Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides a method performed by a de-multiplexer that is coupled to a front-end stream buffer and a plurality of back-end video buffers. The front-end stream buffer is configured to buffer a plurality of video data units of a video stream. The video stream includes a plurality of subordinate video streams interleaved therein. Each of the back-end video buffers is configured to buffer the video information contained in a corresponding one of the subordinate video streams. First, the de-multiplexer determines whether it is blocked from fetching the video information of a first video data unit buffered in the front-end stream buffer. Then, if being blocked, the de-multiplexer skips accessing the first video data unit and instead fetches the video information of a second video data unit buffered in the front-end stream buffer.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides a method performed by a de-multiplexer that is coupled to a front-end stream buffer and a plurality of back-end video buffers. The front-end stream buffer is configured to buffer a plurality of video data units of a video stream. The video stream includes a plurality of subordinate video streams interleaved therein. Each of the back-end video buffers is configured to buffer the video information contained in a corresponding one of the subordinate video streams. First, the de-multiplexer determines whether it is blocked from fetching the video information of a first video data unit buffered in the front-end stream buffer. Then, if being blocked, the de-multiplexer skips accessing the first video data unit and instead fetches the video information of a second video data unit buffered in the front-end stream buffer.

Abstract: A method for processing an interlaced stream includes: receiving the interlaced stream and auxiliary information that are transmitted, respectively, wherein the interlaced stream has a plurality of data streams interlaced therein, and the data streams include at least one encrypted data stream; and generating reference information, utilized for distinguishing between the data streams included in the interlaced stream, by referring to the received auxiliary information.

Abstract: Methods and systems for recording and searching data in a storage are disclosed. The method includes: receiving a digital data stream comprising a plurality of frames; encoding the frames of the digital data stream; grouping the encoded frames into a plurality of video frame units (VFUs), wherein each VFU has the same playback duration; and storing each VFU in a separate block in the storage. A data address corresponding to each VFU may be calculated or searched from a look-up table by a time-shift parameter when playing back the VFU stored in the storage.

Abstract: A method of transitioning from playback of time shifted multimedia data in a time shifted playback mode to playback of live multimedia data in a live playback mode includes buffering data corresponding to the live multimedia data in a buffer; storing data corresponding to the live multimedia data to a storage medium; calculating a next playback data block according to the time shifted playback mode; retrieving data corresponding to the next playback data block from the storage medium if the data corresponding to the next playback data block is available from the storage medium; and retrieving the data corresponding to the next playback data block from the buffer if the data corresponding to the next playback data block is not available from the storage medium but is available from the buffer.

Abstract: The present embodiments provide a program transferring method and an apparatus thereof. The method includes the following steps: selecting a program in a first storage medium; transferring the program from the first storage medium to a second storage medium; and generating a label for identifying the transferring status of the program.