<p>A digital video recording system (10) includes a video camera (12) directed at a scene of interest to continuously view the scene and generate video images (F) of the scene. An image processor (14) is configured to compare the video image (F) with a previously established reference image (Fr) of the scene to determine if changes have occurred. The image processor includes a memory (20) in which portions of video images (F) are stored, together with the time and date information as to when the image was acquired. A video playback capability (30) allows the memory to be accessed to retrieve the portions of the video images for image reconstruction. The playback system enables the memory to be accessed at any desired date and time location so an image of interest can be reconstructed without having to scan stored video images in a date/time sequence. Accessing the memory is done without interrupting the image processor's processing of currently acquired video images.</p>
