In
video terminology, when
encoding in
MPEG video
GOP is the abbreviation for
Group Of Pictures.
In a motion sequence, GOPs are individual
frames of pictures that are grouped together and played
back so that the viewer registers the video's spatial motion. The GOP
allows editing and splicing of video material from different sources to allow
for rapid forward or reverse searching through sequences. An Open GOP will
contain some references from the previous GOP. A GOP is called a Closed GOP when
either there are no B_pictures immediately following the first I_picture or such
B_pictures haven't any references coming from the previous GOP.
Also see I-frame and
B-frame.