Selection of I-frames for client-side watermarking

A system comprising:

• a first encoder adapted to generate a compressed video stream including an Intra-Frame (I-Frame) and a plurality of associated frames referencing the I-Frame;
• a watermarking system adapted to generate a watermarked I-Frame corresponding to the I-Frame in the compressed video stream that is watermarked with a sample watermark similar to an actual watermark to be used for client-side watermarking;
• a second encoder adapted to encode the plurality of associated frames referencing the I-Frame based on the watermarked I-Frame to provide a plurality of encoded video frames;
• a decoder adapted to decode the plurality of associated frames referencing the I-Frame based on the watermarked I-Frame to provide a plurality of decoded video frames;
• an error calculation function adapted to:
• compare the decoded plurality of associated frames referencing the I-Frame based on the watermarked I-Frame with raw digital video input to determine an error;
• and
• determine a combined error value for the plurality of decoded video frames based on the comparison;
• and
• a decision function adapted to determine whether to select the I-Frame as an I-Frame to be used for client-side watermarking based on the combined error value.