A computerized system for representing a digital media using both a bit stream and an associated metadata includes a codec configured to encode the digital media to the bit stream. The codec is further configured to generate a metadata representation stream of the bit stream that encapsulates information embedded in the bit stream and at least one type of media-related information. The system also includes a manager configured to assure synchronization between the bit stream and the metadata representation stream during streaming of the bit stream and the metadata representation stream.