A method and apparatus are disclosed for detecting scene cuts in a video bitstream. The number of coded macroblocks for each of a plurality of potential scene cuts is determined. The number of predicted macroblocks for each of the plurality of potential scene cuts is determined. A ratio of the number of coded macroblocks to the number of predicted macroblocks for each of a plurality frames corresponding to the potential scene cuts is then calculated. A frame having the desired ratio is selected. The ratio of the selected frame is compared to a threshold value. A scene cut is reported as detected responsive to a determination that the ratio of the selected frame satisfies the threshold value.