A system and method for decoding high definition video content using multiple processors reduces the likelihood of dropping video frames. Each of the multiple processors produces and stores a portion of a decoded video frame in its dedicated frame buffer. A region of a reference frame that is needed to produce a first portion of a decoded video frame, but that is not stored in the frame buffer coupled to the processor that will decode the first portion, is copied to the frame buffer. The size of the region needed may vary based on a maximum possible motion vector offset. The size of the region that is copied may be dynamic and based on a maximum motion vector offset for each particular reference frame.