This Recommendation | International Standard specifies the coded representation of picture information for digital storage media and digital video communication and specifies the decoding process. The representation supports constant bitrate transmission@ variable bitrate transmission@ random access@ channel hopping@ scalable decoding@ bitstream editing@ as well as special functions such as fast forward playback@ fast reverse playback@ slow motion@ pause and still pictures. This Recommendation | International Standard is forward compatible with ISO/IEC 11172-2 and upward or downward compatible with EDTV@ HDTV@ SDTV formats. This Recommendation | International Standard is primarily applicable to digital storage media@ video broadcast and communication. The storage media may be directly connected to the decoder@ or via communications means such as busses@ LANs@ or telecommunications links.