A method of processing a coded digital signal including a set of information representing the digital signal, zones of the signal, and parameters used during the coding. The method includes, after reception of a request to obtain a selected part of the coded digital signal, the steps of locating the selected part in the digital signal from the set of information, determining internal zones contained entirely in the selected part of the digital signal from the set of information, decoding the internal zones, and retrieving the zones.