A method of buffering, at a decoder, a segment (320′) of an encoded data stream (300′), the segment (320′) being arranged in hierarchical layers comprising a base layer segment (320-0) and an enhancement layer segment (320-1′), the base layer segment (320-0) being decodable to a base level of reproduction quality (LOQ#6), and the enhancement layer segment (320-1′), together with the base layer segment (320-0), being decodable to an enhanced level of reproduction quality (LOQ#1), the method comprising the steps of: receiving the encoded data stream (300′) for a prescribed time period so as to buffer the base layer segment (320-0) and as much of the enhancement layer segment (320-1′) as possible in the prescribed time period (P); and sending the buffered base layer segment (320-0) and what is received of the enhancement layer segment (320-1′) to a decoder for decoding and output.