A method for switching between a first bitstream and a second bitstream, wherein said second bitstream provides a higher data rate than said first bitstream, said method comprising: identifying a switching up period associated with said first and second bitstreams; establishing a third bitstream (206, 208) during said switching up period, said third bitstream (206, 208) being configured to carry additional data associated with a switch up from said first bitstream to said second bitstream; and switching up from said first bitstream to said second bitstream during said switching up period, characterized in that said first bitstream comprises first encoded data for a plurality of frames within a video sequence, said first encoded data being at least partially transmitted in a base layer portion of said first bitstream and a portion of said first encoded data being further transmitted in an enhanced layer portion of said first bitstream, and said second bitstream comprises second encoded data for said plurality of frames within said video sequence, said second encoded data being at least partially transmitted in a base layer portion of said second bitstream and a portion of said second encoded data is further transmitted in an enhanced layer portion of said second bitstream, wherein said first encoded data transmitted in said base layer portion of said first bitstream and said second encoded data transmitted in said base layer portion of said second bitstream are not generated independent of one another and at least a portion of motion vector data associated with said second encoded data is also operatively associated with said first encoded data, and wherein said first encoded data transmitted in said base layer portion of said first bitstream are based on reconstructed frame data using at least said second encoded data transmitted in said base layer portion of said second bitstream and represent a difference between said reconstructed frame data and temporal prediction data. identifying a switching up period associated with said first and second bitstreams; establishing a third bitstream (206, 208) during said switching up period, said third bitstream (206, 208) being configured to carry additional data associated with a switch up from said first bitstream to said second bitstream; and switching up from said first bitstream to said second bitstream during said switching up period, characterized in that said first bitstream comprises first encoded data for a plurality of frames within a video sequence, said first encoded data being at least partially transmitted in a base layer portion of said first bitstream and a portion of said first encoded data being further transmitted in an enhanced layer portion of said first bitstream, and said second bitstream comprises second encoded data for said plurality of frames within said video sequence, said second encoded data being at least partially transmitted in a base layer portion of said second bitstream and a portion of said second encoded data is further transmitted in an enhanced layer portion of said second bitstream, wherein said first encoded data transmitted in said base layer portion of said first bitstream and said second encoded data transmitted in said base layer portion of said second bitstream are not generated independent of one another and at least a portion of motion vector data associated with said second encoded data is also operatively associated with said first encoded data, and wherein said first encoded data transmitted in said base layer portion of said first bitstream are based on reconstructed frame data using at least said second encoded data transmitted in said base layer portion of said second bitstream and represent a difference between said reconstructed frame data and temporal prediction data.