<p>The present invention provides a method and apparatus for encoding video content into a novel temporal layered coding structure. In one embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of sub-sequence layers are defined in a layer hierarchy in accordance with the present invention. A plurality of images within a sub-sequence of a group of images are selectively assigned to a respective one of the sub-sequence layers. A grouping of images contained in any sequential combination of sub-sequence layers that includes a hierarchically lowest of the sub-sequence layers results in a group of images that temporally are substantially evenly spaced. A related method and apparatus for decoding the temporally layered video content are also disclosed.</p>
