An information processing apparatus and method are disclosed by which data of the Open GOP structure can be edited while observing restrictions to a VBV Buffer. First and second sections including first and second editing points set to first and second compressed image data are decoded to produce first and second image data, respectively. The first and second image data are spliced together at the editing points and then re-encoded to produce re-encoded image data. Thereupon, the picture type of those pictures in the re-encoded image data which are positioned later in time in a display order than an I or P picture is not made different from that of pictures of the first and second compressed image data. Then, the first and second compressed image data and the re-encoded image data are switchably outputted to produce edited compressed image data.