A media data control method performed by a server apparatus, characterized by comprising: receiving a control request message sent by a terminal, wherein the control request message carries identification information of a substream and a uniform resource identifier URI of a media stream to which the substream belongs; wherein, the control request message is a real time streaming protocol, RTSP, PLAY request message or a RTSP PAUSE request message; obtaining the identification information of the substream and the URI of the media stream to which the substream belongs; determining, according to the identification information of the substream and the URI of the media stream to which the substream belongs, media data of the substream; and performing, based on the media data, a control operation requested by the terminal, for the substream; wherein, the control operation is play control or pause control; wherein before the receiving a control request message sent by a terminal, the method further comprises: receiving a description information request message sent by the terminal; and returning a response message carrying substream declaration information to the terminal, so that the terminal obtains the identification information of the substream according to the substream declaration information; or wherein before the receiving a control request message sent by the terminal, the method further comprises: receiving a RTSP SETUP request message sent by the terminal, wherein the RTSP SETUP request message carries a substream control feature tag; obtaining the substream control feature tag; and, if the substream control feature tag is capable of being identified correctly, returning a response message that carries information indicating that substream control is supported to the terminal, so that the terminal initiates substream control; otherwise, returning a response message that carries information indicating that substream control is not supported to the terminal. receiving a control request message sent by a terminal, wherein the control request message carries identification information of a substream and a uniform resource identifier URI of a media stream to which the substream belongs; wherein, the control request message is a real time streaming protocol, RTSP, PLAY request message or a RTSP PAUSE request message; obtaining the identification information of the substream and the URI of the media stream to which the substream belongs; determining, according to the identification information of the substream and the URI of the media stream to which the substream belongs, media data of the substream; and performing, based on the media data, a control operation requested by the terminal, for the substream; wherein, the control operation is play control or pause control; wherein before the receiving a control request message sent by a terminal, the method further comprises: receiving a description information request message sent by the terminal; and returning a response message carrying substream declaration information to the terminal, so that the terminal obtains the identification information of the substream according to the substream declaration information; or wherein before the receiving a control request message sent by the terminal, the method further comprises: receiving a RTSP SETUP request message sent by the terminal, wherein the RTSP SETUP request message carries a substream control feature tag; obtaining the substream control feature tag; and, if the substream control feature tag is capable of being identified correctly, returning a response message that carries information indicating that substream control is supported to the terminal, so that the terminal initiates substream control; otherwise, returning a response message that carries information indicating that substream control is not supported to the terminal.