Decoding control apparatus for decoding predictive encoded data. A picture detector determines the fewest possible pictures which must be decoded first before decoding a picture which are to be displayed after an edit point. A start-point finder for finds the start point for decoding the fewest possible pictures determined by said picture detector even though those fewest pictures are not to be displayed. A plurality of decoders decode the encoded data in picture units, on the basis of the start point. A picture obtained by the decoders is selected on the basis of the edit point and output.