Abstract

Random access to arbitrary fields of a video segment compressed using both interframe and intraframe techniques is enhanced by adding state information to the bitstream prior to each intraframe compressed image to allow each intraframe compressed image to be randomly accessed, by generating a field index that maps each temporal field to the offset in the compressed bitstream of the data used to decode the field, and by playing back segments using two or more alternatingly used decoders. The cut density may be improved by eliminating from the bitstream applied to each decoder any data corresponding to bidirectionally compressed images that would otherwise be used by the decoder to generate fields prior to the desired field.