Abstract: A dynamic random access memory (DRAM) for use in MPEG decoding includes d devices each having r rows and c columns with b bits per cell and p samples, where b*d is divisible by 8 and r*c is larger than a sum of upstream buffers in bytes and either 2 or 3 times 1.5*1*p divided by (b*d/8). First and second reference picture components are organized first along a depth axis (d) and then along rows (r) with complete lines of a component occupying the same row with the memory region occupied by each component being rectangular and third reference signal components are organized first along a depth axis and then along rows and occupying a largest possible part of each row in multiples of 8*(8/(b*d)).

Abstract: Data transfer and timing in an external DRAM memory of an MPEG decoder utilizes a repetitive pattern for synchronous writing and reading of data and data refresh including a sequence header at the beginning of a picture, a macroblock header for each of the macroblocks of a picture, and a plurality of repetitions of block decoding after each macroblock header decode.

Abstract: An MPEG decoder which distributes the processing load to a plurality of processors and units including an external memory and a bus interface unit, a de-multiplexing data processor, an image data processor, an inverse transform and reconstruction processor, and a prediction calculation unit. A video post-processing unit generates video data, and a serial port unit provides an output for audio data.