Bi-directional indices for trick mode video-on-demand

A method of storing digital video content to facilitate trick play, the content comprising intra-coded frames of video and inter-coded frames of video, the method comprising:

• storing the inter-coded frames of the content in a first file;
• storing the intra-coded frames of the content in a second file;
• storing a set of forward indices that relate the intra-coded frames to the inter-coded frames in a forward direction such that playback of the second file in the order of the forward indices simulates a fast-forward playback;
• and
• storing a set of reverse indices that relate the intra-coded frames to the inter-coded frames in a reverse direction such that playback of the second file in the order of the reverse indices simulates a fast-reverse playback.

A video method, comprising:

• retrieving inter-coded video from a first file;
• retrieving intra-coded video from a second file;
• and
• assembling the inter-coded video with the intra-coded video to produce an assembled selection of video content.

A computer readable storage device for storage and retrieval of digital video content, comprising:

• a computer readable storage device;
• a first file residing on the storage device storing inter-coded frames of the digital video content;
• a second file residing on the storage device storing intra-coded frames of the digital video content;
• an index table stored on the storage device that relate the intra-coded frames in the first file with the intra-coded frames in the second file, such that playback of the second file simulates a fast-forward playback if played back in a first order and simulates a fast rewind if played back in a second order.

A computer readable storage device for storage and retrieval of digital video content, comprising:

• at least one computer readable storage medium;
• a first file residing on the storage medium storing inter-coded frames of the digital video content;
• a second file residing on the storage medium storing intra-coded frames of the digital video content in a second file;
• a forward index table residing on the storage medium that relates the intra-coded frames to the inter-coded frames in a forward direction such that playback of the second file in the order of the forward indices simulates a fast-forward playback;
• and
• a reverse index table residing on the storage medium that relates the intra-coded frames to the inter-coded frames in a reverse direction such that playback of the second file in the order of the reverse indices simulates a fast-reverse playback.