A method of processing video information in a statistical multiplexing system, the method comprising: encoding received video information, the encoded video information having an encoded video bitrate, wherein the encoded video bitrate is variable in response to the complexity of the received video information; buffering the encoded video information in a buffer, wherein the size of the buffer is controlled in response to the complexity of the received video information, and wherein a threshold encoded video bitrate is defined by the size of the buffer; reducing the size of the buffer to allow the encoding to be performed using a low encoded video bitrate, the low encoded video bitrate being less than the threshold encoded video bitrate; encoding the received video information using the low encoded video bitrate; detecting the receipt of new video information having a higher complexity such that it will be encoded at a video bitrate greater than or equal to the threshold encoded video bitrate, and in response to a positive detection thereof increasing the size of the buffer prior to encoding the new video information, wherein the size of the buffer is increased during a look-ahead period, and wherein the new video information having a higher complexity such that it will be encoded at a video bitrate greater than or equal to the threshold encoded video bitrate will be encoded at the end of the look-ahead period; and at the end of the look-ahead period, encoding the new video information having a higher complexity at a video bitrate greater than or equal to the threshold encoded video bitrate; the method characterized by: wherein the look-ahead period is calculated according to the equation L ≥ ( BMin - LeastBMin) ∗ delay /( T - LeastBMin), where: BMin is the value of the threshold encoded bitrate; LeastBMin is the value of the low encoded bit rate; delay is the value of a coding delay in the system, being the time taken for the video information to be processed through the encoder and decoder buffer; and T is a threshold. encoding received video information, the encoded video information having an encoded video bitrate, wherein the encoded video bitrate is variable in response to the complexity of the received video information; buffering the encoded video information in a buffer, wherein the size of the buffer is controlled in response to the complexity of the received video information, and wherein a threshold encoded video bitrate is defined by the size of the buffer; reducing the size of the buffer to allow the encoding to be performed using a low encoded video bitrate, the low encoded video bitrate being less than the threshold encoded video bitrate; encoding the received video information using the low encoded video bitrate; detecting the receipt of new video information having a higher complexity such that it will be encoded at a video bitrate greater than or equal to the threshold encoded video bitrate, and in response to a positive detection thereof increasing the size of the buffer prior to encoding the new video information, wherein the size of the buffer is increased during a look-ahead period, and wherein the new video information having a higher complexity such that it will be encoded at a video bitrate greater than or equal to the threshold encoded video bitrate will be encoded at the end of the look-ahead period; and at the end of the look-ahead period, encoding the new video information having a higher complexity at a video bitrate greater than or equal to the threshold encoded video bitrate; the method characterized by: wherein the look-ahead period is calculated according to the equation L ≥ ( BMin - LeastBMin) ∗ delay /( T - LeastBMin), where: BMin is the value of the threshold encoded bitrate; LeastBMin is the value of the low encoded bit rate; delay is the value of a coding delay in the system, being the time taken for the video information to be processed through the encoder and decoder buffer; and T is a threshold. BMin is the value of the threshold encoded bitrate; LeastBMin is the value of the low encoded bit rate; delay is the value of a coding delay in the system, being the time taken for the video information to be processed through the encoder and decoder buffer; and T is a threshold.