1. A method for predicting motion vectors for encoding enhancement layer video data, the method comprising the steps of upsampling a motion field of a base layer; assigning the motion vectors of the upsampled motion field to 16×16 macroblocks of an enhancement layer; generating motion vectors for 8×8 blocks from the motion vectors of 16×16 macroblocks, wherein the motion vectors for intra coded 8×8 blocks are interpolated from the motion vectors of four nearest inter coded 8×8 blocks; interpolating motion vectors of 4×4 blocks from the motion vectors of the 8×8 blocks; and performing an encoding mode decision; wherein for base layer skip mode, said 4×4 motion vectors are used as predictors.