Apparatus and methods for using a linear memory model for encoder output buffering are disclosed. The apparatus and method effect linear memory output buffering by dividing an encoder operation having N sequential frames to be encoded by an encoder into N encoder operations each designated for a single frame transmission, such as in the case of extended frame transmissions having multiple frames. Bits of the N encoder operations are then sequentially buffered in an encoder output buffer, wherein bits of each buffered encoder operation of the N encoder operations are read out of the buffer to a multiplexer engine while bits of a next encoder operation of the N encoder operations is being stored in the encoder output buffer.