METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR ENCODING AND DECODING VIDEO DATA TO ENABLE RANDOM ACCESS AND SPLICING

Various embodiments provide approaches that facilitate decoding in the context of video coding standards that allow for complicated dependencies among pictures of an encoded sequence of pictures. In some embodiments, the notion of a random access point or “RAP” is utilized. A random access point is effectively a location within a picture sequence that contains information that facilitates random access of the sequence. In some embodiments, a random access point can contain different types of data. Such data can be defined, in some embodiments, in terms of picture count and/or time. In some embodiments, a random access point's data can comprise one or more of an entry point and a recovery point. These points effectively provide measures that a decoder can use to ascertain when its decoding activities will result in accurately and suitably decoded pictures.