A method and mechanism for repositioning video images in a compressed data stream without requiring bit shifting. A P frame image is to be repositioned from an original position to an alternate position. The P frame image data is analyzed (1102) to determine whether the repositioning will result in the image data bit positions being changed with respect to the original image (1106). In response to determining the bit positions will be changed, the original image data is modified by adding stuffing bits in the form of a stuffing macroblock to restore the image data to its original bit positions. The P frame is intra-coded and the stuffing macroblock (1114) is non-intra coded. A non-intra quantization matrix is selected such that upon decode the stuffing macroblock data does not adversely affect the final picture. Maintaining the original bits positions of the image data facilitates a straightforward copy of unmodified data from the original P frame to the new P frame.