Abstract: A data streaming system and method are described. A server (10) is arranged to stream one of a plurality of encoded data streams to a client (40, 50, 60). Each of the plurality of data streams is an independent representation of a common data source encoded at a different resolution to the other of the plurality of data streams. The server (10) comprises a transmitter (100) and a first buffer (120). The transmitter is arranged to transmit data packets of the encoded data stream to the client (40, 50, 60) via the first buffer (120). The transmitter (100) is arranged to monitor the content of the first buffer (120) and switch to transmit another of the plurality of data streams in the event that predetermined criteria are detected from the first buffer (120).

Abstract: A data structure for storing a data source for a streaming system, the data source including a plurality of encoded data streams, each of the plurality of data streams being an independent representation of data from the data source encoded at a different resolution to the other of the plurality of data streams, the data structure comprising a header (600-680), a stream data structure (700) for each of the encoded data streams and one or more packets (800) of the encoded data streams, the header (600-680) being linked to one of the stream data structures (700), wherein each stream data structure (700) includes a header (705, 740, 750), a link (710) to a next stream data structure and a link (720) to a first packet of the encoded data stream.