a system and method for processing a stream of video image data so as to create a video representation that multiplexes data corresponding to resolution or bitstream scales . this representation is such that the identity of the basic macroblock structure of the mpeg - 1 iso standard is preserved across all resolution and bitstream scales , e . g . by scaling across four levels of resolution . a macroblock is associated with a series of attributes which contribute to the amount of overhead data incorporated in an mpeg - 1 compressed data stream , so that by preserving the macroblock identify across multiple resolutions and bitstream scales , these scales can share this overhead , thus requiring it to be included only once in the data stream . preserving the macroblock identify also simplifies significantly the derivation of motion estimation vector data for all resolution scales other than the highest resolution . essentially , the motion vector data corresponding to any resolution scales can be derived from the highest resolution motion vector by appropriately scaling it down . alternatively , the full resolution motion vectors can be derived by appropriate scale up of lower resolution motion vectors . further , the methodology for coding a macroblock is also preserved .