Patent ID: 7263129

Claim:
A decoding control apparatus for controlling a process to decode encoded data obtained as a result of a predictive encoding process, said decoding control apparatus comprising: a picture detector for determining one or fewest possible pictures, which must be decoded first before decoding a picture to be displayed after an edit point set in said encoded data but are not to be displayed; a start-point finder for finding a start point representing a timing to start a process to decode said one or fewest possible pictures determined by said picture detector even though said one or fewest possible pictures are not to be displayed; a decoding controller for controlling processes, which are carried out by a plurality of decoders for decoding said encoded data in order to decode said encoded data, in picture units, on the basis of said start point; and a selector for selecting one of pictures, which are obtained as results of said processes carried out by said decoders, on the basis of said edit point and for outputting said selected picture.