1. A method for three-dimensional or multi-view video encoding or decoding of texture data in a dependent view, the method comprising: receiving input data associated with a current texture block in the dependent view; deriving an estimated disparity vector from a plurality of disparity vector candidates by: selecting an initial disparity vector from the plurality of disparity vector candidates to retrieve a depth reference block in a coded view; extracting a second disparity vector from the depth reference block, wherein the second disparity vector points to a first location in the dependent view from the corresponding texture block in the coded view; determining at least one parameter associated with the initial disparity vector and the second disparity vector; and selecting one disparity vector candidate from the plurality of disparity vector candidates as the estimated disparity vector based on the at least one parameter; identifying a collocated depth block in the coded view collocated with the corresponding texture block in the coded view; deriving virtual depth information for the dependent view based on the collocated depth block in the coded view; and applying coding process to the input data utilizing the virtual depth information.