In the case of a method for decoding a data stream a first decoding means (DR2) is provided which is configured to decode from a data stream in a first data stream format at least two units of user data, wherein for decoding the second unit of the at least two units at least partial information from the first unit of the at least two units is used. Likewise reference data is provided and subsequently the first decoding means (DR2) is initialized with the information from the reference data. The data stream in the first data stream format is supplied to the first decoding means and decoded into at least one unit of user data using the information from the reference data.