This practice defines the mapping of vertical ancillary (V-ANC) data packets within MPEG-2 video elementary streams conforming to the framework provided by SMPTE 328M. The purpose of this practice is to provide a method of mapping V-ANC data packets through the 8-bit interface provided by SMPTE 328M and to provide guidance for data coding to prevent the false creation of MPEG-2 video elementary stream start marker bit sequences. Although this practice refers to bit-serial interfaces, the description can be equally applied to the equivalent parallel interfaces.