Trick-mode stream creation for personal video recording functions

A method and system respond to a user request for trick-mode play. A decoding device conveys the request to a device for storing a video stream. A current point location in the memory is frozen and the pointer is set back by a preselected back track distance. Then a search for a first target header is begun. The target header is either a sequence or GOP (group of pictures) header. When a target header is found, a data segment is selected which includes the target header. This is the start of the trick-mode stream. Further target headers are sought and further data accessed until a full trick-mode stream has been generated.