1. A method for creating an enhanced multi-layer bitstream, said method comprising: a) receiving a scalable, multi-layer representation of a video sequence; b) determining a first bitrate characteristic of a layer of said sequence, wherein said first bitrate characteristic relates to a non-scalable, single-layer representation of said layer as encoded with a first entropy encoder; c) determining a second bitrate characteristic of said layer of said sequence, wherein said second bitrate characteristic relates to said non-scalable, single-layer representation of said layer as encoded with a second entropy encoder; and d) attaching a bitrate characteristic message characterizing said first characteristic and said second bitrate characteristic to said scalable, multi-layer representation to form an enhanced scalable representation.