce_p_inter_mc(
    refs: &[crate::Ref],
    cw: usize,
    ccw: usize,
    mb_h: usize,
    mbx: usize,
    mby: usize,
    gmv: &[(i32, i32); 16],
    gref: &[usize; 16],
    pred_y: &mut [u8; 256],
    c_pred: &mut [[u8; 64]; 2],
) {
    let _ms = rusty_h264_common::prof::scope(rusty_h264_common::prof::Stage::DecMcStage);
    let (rh16, cch) = (mb_h * 16, mb_h * 8);
    let rect_eq = |x4: usize, y4: usize, w4: usize, h4: usize| -> bool {
        let t = y4 * 4 + x4;
        (0..h4).all(|dy| {
            (0..w4).all(|dx| {
                // 4x4 block grid: the index is always < 16, but LLVM cannot
                // infer it from the nested ranges. `& 15` states it.
                let b = ((y4 + dy) * 4 + (x4 + dx)) & 15;
                gmv[b] == gmv[t] && gref[b] == gref[t]
            })
        })
    };
    let mut mc_rect = |x4: usize, y4: usize, w4: usize, h4: usize| {
        let b = y4 * 4 + x4;
        let (mv, gr) = (gmv[b & 15], gref[b & 15]);
        let Some(reference) = refs.get(gr) else {
            return;
        };
        let (w, h) = (w4 * 4, h4 * 4);
        if w == 16 {
            rusty_h264_common::inter::with_mc_scratch(|scr| {
                rusty_h264_common::inter::mc_luma_padded_pre(
                    scr,
                    &*reference.luma_guard(reference.ch),
                    reference.lstride(),
                    crate::LPAD,
                    cw,
                    rh16,
                    mbx * 16,
                    mby * 16 + y4 * 4,
                    w,
                    h,
                    mv.0,
                    mv.1,
                    &mut pred_y[y4 * 64..y4 * 64 + w * h],
                )
            });
        } else {
            let mut t = [0u8; 256];
            rusty_h264_common::inter::with_mc_scratch(|scr| {
                rusty_h264_common::inter::mc_luma_padded_pre(
                    scr,
                    &*reference.luma_guard(reference.ch),
                    reference.lstride(),
                    crate::LPAD,
                    cw,
                    rh16,
                    mbx * 16 + x4 * 4,
                    mby * 16 + y4 * 4,
                    w,
                    h,
                    mv.0,
                    mv.1,
                    &mut t[..w * h],
                )
            });
            let _pb = rusty_h264_common::prof::scope(rusty_h264_common::prof::Stage::PredBuf);
            for dy in 0..h {
                pred_y[(y4 * 4 + dy) * 16 + x4 * 4..][..w].copy_from_slice(&t[dy * w..dy * w + w]);
            }
        }
        let (cw4, ch4) = (w4 * 2, h4 * 2);
        let nc = cw4 * ch4;
        let (gu, gv) = (
            reference.chroma_guard(0, reference.ch),
            reference.chroma_guard(1, reference.ch),
        );
        // U+V paired: one setup serves both planes (see mc_chroma_padded_pair).
        if cw4 == 8 {
            let [cu, cv] = &mut *c_pred;
            rusty_h264_common::inter::mc_chroma_padded_pair(
                &gu,
                &gv,
                reference.cstride(),
                crate::CPAD,
                ccw,
                cch,
                mbx * 8,
                mby * 8 + y4 * 2,
                cw4,
                ch4,
                mv.0,
                mv.1,
                &mut cu[y4 * 16..y4 * 16 + nc],
                &mut cv[y4 * 16..y4 * 16 + nc],
            );
        } else {
            let (mut tu, mut tv) = ([0u8; 64], [0u8; 64]);
            rusty_h264_common::inter::mc_chroma_padded_pair(
                &gu,
                &gv,
                reference.cstride(),
                crate::CPAD,
                ccw,
                cch,
                mbx * 8 + x4 * 2,
                mby * 8 + y4 * 2,
                cw4,
                ch4,
                mv.0,
                mv.1,
                &mut tu[..nc],
                &mut tv[..nc],
            );
            let _pb = rusty_h264_common::prof::scope(rusty_h264_common::prof::Stage::PredBuf);
            for (cc, tc) in [(0usize, &tu), (1, &tv)] {
                for dy in 0..ch4 {
                    c_pred[cc][(y4 * 2 + dy) * 8 + x4 * 2..][..cw4]
                        .copy_from_slice(&tc[dy * cw4..dy * cw4 + cw4]);
                }
            }
        }
    };
    if rect_eq(0, 0, 4, 4) {
        mc_rect(0, 0, 4, 4);
    } else if rect_eq(0, 0, 4, 2) && rect_eq(0, 2, 4, 2) {
        mc_rect(0, 0, 4, 2);
        mc_rect(0, 2, 4, 2);
    } else if rect_eq(0, 0, 2, 4) && rect_eq(2, 0, 2, 4) {
        mc_rect(0, 0, 2, 4);
        mc_rect(2, 0, 2, 4);
    } else {
        for q in 0..4usize {
            let (qx, qy) = ((q % 2) * 2, (q / 2) * 2);
            if rect_eq(qx, qy, 2, 2) {
                mc_rect(qx, qy, 2, 2);
            } else if rect_eq(qx, qy, 2, 1) && rect_eq(qx, qy + 1, 2, 1) {
                mc_rect(qx, qy, 2, 1);
                mc_rect(qx, qy + 1, 2, 1);
            } else if rect_eq(qx, qy, 1, 2) && rect_eq(qx + 1, qy, 1, 2) {
                mc_rect(qx, qy, 1, 2);
                mc_rect(qx + 1, qy, 1, 2);
            } else {
                for j in 0..4usize {
                    mc_rect(qx + (j % 2), qy + (j / 2), 1, 1);
                }
            }
        }
    }
}

/// One deferred pixel-reconstruction job (entropy-decouple E1 seam).
enum EdcJob {
    Skip {
        mbx: usize,
        mby: usize,
        mv: (i32, i32),
    },
    Inter(Box<PInterJob>),
    B(Box<BJob>),
    /// B_Skip / no-residual direct: regions only. The full `BJob` carried
    /// 2.6 KB of ZEROED coefficient arrays for ~60% of B macroblocks — the
    /// wall-time regression's main CPU tax (B-heavy MT arm measured +45% CPU).
    BSkip {
        mbx: usize,
        mby: usize,
        regions: Vec<BRegion>,
    },
    /// P inter with `cbp == 0` — the P-side twin of `BSkip` (D9).
    InterNoRes(Box<PInterNoResJob>),
}

/// A P inter macroblock with NO residual (`cbp == 0`) — motion only.
///
/// D9. `PInterJob` is 2,784 bytes and **93% of that is coefficient arrays**
/// (`luma_scan` 1024 + `luma8` 1024 + `cac` 512 + `cdc` 32 = 2,592). When
/// `cbp == 0` every one of them is ZERO, and the seam was heap-allocating,
/// filling, channel-passing and freeing all 2,592 bytes of nothing —
/// 12.8-37.5% of inter jobs on the x264 corpus, 15.8-44.1 MB per 60-frame pass.
///
/// This is the same pathology `EdcJob::BSkip` was introduced to fix on the B
/// side ("2.6 KB of ZEROED coefficient arrays for ~60% of B macroblocks — the
/// wall-time regression's main CPU tax"). It was never ported to P.
///
/// Consumer uses `recon_p_inter_nores` (MC + plane copy) — bit-identical to
/// `recon_p_inter` on zero residuals, without memset of 2.5 KB coeff arrays.
/// (`RS_H264_NORES=0` keeps the old full-job path for A/B — routed at the
/// CONSTRUCTOR, so this job carries only what nores recon reads.)
struct PInterNoResJob {
    mbx: usize,
    mby: usize,
    t8: bool,
    gmv: [(i32, i32); 16],
    gref: [u8; 16],
}

/// The compact inputs of one CABAC P inter macroblock's reconstruction.
/// Shared all-zero residual planes. An Option-shaped residual field is `None`
/// exactly when the parse wrote nothing into it, and every consumer read is
/// already guarded by a zero-count test — so a `None` reader would have seen
/// zeros anyway. Pointing at one static beats zero-initialising 1 KB (luma) or
/// 512 B (chroma AC) of stack per macroblock.
static ZERO_LUMA_SCAN: [[i32; 16]; 16] = [[0; 16]; 16];
/// `(16384 + |td|/2) / td` for every `td` the spec can present. `td` is
/// `.clamp(-128, 127)` at both call sites (spec 8.4.1.2.3), so the divide has
/// exactly 256 possible inputs and a table replaces it EXACTLY -- this is not an
/// approximation, it is the same arithmetic evaluated ahead of time. `td == 0`
/// is guarded by the caller and maps to 0 here so the table has no hole.
static TX_FOR_TD: [i32; 256] = {
    let mut t = [0i32; 256];
    let mut i = 0usize;
    while i < 256 {
        let td = i as i32 - 128; // index 0 => -128 .. index 255 => 127
        t[i] = if td == 0 {
            0
        } else {
            (16384 + td.abs() / 2) / td
        };
        i += 1;
    }
    t
};

#[inline(always)]
fn tx_for_td(td: i32) -> i32 {
    debug_assert!((-128..=127).contains(&td), "td must be clamped before this");
    TX_FOR_TD[(td.clamp(-128, 127) + 128) as usize]
}

/// The "no coefficients" neighbour record. `mb_nzc` reads are reached only
/// through `if let Some(..) = top/left`, so an out-of-range index is
/// unreachable; this is what the unavailable branches already imply.
static ZERO_NZC: [u8; 24] = [0u8; 24];
static ZERO_CAC: [[[i32; 16]; 4]; 2] = [[[0; 16]; 4]; 2];

struct PInterJob {
    mbx: usize,
    mby: usize,
    qp: u8,
    cbp_chroma: u32,
    /// transform_size_8x8_flag: the residual is `luma8`, not `luma_scan`.
    t8: bool,
    /// The committed per-block motion, copied at parse time so the worker
    /// never reads the parse thread's grids (E2). Ref indices clamped by the
    /// consumer, kept u8 (spec max 15).
    gmv: [(i32, i32); 16],
    gref: [u8; 16],
    /// `None` when no 4x4 luma block was coded — t8 macroblocks included,
    /// since those carry `luma8` instead.
    /// POOLED and reused across macroblocks (see `take_pinter_job`): only the
    /// blocks whose `nnzs` entry is nonzero hold the data of this macroblock; every
    /// other block is STALE and the consumer never reads it (it copies the
    /// prediction when nnz == 0). The parse zeroes exactly the blocks it is
    /// about to write.
    luma_scan: [[i32; 16]; 16],
    luma8: [[i32; 64]; 4],
    cdc: [[i32; 4]; 2],
    cac: [[[i32; 16]; 4]; 2],
    nnzs: [u8; 24],
}

impl PInterJob {
    fn blank() -> Self {
        PInterJob {
            mbx: 0,
            mby: 0,
            qp: 0,
            cbp_chroma: 0,
            t8: false,
            gmv: [(0, 0); 16],
            gref: [0; 16],
            luma_scan: [[0; 16]; 16],
            luma8: [[0; 64]; 4],
            cdc: [[0; 4]; 2],
            cac: [[[0; 16]; 4]; 2],
            nnzs: [0; 24],
        }
    }
}

/// Entropy-decouple master knob — DEFAULT ON since 2026-08-05 (`RS_H264_EDC=0`
/// opts out). E1 was expected to be cost-neutral scaffolding for the E2
/// thread; it BANKED on its own: 13/15 pairs, z=2.84, median +4.0% (pooled
/// 19/24, z=2.86). Mechanism: LOOP FISSION — batching a row's parsing and
/// then a row's reconstruction keeps each large code path's I-cache and
/// branch state hot, instead of alternating two giant bodies per macroblock.
fn edc_on() -> bool {
    // ROUTED AT BUILD TIME (routing round 2026-09-05): the shipped arm is the
    // constant below; the env A/B arm exists only under `--features knobs`.
    #[cfg(not(feature = "knobs"))]
    {
        return true;
    }
    #[cfg(feature = "knobs")]
    {
        use core::sync::atomic::{AtomicU8, Ordering};
        static ON: AtomicU8 = AtomicU8::new(0);
        match ON.load(Ordering::Relaxed) {
            0 => {
                let v = !rusty_h264_common::knob("RS_H264_EDC").is_some_and(|v| v == "0");
                ON.store(if v { 1 } else { 2 }, Ordering::Relaxed);
                v
            }
            n => n == 1,
        }
    }
}

/// E2/E3 worker-thread knob.
///
/// **Default OFF (2026-08-11).** ffmpeg's parallel unit is the PICTURE
/// (`decode_slice` + `hl_decode_mb` on the same thread). `edc_worker` is a
/// nested recon thread — the wrong function:
///   * 1T (`ffmpeg -threads 1`, pinvs pin): two threads thrash one core
///   * frame-MT (`ffmpeg -threads N`): each picture worker would spawn another
/// Frame-MT (`RS_H264_FRAME_THREADS=N`) is the ffmpeg-shaped pool. This
/// pipeline stays as an explicit oracle (`RS_H264_EDC_MT=1`) / old auto-gate
/// (`=auto`). `=0` forces inline.
/// D8: run every pixel reconstruction TWICE (the second pass is discarded work,
/// not discarded output -- recon is idempotent, so the bytes are unchanged).
/// `t(double) - t(single)` IS the pixel half's cost, which is the parallel
/// fraction the E2 seam can address. Byte-identity is the proof the ablation
/// did not change the program (unlike removing the stage, which cascades).
/// D9 compact no-residual P inter jobs. `RS_H264_NORES=0` restores the old
/// always-full-payload path for A/B (the arm must PIN the value, never inherit
/// a default -- an "off" arm that only omits an override measures
/// default-vs-default and prints all zeros).
/// D10 row batching — **DEFAULT ON. A DELIBERATE THROUGHPUT-OVER-LATENCY TRADE.**
///
/// Ships a row's pixel jobs in one message instead of one per macroblock:
/// 207,949 sends -> 3,086 (**67-70x fewer**), and **~3% less CPU**.
///
/// ⚠ IT COSTS 2-4% WALL on a single stream — 0.963x / 0.980x, **11/11 pairs on
/// two clips**, A/B'd against itself at a fixed queue bound. That is measured,
/// reproducible, and ACCEPTED, not an oversight. Do not "fix" it by flipping
/// the default; read this first.
///
/// WHY IT COSTS WALL: batching trades pipelining for synchronisation.
/// Per-macroblock sends let the worker start on job 1 immediately; a row batch
/// makes it idle until ~70 macroblocks are parsed, then hands it a burst.
///
/// WHY IT IS STILL THE RIGHT DEFAULT: wall time here is SINGLE-STREAM LATENCY;
/// CPU is THROUGHPUT. A host decoding many streams concurrently is CPU-bound,
/// not latency-bound, so 3% less CPU is ~3% more capacity while the 2-4% wall
/// cost falls on a dimension that is not the constraint. The 67x drop in
/// channel operations also removes a park/unpark storm that scales with the
/// number of runnable threads — it gets better, not worse, as the box fills.
///
/// `RS_H264_BATCH=0` restores per-macroblock sends for the latency-sensitive
/// single-stream case (playback, seek preview, anything where first-frame time
/// dominates).
fn batch_on() -> bool {
    // ROUTED AT BUILD TIME (routing round 2026-09-05): the shipped arm is the
    // constant below; the env A/B arm exists only under `--features knobs`.
    #[cfg(not(feature = "knobs"))]
    {
        return true;
    }
    #[cfg(feature = "knobs")]
    {
        static V: rusty_h264_common::once::OnceLock<bool> = rusty_h264_common::once::OnceLock::new();
        *V.get_or_init(|| !rusty_h264_common::knob("RS_H264_BATCH").is_some_and(|v| v == "0"))
    }
}

fn nores_on() -> bool {
    // ROUTED AT BUILD TIME (routing round 2026-09-05): the shipped arm is the
    // constant below; the env A/B arm exists only under `--features knobs`.
    #[cfg(not(feature = "knobs"))]
    {
        return true;
    }
    #[cfg(feature = "knobs")]
    {
        static V: rusty_h264_common::once::OnceLock<bool> = rusty_h264_common::once::OnceLock::new();
        *V.get_or_init(|| !rusty_h264_common::knob("RS_H264_NORES").is_some_and(|v| v == "0"))
    }
}

/// D13 A/B: always allocate B-only CABAC neighbour grids even on P/I slices.
fn fat_slice_on() -> bool {
    // ROUTED AT BUILD TIME (routing round 2026-09-05): the shipped arm is the
    // constant below; the env A/B arm exists only under `--features knobs`.
    #[cfg(not(feature = "knobs"))]
    {
        return false;
    }
    #[cfg(feature = "knobs")]
    {
        static V: rusty_h264_common::once::OnceLock<bool> = rusty_h264_common::once::OnceLock::new();
        *V.get_or_init(|| rusty_h264_common::knob("RS_H264_FAT_SLICE").is_some_and(|v| v == "1"))
    }
}

/// MEASUREMENT KNOB — `RS_H264_NO_SKIPBAND=1` forces the per-MB skip path so the
/// mb_skip_run band coalescer can be A/B'd paired on ONE binary. Inert when unset.
fn no_skipband() -> bool {
    // ROUTED AT BUILD TIME (routing round 2026-09-05): the shipped arm is the
    // constant below; the env A/B arm exists only under `--features knobs`.
    #[cfg(not(feature = "knobs"))]
    {
        return false;
    }
    #[cfg(feature = "knobs")]
    {
        static V: rusty_h264_common::once::OnceLock<bool> = rusty_h264_common::once::OnceLock::new();
        *V.get_or_init(|| rusty_h264_common::knob("RS_H264_NO_SKIPBAND").is_some_and(|v| v == "1"))
    }
}

/// MEASUREMENT KNOB — `RS_H264_NO_RUNMV=1` forces the full skip_mv derivation
/// on every P_Skip (disables the run-theorem forced-(0,0) branch) for paired A/B.
fn no_runmv() -> bool {
    // ROUTED AT BUILD TIME (routing round 2026-09-05): the shipped arm is the
    // constant below; the env A/B arm exists only under `--features knobs`.
    #[cfg(not(feature = "knobs"))]
    {
        return false;
    }
    #[cfg(feature = "knobs")]
    {
        static V: rusty_h264_common::once::OnceLock<bool> = rusty_h264_common::once::OnceLock::new();
        *V.get_or_init(|| rusty_h264_common::knob("RS_H264_NO_RUNMV").is_some_and(|v| v == "1"))
    }
}

/// MEASUREMENT KNOB — `RS_H264_NO_SKIPFP=1` disables the P_Skip single fast
/// paths (full-pel direct copy + identity-weight-pass skip) for paired A/B.
fn no_skipfp() -> bool {
    // ROUTED AT BUILD TIME (routing round 2026-09-05): the shipped arm is the
    // constant below; the env A/B arm exists only under `--features knobs`.
    #[cfg(not(feature = "knobs"))]
    {
        return false;
    }
    #[cfg(feature = "knobs")]
    {
        static V: rusty_h264_common::once::OnceLock<bool> = rusty_h264_common::once::OnceLock::new();
        *V.get_or_init(|| rusty_h264_common::knob("RS_H264_NO_SKIPFP").is_some_and(|v| v == "1"))
    }
}

/// MEASUREMENT KNOB — `RS_H264_NO_BSKIPFAST=1` forces the full decode_b_direct
/// path for B_Skip so the zero-bi fast path can be A/B'd paired on ONE binary.
fn no_bskipfast() -> bool {
    // ROUTED AT BUILD TIME (routing round 2026-09-05): the shipped arm is the
    // constant below; the env A/B arm exists only under `--features knobs`.
    #[cfg(not(feature = "knobs"))]
    {
        return false;
    }
    #[cfg(feature = "knobs")]
    {
        static V: rusty_h264_common::once::OnceLock<bool> = rusty_h264_common::once::OnceLock::new();
        *V.get_or_init(|| rusty_h264_common::knob("RS_H264_NO_BSKIPFAST").is_some_and(|v| v == "1"))
    }
}

fn double_recon() -> bool {
    // ROUTED AT BUILD TIME (routing round 2026-09-05): the shipped arm is the
    // constant below; the env A/B arm exists only under `--features knobs`.
    #[cfg(not(feature = "knobs"))]
    {
        return false;
    }
    #[cfg(feature = "knobs")]
    {
        static V: rusty_h264_common::once::OnceLock<bool> = rusty_h264_common::once::OnceLock::new();
        // `== "1"`, not `is_some()`: the old presence test meant even
        // `RS_H264_DOUBLE_RECON=0` DOUBLED the recon work — the one knob in the
        // inventory whose "off" spelling turned it on (2026-08-27 audit, site 8).
        *V.get_or_init(|| rusty_h264_common::knob("RS_H264_DOUBLE_RECON").is_some_and(|v| v == "1"))
    }
}

fn edc_bound() -> usize {
    static V: rusty_h264_common::once::OnceLock<usize> = rusty_h264_common::once::OnceLock::new();
    *V.get_or_init(|| {
        rusty_h264_common::knob("RS_H264_EDC_BOUND")
            .and_then(|v| v.parse().ok())
            .unwrap_or(256)
    })
}

/// D12 — E2 THREADING DISPATCH. Fires on `720p-or-smaller AND bits/MB > 38.4`.
///
/// The seam threads unconditionally before this, and that shipped a REGRESSION:
/// 8-10% slower wall on main profile for 38-56% more CPU. It cannot pay in
/// general — the pixel half is only ~15.6% of decode, so Amdahl caps two
/// threads at 1.085x — but it DOES win on some streams, so the answer is a
/// dispatch, not abandonment.
///
/// Fitted with `bench/examples/gate_optimizer.rs` over **28 interleaved
/// configurations** (12 clips x core counts 4-8, `bench/pinmtx.ps1`):
/// **net +29.40 of +30.70 perfect**, train +25.10 AND holdout +4.30, worst
/// fired class **+2.94**, precision 0.80. It forgoes +0.40 of wins to avoid
/// **169.90** of losses. Calibration: depth-2 **2/300** rules passed (0.67%),
/// so the separation carries information.
///
/// Per clause, both load-bearing (dropping either: -20.50 / -50.60, 6-7 big
/// losers):
/// * `bits/MB > 38.4` — coefficient density is the runtime proxy for PIXEL
///   SHARE: more coefficients means more residual work on the far side of the
///   seam. Threshold sits in an open gap (highest excluded 35.4, lowest firing
///   41.4). Note this is the OPPOSITE direction to an earlier hand-fitted
///   `bits < 65`, which was fitted to one clip and falsified.
/// * frame <= 720p — every 1080p configuration measured loses, including a
///   low-density one, so density alone is not sufficient.
/// * `cabac` — ADDED 2026-08-07 after the CAVLC arm made those units
///   measurable. bits/MB DOES NOT TRANSFER ACROSS ENTROPY CODERS: CAVLC needs
///   more bits for the SAME coefficients, so its density (62-65) reads deep
///   inside the firing region while its pixel work is unchanged. Without this
///   clause the rule routed CAVLC into threading, where it measured 1.29-1.49x
///   SLOWER — net -52.30, worst class -40.85. With it, +29.40 and worst class
///   +2.94. `gate_optimizer` could not find this: the rule needs THREE clauses
///   and the search is depth-2 (both depth-2 pairs fail, -20.50 / -50.60).
///
/// The estimate comes from ALREADY-DECODED slices, so the first slice of a
/// stream runs INLINE (the safe arm) until a measurement exists. Both arms are
/// byte-identical, so the choice can never affect output.
/// Invoked only by `RS_H264_EDC_MT=auto` (the pre-2026-08-11 default).
fn edc_dispatch(mb_w: usize, mb_h: usize, bits_per_mb: f64, cabac: bool) -> bool {
    const BITS_MIN: f64 = 38.4;
    const MAX_MBS: usize = 5000; // 720p = 3600, 1080p = 8160
                                 // The `cabac` clause is NOT cosmetic — see the header note. Without it this
                                 // rule scores net -52.30 with worst class -40.85 once CAVLC units are in the
                                 // corpus, because CAVLC's bits/MB is inflated by a less efficient entropy
                                 // coder rather than by more pixel work.
    cabac && bits_per_mb > BITS_MIN && mb_w * mb_h <= MAX_MBS
}

fn edc_mt() -> Option<bool> {
    static V: rusty_h264_common::once::OnceLock<Option<bool>> =
        rusty_h264_common::once::OnceLock::new();
    *V.get_or_init(
        || match rusty_h264_common::knob("RS_H264_EDC_MT").as_deref() {
            Some("0") => Some(false),
            Some("1") => Some(true),
            Some("auto") => None,
            _ => Some(false),
        },
    )
}

/// Spawn `edc_worker`? ffmpeg never does this: the picture thread owns recon.
/// Frame-MT workers (`FRAME_THREADS>1`) always inline. Otherwise honor the knob
/// (`1` / `0` / `auto`→[`edc_dispatch`]; unset = inline).
fn edc_spawn_worker(mb_w: usize, mb_h: usize, bits_per_mb: f64, cabac: bool) -> bool {
    #[cfg(not(feature = "std"))]
    {
        let _ = (mb_w, mb_h, bits_per_mb, cabac);
        false
    }
    #[cfg(feature = "std")]
    {
        if crate::frame_threads() > 1 {
            return false;
        }
        edc_mt().unwrap_or_else(|| edc_dispatch(mb_w, mb_h, bits_per_mb, cabac))
    }
}

/// Picture-end bS precompute (rowdb-off fallback). `RS_H264_BS_PRE=0` opts out.
fn bs_pre_on() -> bool {
    // ROUTED AT BUILD TIME (routing round 2026-09-05): the shipped arm is the
    // constant below; the env A/B arm exists only under `--features knobs`.
    #[cfg(not(feature = "knobs"))]
    {
        return true;
    }
    #[cfg(feature = "knobs")]
    {
        static V: rusty_h264_common::once::OnceLock<bool> = rusty_h264_common::once::OnceLock::new();
        *V.get_or_init(|| !rusty_h264_common::knob("RS_H264_BS_PRE").is_some_and(|v| v == "0"))
    }
}

/// Row-interleaved deblocking master knob: `RS_H264_ROWDB=0` opts out,
/// restoring the picture-end pipeline (WHYS Part 17) as the A/B comparator.
/// MEASUREMENT KNOB — `RS_H264_KIND_LOADS=1` restores the Blk::load-based
/// kind arms in derive_bs_row (see the routing comment there) for paired A/B.
fn kind_loads() -> bool {
    // ROUTED AT BUILD TIME (routing round 2026-09-05): the shipped arm is the
    // constant below; the env A/B arm exists only under `--features knobs`.
    #[cfg(not(feature = "knobs"))]
    {
        return false;
    }
    #[cfg(feature = "knobs")]
    {
        static V: rusty_h264_common::once::OnceLock<bool> = rusty_h264_common::once::OnceLock::new();
        *V.get_or_init(|| rusty_h264_common::knob("RS_H264_KIND_LOADS").is_some_and(|v| v == "1"))
    }
}

fn rowdb_on() -> bool {
    // ROUTED AT BUILD TIME (routing round 2026-09-05): the shipped arm is the
    // constant below; the env A/B arm exists only under `--features knobs`.
    #[cfg(not(feature = "knobs"))]
    {
        return true;
    }
    #[cfg(feature = "knobs")]
    {
        use core::sync::atomic::{AtomicU8, Ordering};
        static ON: AtomicU8 = AtomicU8::new(0);
        match ON.load(Ordering::Relaxed) {
            0 => {
                let v = !rusty_h264_common::knob("RS_H264_ROWDB").is_some_and(|v| v == "0");
                ON.store(if v { 1 } else { 2 }, Ordering::Relaxed);
                v
            }
            n => n == 1,
        }
    }
}

/// A/B: per-MB `row_hook` body even when no row has completed (old behaviour).
fn rowhook_eager() -> bool {
    // ROUTED AT BUILD TIME (routing round 2026-09-05): the shipped arm is the
    // constant below; the env A/B arm exists only under `--features knobs`.
    #[cfg(not(feature = "knobs"))]
    {
        return false;
    }
    #[cfg(feature = "knobs")]
    {
        static V: rusty_h264_common::once::OnceLock<bool> = rusty_h264_common::once::OnceLock::new();
        *V.get_or_init(|| rusty_h264_common::knob("RS_H264_ROWHOOK_EAGER").is_some_and(|v| v == "1"))
    }
}

/// A/B: `RS_H264_DIRECT_MEMO=0` rewalks spatial-direct neighbours every 8×8.
#[inline]
fn direct_memo_on() -> bool {
    // ROUTED AT BUILD TIME (routing round 2026-09-05): the shipped arm is the
    // constant below; the env A/B arm exists only under `--features knobs`.
    #[cfg(not(feature = "knobs"))]
    {
        return true;
    }
    #[cfg(feature = "knobs")]
    {
        static V: rusty_h264_common::once::OnceLock<bool> = rusty_h264_common::once::OnceLock::new();
        *V.get_or_init(|| !rusty_h264_common::knob("RS_H264_DIRECT_MEMO").is_some_and(|v| v == "0"))
    }
}

/// 4×4-block (z-order) → 30-entry (6-stride) mv/ref/mvd cache index (openh264
/// g_kCache30ScanIdx). Top neighbour = cache[idx-6], left = cache[idx-1].
use rusty_h264_common::cabac_tables::CACHE30;

/// z-order 4×4-block → raster index (openh264 g_kuiScan4). Per-MB mvd/ref state is
/// stored raster-indexed (matching how neighbour blocks 3/7/11/15 and 12..15 are read).
use rusty_h264_common::cabac_tables::G_SCAN4;

/// P `sub_mb_type` CABAC (openh264 `ParseSubMBTypeCabac`, ctx 21). 0=8×8, 1=8×4, 2=4×8, 3=4×4.
fn parse_sub_mb_type_p_cabac(cab: &mut crate::cabac::Cabac) -> u32 {
    const S: usize = 21;
    let (data, mut e, ctx) = cab.view();
    let v = if e.decode_decision(data, ctx, S) != 0 {
        0
    } else if e.decode_decision(data, ctx, S + 1) != 0 {
        3 - e.decode_decision(data, ctx, S + 2)
    } else {
        1
    };
    cab.commit(e);
    v
}

/// Intra `mb_type` sub-parse for P/B slices (openh264 `DecodeCabacIntraMbType`, `base`=32
/// for B), on a live engine view. Returns 0 = I_4x4, 1..=24 = I_16x16, 25 = I_PCM (in
/// the intra numbering).
#[inline(always)]
fn intra_mb_type_eng(e: &mut Eng, data: &[u8], ctx: &mut Ctx, base: usize) -> u32 {
    if e.decode_decision(data, ctx, base) == 0 {
        return 0; // I_4x4
    }
    if e.decode_terminate(data) {
        return 25; // I_PCM
    }
    let mut t = 1 + 12 * e.decode_decision(data, ctx, base + 1) as u32; // cbp_luma != 0
    if e.decode_decision(data, ctx, base + 2) != 0 {
        t += 4 + 4 * e.decode_decision(data, ctx, base + 2) as u32;
    }
    t += 2 * e.decode_decision(data, ctx, base + 3) as u32;
    t += e.decode_decision(data, ctx, base + 3) as u32;
    t
}

/// B `mb_type` CABAC (openh264 `ParseMBTypeBSliceCabac`, ctx base 27). `ctx_inc` = (left
/// avail & !direct) + (top avail & !direct). Returns 0 = B_Direct_16x16, 1..=21 = the
/// L0/L1/Bi 16x16/16x8/8x16 shapes, 22 = B_8x8, 23.. = intra (mb_type - 23).
/// Test-only alias so the ENCODER crate can gate `cb_mb_type_b` against this
/// parser directly -- they are exact inverses, so a round-trip is a complete gate.
#[doc(hidden)]
pub fn parse_mb_type_b(cab: &mut crate::cabac::Cabac, ctx_inc: usize) -> u32 {
    parse_mb_type_b_cabac(cab, ctx_inc)
}

#[inline]
fn parse_mb_type_b_cabac(cab: &mut crate::cabac::Cabac, ctx_inc: usize) -> u32 {
    let _g = rusty_h264_common::prof::scope(rusty_h264_common::prof::Stage::Syntax);
    const B: usize = 27;
    let (data, mut e, ctx) = cab.view();
    let v = mb_type_b_eng(&mut e, data, ctx, B, ctx_inc);
    cab.commit(e);
    v
}

#[inline(always)]
fn mb_type_b_eng(e: &mut Eng, data: &[u8], ctx: &mut Ctx, b: usize, ctx_inc: usize) -> u32 {
    if e.decode_decision(data, ctx, b + ctx_inc) == 0 {
        return 0; // B_Direct_16x16
    }
    if e.decode_decision(data, ctx, b + 3) == 0 {
        return 1 + e.decode_decision(data, ctx, b + 5); // 16x16 L0 / L1
    }
    let mut m = e.decode_decision(data, ctx, b + 4) << 3;
    m |= e.decode_decision(data, ctx, b + 5) << 2;
    m |= e.decode_decision(data, ctx, b + 5) << 1;
    m |= e.decode_decision(data, ctx, b + 5);
    if m < 8 {
        return m + 3;
    }
    if m == 13 {
        return intra_mb_type_eng(e, data, ctx, 32) + 23;
    }
    if m == 14 {
        return 11; // B_Bi_8x16
    }
    if m == 15 {
        return 22; // B_8x8
    }
    m = (m << 1) | e.decode_decision(data, ctx, b + 5);
    m - 4
}

/// B `sub_mb_type` CABAC (openh264 `ParseBSubMBTypeCabac`, ctx base 36). Returns 0..=12
/// per spec Table 7-18 (0 = B_Direct_8x8, 1 = B_L0_8x8, ..., 12 = B_Bi_4x4).
fn parse_sub_mb_type_b_cabac(cab: &mut crate::cabac::Cabac) -> u32 {
    const B: usize = 36;
    let (data, mut e, ctx) = cab.view();
    let v = 'v: {
        if e.decode_decision(data, ctx, B) == 0 {
            break 'v 0; // B_Direct_8x8
        }
        if e.decode_decision(data, ctx, B + 1) == 0 {
            break 'v 1 + e.decode_decision(data, ctx, B + 3); // B_L0_8x8 / B_L1_8x8
        }
        let mut st = 3u32;
        if e.decode_decision(data, ctx, B + 2) != 0 {
            if e.decode_decision(data, ctx, B + 3) != 0 {
                break 'v 11 + e.decode_decision(data, ctx, B + 3); // B_L1_4x4 / B_Bi_4x4
            }
            st += 4;
        }
        st += 2 * e.decode_decision(data, ctx, B + 3);
        st += e.decode_decision(data, ctx, B + 3);
        st
    };
    cab.commit(e);
    v
}

/// Parse one motion partition's `mvd` (x,y) and splat it into the 30-entry cache + the
/// per-MB raster mvd/ref state. `part_idx` = the partition's top-left z-order block (for
/// the ctxInc neighbour lookup); `zblocks` = every z-order 4×4 block the partition covers.
fn parse_mvd_partition(
    cab: &mut crate::cabac::Cabac,
    part_idx: usize,
    zblocks: &[usize],
    mvdc: &mut [[i16; 2]; 30],
    refc: &mut [i8; 30],
    mmvd: &mut [[i16; 2]; 16],
    mref: &mut [i8; 16],
    ref_idx: i8,
) -> (i32, i32) {
    let _g = rusty_h264_common::prof::scope(rusty_h264_common::prof::Stage::Syntax);
    // `CACHE30` is [usize; 16] and every entry lies in [7, 28]; the mask and
    // clamp are semantic no-ops that hand LLVM the ranges it cannot infer, so
    // the `refc[s - 6]` / `mvdc[s - 1]` indexes into the 30-entry caches become
    // provable instead of bounds-checked.
    let s = CACHE30[part_idx & 15].clamp(6, 29);
    // Neighbour AVAILABILITY is per-neighbour, not per-component: the old closure
    // re-tested both refc slots for each of x and y, four loads to answer two
    // questions. Resolve once, then sum each component.
    let (av_b, av_a) = (refc[s - 6] >= 0, refc[s - 1] >= 0);
    let (nb, na) = (mvdc[s - 6], mvdc[s - 1]);
    let ctx = |comp: usize| -> usize {
        let mut a = 0i32;
        if av_b {
            a += nb[comp].unsigned_abs() as i32;
        }
        if av_a {
            a += na[comp].unsigned_abs() as i32;
        }
        if a >= 3 {
            1 + (a > 32) as usize
        } else {
            0
        }
    };
    let (cx, cy) = (ctx(0), ctx(1));
    // Both components on ONE engine view (see `Cabac::view`).
    let (data, mut e, ctx) = cab.view();
    let mvx = mvd_component(&mut e, data, ctx, 0, cx);
    let mvy = mvd_component(&mut e, data, ctx, 1, cy);
    cab.commit(e);
    let mvd = [mvx, mvy];
    if zblocks.len() == 16 {
        // Whole-macroblock partition (the dominant B shape): every raster slot
        // takes the same value — one fill each instead of 16 indexed stores.
        mmvd.fill(mvd);
        mref.fill(ref_idx);
        // The 16 z-blocks land on FOUR contiguous 4-entry runs of the 6-stride
        // cache (rows 7.., 13.., 19.., 25..): eight fills instead of 32 stores.
        for r in [7usize, 13, 19, 25] {
            mvdc[r..r + 4].fill(mvd);
            refc[r..r + 4].fill(ref_idx);
        }
    } else {
        for &zb in zblocks {
            // Each table was being read twice per block.
            let (c, g) = (CACHE30[zb & 15], G_SCAN4[zb & 15]);
            mvdc[c] = mvd;
            refc[c] = ref_idx;
            mmvd[g] = mvd;
            mref[g] = ref_idx;
        }
    }
    (mvx as i32, mvy as i32)
}

/// `ref_idx_l0` (P) CABAC — mirror of the encoder `cb_ref_idx`. Unary, ctxIdxOffset
/// 54: binIdx 0 → `ctx0` (condTermFlagA + 2·condTermFlagB), binIdx 1 → 4, binIdx ≥2 → 5.
pub fn parse_ref_idx_cabac(cab: &mut crate::cabac::Cabac, ctx0: usize) -> i8 {
    const B: usize = 54;
    let (data, mut e, ctx) = cab.view();
    let mut r = 0i8;
    let mut bin_idx = 0u32;
    // Cap the unary length: valid ref_idx <= 15 (16 refs max); the cap keeps a corrupt
    // stream from looping unboundedly. The MC clamps the index, so an over-range value
    // is decoded as garbage (never a panic) -- the robustness contract, not correctness.
    while bin_idx < 32 {
        let c = match bin_idx {
            0 => ctx0,
            1 => 4,
            _ => 5,
        };
        if e.decode_decision(data, ctx, B + c) == 0 {
            break;
        }
        r += 1;
        bin_idx += 1;
    }
    cab.commit(e);
    r
}

/// UEG3 mvd suffix (openh264 `DecodeUEGMvCabac`): TU prefix at `base + {0,1,2,3,3,..}`
/// (<=7), then EG3 bypass. Inlined into `parse_mvd_partition` for the same
/// register-residency reason as `cabac_ueg_level`.
#[inline(always)]
fn decode_ueg_mv(e: &mut Eng, data: &[u8], ctx: &mut Ctx, base: usize) -> u32 {
    const P2C: [usize; 8] = [0, 1, 2, 3, 3, 3, 3, 3];
    if e.decode_decision(data, ctx, base) == 0 {
        return 0;
    }
    let mut code = 0u32;
    let mut count = 1usize;
    let mut tmp;
    loop {
        // `count` is 1..=7 here; `& 7` is the own bound of the 8-entry table.
        tmp = e.decode_decision(data, ctx, base + P2C[count & 7]);
        code += 1;
        count += 1;
        if tmp == 0 || count == 8 {
            break;
        }
    }
    if tmp != 0 {
        let (v, e2) = cabac_exp_bypass(*e, data, 3);
        *e = e2;
        code += v + 1;
    }
    code
}

/// One `mvd` component (openh264 `ParseMvdInfoCabac`) on a live engine view.
/// `ctx_inc` (0/1/2) from the neighbour |mvd| sum. ctxIdxOffset 40 (x) / 47 (y).
#[inline(always)]
fn mvd_component(e: &mut Eng, data: &[u8], ctx: &mut Ctx, comp: usize, ctx_inc: usize) -> i16 {
    let base = 40 + comp * 7; // NEW_CTX_OFFSET_MVD + comp*CTX_NUM_MVD
    if e.decode_decision(data, ctx, base + ctx_inc) == 0 {
        return 0;
    }
    let mag = (decode_ueg_mv(e, data, ctx, base + 3) + 1) as i16;
    if e.decode_bypass(data) != 0 {
        -mag
    } else {
        mag
    }
}

/// P-slice `mb_type` CABAC (openh264 `ParseMBTypePSliceCabac`). Returns 0..3 = inter
/// (P_L0_16x16 / P_16x8 / P_8x16 / P_8x8), 5 = I_4x4, 6..29 = I_16x16, 30 = I_PCM.
#[inline(always)]
fn mb_type_p_eng(e: &mut Eng, data: &[u8], ctx: &mut Ctx) -> u32 {
    let _g = rusty_h264_common::prof::scope(rusty_h264_common::prof::Stage::Syntax);
    const S: usize = 11; // NEW_CTX_OFFSET_SKIP; P mb_type contexts hang off it
    let v = 'v: {
        if e.decode_decision(data, ctx, S + 3) == 0 {
            // inter
            break 'v if e.decode_decision(data, ctx, S + 4) != 0 {
                if e.decode_decision(data, ctx, S + 6) != 0 {
                    1
                } else {
                    2
                }
            } else if e.decode_decision(data, ctx, S + 5) != 0 {
                3
            } else {
                0
            };
        }
        // intra (prefix bit was 1)
        if e.decode_decision(data, ctx, S + 6) == 0 {
            break 'v 5; // I_4x4
        }
        if e.decode_terminate(data) {
            break 'v 30; // I_PCM
        }
        let mut t = 6 + e.decode_decision(data, ctx, S + 7) * 12;
        if e.decode_decision(data, ctx, S + 8) != 0 {
            t += 4;
            if e.decode_decision(data, ctx, S + 8) != 0 {
                t += 4;
            }
        }
        t += e.decode_decision(data, ctx, S + 9) << 1;
        t += e.decode_decision(data, ctx, S + 9);
        t
    };
    v
}

/// I-slice `mb_type` CABAC parse (spec §9.3.2.5 / openh264 `ParseMBTypeISliceCabac`).
/// `ctx_inc` = (left MB is I_16x16/non-intra) + (top MB is …), i.e. 0..2; the corner
/// MB has no neighbours so `ctx_inc = 0`. Returns the raw mb_type: 0 = I_NxN (I_4x4/
/// I_8x8), 1..24 = I_16x16 (pred-mode/cbp packed), 25 = I_PCM.
fn parse_mb_type_i_cabac(cab: &mut crate::cabac::Cabac, ctx_inc: usize) -> u32 {
    const O: usize = 3; // ctxIdxOffset for I-slice mb_type
    let (data, mut e, ctx) = cab.view();
    let v = 'v: {
        if e.decode_decision(data, ctx, O + ctx_inc) == 0 {
            break 'v 0; // I_NxN
        }
        if e.decode_terminate(data) {
            break 'v 25; // I_PCM
        }
        let mut t = 1 + e.decode_decision(data, ctx, O + 3) * 12; // CBP luma: 0 or 12
        if e.decode_decision(data, ctx, O + 4) != 0 {
            t += 4; // CBP chroma 1 or 2
            if e.decode_decision(data, ctx, O + 5) != 0 {
                t += 4;
            }
        }
        t += e.decode_decision(data, ctx, O + 6) << 1; // I_16x16 pred mode (2 bins)
        t += e.decode_decision(data, ctx, O + 7);
        t
    };
    cab.commit(e);
    v
}

/// One `Intra_4x4` (or `8x8`) pred-mode parse on a live engine view (openh264
/// `ParseIntraPredModeLumaCabac`): `prev_intra4x4_pred_mode_flag` (ctx 68) then, if 0,
/// `rem_intra4x4_pred_mode` (3 bins at ctx 69). Returns `-1` for "use predicted
/// mode", else the 0..7 remainder. The 16 (or 4) reads of a macroblock share ONE view.
#[inline(always)]
fn intra4x4_pred_mode_eng(e: &mut Eng, data: &[u8], ctx: &mut Ctx) -> i32 {
    const IPR: usize = 68;
    if e.decode_decision(data, ctx, IPR) == 1 {
        return -1; // prev_intra4x4_pred_mode_flag = 1
    }
    let mut m = e.decode_decision(data, ctx, IPR + 1) as i32;
    m |= (e.decode_decision(data, ctx, IPR + 1) as i32) << 1;
    m |= (e.decode_decision(data, ctx, IPR + 1) as i32) << 2;
    m
}

/// One `Intra_4x4` (or `8x8`) pred-mode CABAC parse (openh264 `ParseIntraPredModeLuma
/// Cabac`): `prev_intra4x4_pred_mode_flag` (ctx 68) then, if 0, `rem_intra4x4_pred_mode`
/// (3 bins at ctx 69). Returns `-1` for "use predicted mode", else the 0..7 remainder.

/// `intra_chroma_pred_mode` CABAC parse (openh264 `ParseIntraPredModeChromaCabac`):
/// TU(cMax=3) — bin0 at ctx `64 + ctx_inc` (ctx_inc from neighbour chroma modes, 0 for
/// the corner MB), the rest at ctx 67. Returns the mode 0..3.
fn parse_intra_chroma_pred_mode_cabac(cab: &mut crate::cabac::Cabac, ctx_inc: usize) -> u32 {
    const CIPR: usize = 64;
    if cab.decode_decision(CIPR + ctx_inc) == 0 {
        return 0;
    }
    if cab.decode_decision(CIPR + 3) == 0 {
        return 1;
    }
    if cab.decode_decision(CIPR + 3) == 0 {
        return 2;
    }
    3
}

/// `coded_block_pattern` CABAC parse (openh264 `ParseCbpInfoCabac`), corner-MB variant
/// (top/left neighbours unavailable → their terms are 0). ctxIdxOffset 73 (luma) with 4
/// z-order 8×8 bins whose ctxInc uses the EARLIER-decoded bits within this MB, then
/// chroma bits at 77/81. Returns cbp: bits 0-3 = luma 8×8, bits 4-5 = chroma pattern.
pub fn parse_cbp_cabac(cab: &mut crate::cabac::Cabac, top: Option<u8>, left: Option<u8>) -> u32 {
    let _g = rusty_h264_common::prof::scope(rusty_h264_common::prof::Stage::Syntax);
    const CBP: usize = 73;
    // Neighbour terms folded ONCE into two 4-bit masks: bit k of `tz` / `lz` is
    // the condTermFlag "the 8x8 block k of that neighbour is NOT coded"
    // (unavailable => 0). The six per-bin `Option::map_or` closures this
    // replaces re-matched the same two Options for every luma bin.
    let tz = top.map_or(0u32, |c| !(c as u32) & 0xF);
    let lz = left.map_or(0u32, |c| !(c as u32) & 0xF);
    let tc = top.map_or(0u32, |c| (c >> 4) as u32);
    let lc = left.map_or(0u32, |c| (c >> 4) as u32);
    let (data, mut e, ctx) = cab.view();
    // Luma, 4 8x8 blocks in z-order. Top uses cbp bits 2/3, left uses 1/3; a
    // block already decoded in THIS macroblock contributes `bin ^ 1`.
    let b0 = e.decode_decision(
        data,
        ctx,
        CBP + (((lz >> 1) & 1) + (((tz >> 2) & 1) << 1)) as usize,
    );
    let b1 = e.decode_decision(
        data,
        ctx,
        CBP + ((b0 ^ 1) + (((tz >> 3) & 1) << 1)) as usize,
    );
    let b2 = e.decode_decision(
        data,
        ctx,
        CBP + (((lz >> 3) & 1) + ((b0 ^ 1) << 1)) as usize,
    );
    let b3 = e.decode_decision(data, ctx, CBP + ((b2 ^ 1) + ((b1 ^ 1) << 1)) as usize);
    let mut cbp = b0 | (b1 << 1) | (b2 << 2) | (b3 << 3);
    // Chroma (4:2:0). ctxInc from neighbour chroma cbp (>>4).
    let (ct, cl) = ((tc != 0) as u32, (lc != 0) as u32);
    if e.decode_decision(data, ctx, CBP + 4 + (cl + (ct << 1)) as usize) != 0 {
        let (ct2, cl2) = ((tc == 2) as u32, (lc == 2) as u32);
        let c1 = e.decode_decision(data, ctx, CBP + 8 + (cl2 + (ct2 << 1)) as usize);
        cbp |= 1 << (4 + c1);
    }
    cab.commit(e);
    cbp
}

/// Inlined: `num_ref_active` is loop-invariant at every partition site, so the
/// te(v) branch folds and the bit/ue read lands in the caller with no call.
#[inline]
fn read_ref_idx(r: &mut BitReader, num_ref_active: usize) -> Result<i32, OutOfData> {
    if num_ref_active == 2 {
        Ok(if r.read_bit()? { 0 } else { 1 }) // te(v): value = !bit
    } else {
        Ok(r.read_ue()? as i32)
    }
}

/// B-partition prediction direction.
#[derive(Clone, Copy, PartialEq)]
enum BPred {
    L0,
    L1,
    Bi,
}
impl BPred {
    /// Whether this direction uses reference list `list` (0 or 1).
    fn uses(self, list: usize) -> bool {
        matches!(
            (self, list),
            (BPred::L0, 0) | (BPred::L1, 1) | (BPred::Bi, 0) | (BPred::Bi, 1)
        )
    }
}

const B16X16: &[(usize, usize, usize, usize)] = &[(0, 0, 16, 16)];
const B16X8: &[(usize, usize, usize, usize)] = &[(0, 0, 16, 8), (0, 8, 16, 8)];
const B8X16: &[(usize, usize, usize, usize)] = &[(0, 0, 8, 16), (8, 0, 8, 16)];

/// A partition region `(x, y, w, h)` in samples.
type Region = (usize, usize, usize, usize);

/// B `mb_type` 1..=21 → (partition layout, MV-prediction mode 0/1/2 for 16×16/
/// 16×8/8×16, per-partition prediction direction) (spec Table 7-14).
/// Test-only view of [`b_inter_layout`] for the ENCODER crate: `(mvmode, p0, p1)`
/// with pred coded 1 = L0, 2 = L1, 3 = Bi — the encoder's `b_part_mb_type` is the
/// exact inverse, so a round-trip over 4..=21 gates the two tables against drift.
pub fn b_inter_shape(mb_type: u32) -> (u8, u8, u8) {
    let (_, mvmode, preds) = b_inter_layout(mb_type);
    let code = |p: BPred| match (p.uses(0), p.uses(1)) {
        (true, true) => 3,
        (true, false) => 1,
        _ => 2,
    };
    (mvmode, code(preds[0]), code(preds[1]))
}

fn b_inter_layout(mb_type: u32) -> (&'static [Region], u8, [BPred; 2]) {
    use BPred::*;
    match mb_type {
        1 => (B16X16, 0, [L0, L0]),
        2 => (B16X16, 0, [L1, L1]),
        3 => (B16X16, 0, [Bi, Bi]),
        4 => (B16X8, 1, [L0, L0]),
        5 => (B8X16, 2, [L0, L0]),
        6 => (B16X8, 1, [L1, L1]),
        7 => (B8X16, 2, [L1, L1]),
        8 => (B16X8, 1, [L0, L1]),
        9 => (B8X16, 2, [L0, L1]),
        10 => (B16X8, 1, [L1, L0]),
        11 => (B8X16, 2, [L1, L0]),
        12 => (B16X8, 1, [L0, Bi]),
        13 => (B8X16, 2, [L0, Bi]),
        14 => (B16X8, 1, [L1, Bi]),
        15 => (B8X16, 2, [L1, Bi]),
        16 => (B16X8, 1, [Bi, L0]),
        17 => (B8X16, 2, [Bi, L0]),
        18 => (B16X8, 1, [Bi, L1]),
        19 => (B8X16, 2, [Bi, L1]),
        20 => (B16X8, 1, [Bi, Bi]),
        _ => (B8X16, 2, [Bi, Bi]), // 21
    }
}

/// Whether a B `sub_mb_type` (1..=12) uses reference list `list`.
fn b_sub_uses(st: u32, list: usize) -> bool {
    let pred = match st {
        1 | 4 | 5 | 10 => 0, // L0
        2 | 6 | 7 | 11 => 1, // L1
        _ => 2,              // Bi (3, 8, 9, 12)
    };
    (list == 0 && pred != 1) || (list == 1 && pred != 0)
}

/// Sub-partition shapes within an 8×8 for a B `sub_mb_type` (1..=12).
fn b_sub_parts(st: u32) -> &'static [(usize, usize, usize, usize)] {
    match st {
        1..=3 => &[(0, 0, 8, 8)],
        4 | 6 | 8 => &[(0, 0, 8, 4), (0, 4, 8, 4)],
        5 | 7 | 9 => &[(0, 0, 4, 8), (4, 0, 4, 8)],
        _ => &[(0, 0, 4, 4), (4, 0, 4, 4), (0, 4, 4, 4), (4, 4, 4, 4)], // 10/11/12
    }
}

/// Sub-macroblock partition layout `(x, y, w, h)` in samples within an 8×8, for
/// a P-slice `sub_mb_type` (0 = 8×8, 1 = 8×4, 2 = 4×8, 3 = 4×4).
fn sub_mb_partitions(sub_type: u32) -> &'static [(usize, usize, usize, usize)] {
    match sub_type {
        0 => &[(0, 0, 8, 8)],
        1 => &[(0, 0, 8, 4), (0, 4, 8, 4)],
        2 => &[(0, 0, 4, 8), (4, 0, 4, 8)],
        _ => &[(0, 0, 4, 4), (4, 0, 4, 4), (0, 4, 4, 4), (4, 4, 4, 4)],
    }
}

/// Copy a contiguous `w`x`h` block into a strided destination at `(x0, y0)`.
///
/// The width is SPECIALISED. Written as a per-pixel loop bounded by a runtime `w`,
/// this lowers to a bounds-checked store per pixel — and where it is a row copy of
/// runtime length, to a variable-length `memcpy` CALL per row. Both are the same
/// codegen trap the ENCODER fixed long ago ("H-17"); the decoder's copy of it was
/// never fixed, and it costs the most on exactly the streams a real encoder emits,
/// because x264's sub-16x16 partitions call it far more often than our own
/// 16x16-dominated bitstreams ever did. Byte-identical to the scalar form.
#[inline]
fn restride(
    dst: &mut [u8],
    dst_stride: usize,
    x0: usize,
    y0: usize,
    src: &[u8],
    w: usize,
    h: usize,
) {
    macro_rules! rows {
        ($n:expr) => {{
            for dy in 0..h {
                dst[(y0 + dy) * dst_stride + x0..][..$n].copy_from_slice(&src[dy * $n..][..$n]);
            }
        }};
    }
    match w {
        16 => rows!(16),
        8 => rows!(8),
        4 => rows!(4),
        2 => rows!(2),
        _ => {
            for dy in 0..h {
                dst[(y0 + dy) * dst_stride + x0..][..w].copy_from_slice(&src[dy * w..][..w]);
            }
        }
    }
}

/// Un-scans an 8×8 block from frame zig-zag scan order to raster (spec Table 8-12).
fn un_scan_8x8(scan: &[i32; 64]) -> [i32; 64] {
    const ZZ8: [usize; 64] = [
        0, 1, 8, 16, 9, 2, 3, 10, 17, 24, 32, 25, 18, 11, 4, 5, 12, 19, 26, 33, 40, 48, 41, 34, 27,
        20, 13, 6, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42, 49, 56, 57, 50, 43, 36, 29, 22, 15, 23, 30, 37, 44, 51,
        58, 59, 52, 45, 38, 31, 39, 46, 53, 60, 61, 54, 47, 55, 62, 63,
    ];
    let mut out = [0i32; 64];
    for k in 0..64 {
        out[ZZ8[k]] = scan[k];
    }
    out
}

#[cfg(test)]
mod tests {
    use super::*;

    fn fd(qp: u8, offset: i32) -> FrameDecoder {
        FrameDecoder::new(1, 1, qp, offset, Vec::new(), 1, false, false, true)
    }

    #[test]
    fn mb_qp_delta_accumulates_mod_52() {
        let mut d = fd(26, 0);
        assert_eq!(d.cur_qp, 26, "QPy starts at the slice QP");
        d.step_qp(4).unwrap();
        assert_eq!(d.cur_qp, 30); // 26 + 4
        d.step_qp(-10).unwrap();
        assert_eq!(d.cur_qp, 20); // carries from the previous MB, not the slice
                                  // Wrap-around: (20 + 40 + 52) % 52 = 112 % 52 = 8.
        d.step_qp(40).unwrap();
        assert_eq!(d.cur_qp, 8);
        // Negative wrap: (8 - 20 + 52) % 52 = 40.
        d.step_qp(-20).unwrap();
        assert_eq!(d.cur_qp, 40);
    }

    #[test]
    fn chroma_qp_index_offset_applied_and_clamped() {
        // Offset 0 reproduces the bare luma->chroma table (QP30 -> 29).
        assert_eq!(fd(0, 0).chroma_qp_for(30), 29);
        // Positive offset shifts the table lookup (QP30 + 2 -> table[2] = 31).
        assert_eq!(fd(0, 2).chroma_qp_for(30), 31);
        // The qPi index is clamped into 0..=51 before the lookup.
        assert_eq!(fd(0, -12).chroma_qp_for(5), chroma_qp(0));
        assert_eq!(fd(0, 99).chroma_qp_for(40), chroma_qp(51));
    }
}