A video decoder receives an entry point key frame comprising first and second interlaced video fields and decodes a first syntax element comprising information (e.g., frame coding mode) for the entry point key frame at a first syntax level (e.g., frame level) in a bitstream. The first interlaced video field is a predicted field, and the second interlaced video field is an intra-coded field. The information for the entry point key frame can be a frame coding mode (e.g., field interlace) for the entry point key frame. The decoder can decode a second syntax element at the first syntax level comprising second information (e.g., field type for each of the first and second interlaced video fields) for the entry point key frame.