Abstract: A method of decoding MPEG coded digital data, received in a forward reproduction order in least one Group Of Pictures (GOP) according to the MPEG standard, for producing decoded pictures for display in reverse playback order. Tho this purpose a limited number of decoded frames is temporarily stored while repeatedly same coded picture data is retrieved in a forward reproduction order to produce decoded picture data, employing the decoded temporarily stored picture data. This has as an advantage that the amount of temporarily storage capacity required, approximately equals the amount required for forward playback. In a specific embodiment, wherein the MPEG data cotains either NTSC GOPs or PAL GOPs, only temporarily storage capacity of four picture frames is required in case of reverse playback, compared with three in case of forward playback.