A method of writing image data files to frame storage means, implemented as an array of disks, on which image data is stored as contiguous clips of frames. A remote system transmits a plurality of data packets over a network in any order, the data packets constituting a plurality of image data files. A local system connected to the frame storage means receives the data packets from the remote system and stores them in a buffer so as to arrange the image data files in a display sequence order. The local system then writes the image data files to the frame storage means as a contiguous clip of frames.