An apparatus for recording a sequence of video data signals on a record carrier includes input structure for receiving video data signals, generating structure for generating characteristic point information signals, processing structure for processing the characteristic point information signals for a plurality of characteristic points into a sequence of characteristic points information signals (CPI) and writing structure for writing the sequence of video data signals and the sequence of characteristic points information signals on the record carrier. The characteristic point information signals identify a characteristic point in the sequence of video data signals. Various measures are proposed in relation to the CPI aiming at providing compact way of storing information related to a size of I-pictures.