Abstract: A multiplexed packetized data stream carrying real-time multimedia programs is received at a first hardware demultiplexer. Based on a user input, a video and timing portion of a program associated with the multiplexed packetized data stream can be stored for subsequent display. One type of subsequent display is time shifted display, where the stored portion of the program is played back while new portions of the program are being stored. During time shifted play back, a second hardware demultiplexer can be used, so that one demultiplexer stores new data and maintains a current clock value while the other decodes and displays the stored data.

Abstract: In accordance with a specific aspect of the present invention, a compressed video stream, such as an MPEG-2 video stream, is received by a transport demultiplexor, synchronized, parsed into separate packet types, and written to buffer locations external the demultiplexor. Adaptation field is handled by a separate parser. In addition, primary elementary stream data can be handled by separate primary elementary stream parsers based upon the packet identifier of the primary elementary stream. Video packets can be parsed based upon stream identifier values. Specific packets of data are stored in one or more system memory or video memory buffers by an output controller based upon allocation table information. Private data associated with specific elementary streams or packet adaptation fields are repacketized, and written to an output buffer location. In specific implementations, the hardware associated with the system is used to acquire the data stream without any knowledge of the specific protocol of the stream.

Abstract: A system and methods are described for processing digital audio stream data from received transport streams. A transport stream parser identifies particular transport packets related to audio stream data. The transport stream parser enables audio parser and provides packet identifiers of the particular transport packets to the audio parser. The audio parser selects the particular transport packets from a transport stream. The audio parser discards transport packets not related to specific audio types and provides packetized elementary stream audio data to an audio decoding system. The packetized elementary audio stream data is processed into an I2S elementary stream and decoded into pulse-coded modulation (PCM) audio data for output through an external audio receiver, such as through a digital to analog converter. The packetized elementary stream data and I2S elementary stream data are also stored in memory for playback requests generated by the audio decoding system at a later time.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for synchronizing the presentation of audio data with video data. Audio transport packets are received through a demultiplexer from a multimedia transport stream. A transport stream synchronization manager is used to lock a system time clock, local to the demultiplexer, to a program clock reference provided through the multimedia transport stream. Presentation time stamps are provided with the audio transport packets to indicate when decoded audio data is to be output. A packetized elementary stream synchronization manager maintains synchronization by adding or dropping audio packets from the audio transport packets. If the packetized elementary stream manager is unable to acquire synchronization it must defer synchronization back to the transport stream synchronization manager. Otherwise, processed audio packets are passed to an elementary stream synchronization manager that attempts to synchronize the delivery of audio data through a sample rate conversion of the audio data.

Abstract: A system and methods are shown for generating a transport stream. An application reads a transport stream file stored in memory. The application provides access to the transport stream file to a graphics card using a multimedia peripheral port (MPP). The MPP is used to provide data from the transport stream file to a transport stream demultiplexer. The application determines a desired transmission rate from the data present between program clock references in the transport stream file. The application suspends transmissions to the transport stream demultiplexer to allow a transmission bit-rate to match the desired bit-rate. The application also suspends transmission when the receiving transport demultiplexer determines its buffers are nearly full.

Abstract: A system and methods are provided for presenting processed audio data and processed video data to corresponding outputs in a synchronized manner. Video and audio data from a multimedia stream are received by a processing system. The video data is processed through a video processor. The audio data is processed through an audio processor. Processed audio data is stored in memory through a VIP data port. A bus-master engine is used to delay a transfer of the audio data from memory to an output port. The delay is determined so as to allow video data enough time to be processed and output in synchronous with the audio data transferred from memory. Once the delay has been overcome, the bus-master asserts a trigger in the data bus to initiate the transfer from memory to the output port.

Abstract: A system and methods are provided for a controlled transfer of a portion of a data stream between a digital storage media and a corresponding stream decoder. A data stream stored in digital storage media is accessed through an application. A FIFO is used to provide a buffer to the stream decoder. The application monitors the FIFO to determine when to send data related to the data stream from the digital storage media. The data is transferred to the buffer and passed to the stream decoder. A counter is used for dictating a period of time between sending segments of the data stored in the FIFO to the stream decoder. The rate of transfer to the stream decoder is adjusted through the counter to match a desired bit-rate associated with the data stream.

Abstract: A system and methods are shown for accommodating high-speed data retention. Multimedia packetized stream data packets are received through a receiving hardware system. Program Specific Information and System Information data tables describing the programs and information in the packetized stream are sent as section packets within the packetized stream. Various fields are included with the section packets describing such information as the portion of the data table represented, the type of data table represented, and the version of the table represented. A host system configures the section parser to identify and pass only the section packets with the fields it specifies. The section parser then compares the fields to the configured values and determines whether to pass the packets to the host system or to discard the packets. Accordingly, processing overhead conventionally left to the host system is performed through the section parser.

Abstract: A system and methods are shown for generating a transport stream. An application reads a transport stream file stored in memory. The application provides access to the transport stream file to a graphics card using a multimedia peripheral port (MPP). The MPP is used to provide data from the transport stream file to a transport stream demultiplexer. The application determines a desired transmission rate from the data present between program clock references in the transport stream file. The application suspends transmissions to the transport stream demultiplexer to allow a transmission bit-rate to match the desired bit-rate. The application also suspends transmission when the receiving transport demultiplexer determines its buffers are nearly full.

Abstract: A system and methods are shown for accommodating high-speed data retention. Multimedia packetized stream data packets are received through a receiving hardware system. Program Specific Information and System Information data tables describing the programs and information in the packetized stream are sent as section packets within the packetized stream. Various fields are included with the section packets describing such information as the portion of the data table represented, the type of data table represented, and the version of the table represented. A host system configures the section parser to identify and pass only the section packets with the fields it specifies. The section parser then compares the fields to the configured values and determines whether to pass the packets to the host system or to discard the packets. Accordingly, processing overhead conventionally left to the host system is performed through the section parser.

Abstract: A system and methods are shown for providing access of specific hardware components and an operating system through a collection of highly transportable drivers. Commands generated by an application are received through the collection of highly transportable drivers. The drivers represent the generated commands using sets of function calls. The function call's access functions are available in sets of platform dependent drivers. The platform dependent drivers provide access to specific system components using the functions, allowing the generated commands to be used for a variety of hardware and operating system types. The hardware and operating system can be altered without altering or replacing the highly transportable drivers.

Abstract: Systems and a method are described for providing protected video data to a video decoder. A network interface module receives an encrypted multimedia transport stream. The network interface module decrypts the protected multimedia transport stream. The multimedia transport stream is then re-encrypted using an encryption scheme known by a video decoder. The re-encrypted multimedia transport stream is sent to a video decoder over a peripheral component interconnect data bus. The video decoder decrypts the re-encrypted multimedia transport stream and processes video and audio data associated with the multimedia transport stream.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for synchronizing the presentation of audio data with video data. Audio transport packets are received through a demultiplexer from a multimedia transport stream. A transport stream synchronization manager is used to lock a system time clock, local to the demultiplexer, to a program clock reference provided through the multimedia transport stream. Presentation time stamps are provided with the audio transport packets to indicate when decoded audio data is to be output. A packetized elementary stream synchronization manager maintains synchronization by adding or dropping audio packets from the audio transport packets. If the packetized elementary stream manager is unable to acquire synchronization it must defer synchronization back to the transport stream synchronization manager. Otherwise, processed audio packets are passed to an elementary stream synchronization manager that attempts to synchronize the delivery of audio data through a sample rate conversion of the audio data.

Abstract: A system and methods are provided for a controlled transfer of a portion of a data stream between a digital storage media and a corresponding stream decoder. A data stream stored in digital storage media is accessed through an application. A FIFO is used to provide a buffer to the stream decoder. The application monitors the FIFO to determine when to send data related to the data stream from the digital storage media. The data is transferred to the buffer and passed to the stream decoder. A counter is used for dictating a period of time between sending segments of the data stored in the FIFO to the stream decoder. The rate of transfer to the stream decoder is adjusted through the counter to match a desired bit-rate associated with the data stream.

Abstract: A system and methods are provided for presenting processed audio data and processed video data to corresponding outputs in a synchronized manner. Video and audio data from a multimedia stream are received by a processing system. The video data is processed through a video processor. The audio data is processed through an audio processor. Processed audio data is stored in memory through a VIP data port. A bus-master engine is used to delay a transfer of the audio data from memory to an output port. The delay is determined so as to allow video data enough time to be processed and output in synchronous with the audio data transferred from memory. Once the delay has been overcome, the bus-master asserts a trigger in the data bus to initiate the transfer from memory to the output port.

Abstract: A system and methods are described for processing digital audio stream data from received transport streams. A transport stream parser identifies particular transport packets related to audio stream data. The transport stream parser enables audio parser and provides packet identifiers of the particular transport packets to the audio parser. The audio parser selects the particular transport packets from a transport stream. The audio parser discards transport packets not related to specific audio types and provides packetized elementary stream audio data to an audio decoding system. The packetized elementary audio stream data is processed into an I2S elementary stream and decoded into pulse-coded modulation (PCM) audio data for output through an external audio receiver, such as through a digital to analog converter. The packetized elementary stream data and I2S elementary stream data are also stored in memory for playback requests generated by the audio decoding system at a later time.